Bed bugs found at four Las Vegas hotels in four months

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

An outbreak of bed bugs was discovered at a series of resort hotels along the Strip over the last four months — marking an ongoing problem for Sin City.

Inspectors from the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) found the pests at Encore, the Venetian, the Mirage and the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, 8 News Now reported, citing health records.

The popular tourist spots all lie within a four-mile stretch of one another.

The most recent reported incident occurred in December when one of Encore’s bed bug-sniffing dogs discovered a live bed bug in the room of a guest who filed a complaint. The room was immediately taken out of service.

Guest complaints at the other three locations, which occurred in September and October, led directly to the discovery of the tiny parasites in hotel rooms.

It’s not clear how the bed bugs made their way into the resorts or whether the discoveries are related.

The Nevada Resort Association told the local outlet that only four rooms across the four hotels were affected by the outbreak, which it called “extremely rare and isolated occurrences.”

“The minute number of incidents reflects the comprehensive and proactive health and safety measures and pest-control procedures Las Vegas resorts have in place to prevent and address issues,” said the NRA, speaking on behalf of all Strip hotels.

“Unfortunately, these pests can be transported anywhere unwittingly in luggage and clothing. While incredibly rare, when reported, our members take swift action in accordance with health and safety requirements.”

But bed bugs along the Las Vegas Strip were also discovered at seven other popular hotels between 2022 and 2023.

SNHD inspectors found the bugs at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Circus Circus, Palazzo, Tropicana, MGM Grand and Sahara, USA Today reported in August.

While the parasites are not known to spread disease, they feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep, causing itching that can lead to excessive scratching, which can increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

Bed bugs can survive several months without a blood meal, making it easy for the pests to hide in luggage, clothing and furniture, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Bed bugs have been found in five-star hotels and resorts and their presence is not determined by the cleanliness of the living conditions where they are found,” the CDC says.

Officials encourage guests to pull back their sheets and inspect their hotel beds before turning in for the night to avoid becoming a bed bug’s feast.