Pests in Tourist Accommodation: How to Prevent Them, What to Do If They Appear, and How Much They Cost

A cockroach in the kitchen or a bed bug bite on a guest's arm is the kind of problem that can destroy months of 5-star reviews in a single night. And unlike other operational issues, there is no middle ground here: either you prevent it, or you pay triple later. In this post, we tell you which pests are most common in tourist homes in Spain, how much it costs to prevent them, what to do if they appear, and how to manage the negative review you will almost certainly receive.

Why are tourist homes magnets for pests

A tourist home has unique conditions that make it more vulnerable than a regular house:

• Constant turnover of people: each guest can unknowingly bring bed bugs in their luggage.
• Empty periods: when no one is there, pests settle in quietly.
• Forgotten food: leftovers in the fridge, crumbs under the sofa, trash not taken out between bookings.
• Quick cleaning: cleaning teams work against the clock and do not always check corners.
• Tourist locations: apartments in old areas of urban centers tend to have more cockroaches and mice due to the building structure.

And the worst: a review mentioning "insects" or "cockroaches" takes months to disappear from the top of your listing.

The most common pests in tourist rentals

Bed bugs (number 1 nightmare)

They are the worst. No exaggeration. Bed bugs travel in suitcases, backpacks, and clothes. A guest who came from an infested hotel can leave your apartment full without realizing it. And once they are there, they are very expensive and very difficult to eliminate.

Signs: black dots on mattress seams, blood stains on sheets, line of bites on the guest's arms and legs.

Cost of professional treatment: between 300 and 800 euros per property. Sometimes requires multiple sessions.

Cockroaches

In Spain, especially in warm areas (Andalusia, Levante, Canary Islands), cockroaches are a classic. They climb through pipes, enter through gaps, and appear at night in kitchens and bathrooms.

Treatment cost: between 80 and 200 euros per professional session.

Ants

Less serious but very annoying. They appear in spring and summer, especially if there are crumbs or sugar residues.

Cost: 40-100 euros or even solvable with over-the-counter products if it’s not a large infestation.

Mice and rats

More common in ground-floor apartments, rural houses, or old buildings. Besides the disgust, they chew cables and can cause short circuits.

Treatment cost: between 100 and 300 euros.

Mosquitoes

In coastal and humid inland areas, they are a headache in summer. It’s not exactly a "pest" but a frequent cause of negative reviews.

Solution: window screens (150-400 euros depending on size), anti-mosquito plugs, and fans.

Moths and woodworm

Less frequent in tourist rentals but can appear in wardrobes (clothes moths) or wooden beams (woodworm in rural houses).

Comparative table: prevention vs. treatment

Pest	Annual prevention cost	Reactive treatment cost	Impact on reviews
Bed bugs	50-100 euros (anti-bed bug covers)	300-800 euros	Devastating
Cockroaches	100-150 euros (gel + inspection)	80-200 euros per session	High
Ants	20-40 euros	40-100 euros	Medium
Mice	60-120 euros	100-300 euros	Very high
Mosquitoes	150-400 euros (screens)	Not applicable	Medium-high

Important notice: in many autonomous communities, treatments with professional biocides must be carried out by registered companies in the ROESB (Official Registry of Biocidal Establishments and Services). Do not use industrial products on your own: besides being illegal, you could intoxicate the next guest.

How to prevent pests before they appear

1. Seal cracks and gaps

Pests enter through places you wouldn’t imagine. Check:

• Baseboards and corners of the kitchen
• Under the sink (where cockroaches climb from the pipes)
• Ventilation grilles
• Window and door frames
• External outlets

Cost: 15-30 euros in silicone and putty. An afternoon’s work.

2. Anti-bed bug covers on mattresses and pillows

This is the most cost-effective investment you can make. A certified anti-bed bug cover costs 20-40 euros, lasts for years, and makes detecting bed bugs infinitely easier (they live in seams, with a cover they have nowhere to hide).

Combine it with checking the mattress between bookings. Also see our guide on mattresses in tourist accommodation.

3. Annual contract with a pest control company

Many owners hire an annual preventive service. It usually costs between 150 and 350 euros per year and includes 2-3 visits with perimeter treatment, gel in the kitchen, and a general inspection.

It’s by far the most peaceful option if you rent out the property all year.

4. Strict cleaning protocol

Your cleaning team is your first line of defense. Add to their checklist:

• Empty and clean the fridge after each departure
• Check kitchen drawers for residues
• Look under mattresses and sofas
• Take out all trash, always
• Check pantry (flour, cereals, rice) for moths

More on this in our guide to cleaning in tourist accommodation.

5. Mosquito screens (if you are in a coastal or rural area)

Non-negotiable. Install screens on windows and doors if you are in an area with mosquitoes. Guests value them highly and you avoid many complaints in summer.

6. Manage trash properly

Accumulated trash between bookings is the number 1 pest magnet. Ensure it is taken out at each checkout and that outdoor bins are well closed. More info in trash and recycling in tourist accommodation.

What to do if a guest reports a pest

This is the critical moment. How you handle it determines whether you get a 3-star or a 1-star review.

Step 1: Respond in less than 30 minutes

No matter the time. A guest who sees a cockroach running across their pillow at 2 am needs to know you are on it. Even if you cannot resolve it immediately, respond.

Step 2: Ask for photos and details

It’s important for three reasons:

1. Confirm what they say (sometimes guests confuse harmless bugs with pests).
2. Identify the pest to know what treatment to apply.
3. Documentation in case of reimbursement or dispute later.

Step 3: Offer an immediate solution

Depending on severity:

• Confirmed bed bugs: relocate the guest to another accommodation (nearby hotel) and offer a full refund. There is no other option. It’s very expensive but you cannot expose them to bringing bed bugs home.
• Occasional cockroaches: send someone with product as soon as possible. Apologize and offer a partial discount (10-30%).
• Ants or other minor insects: quick solution during the day, small compensation (a bottle of wine, a 10% discount).

Step 4: Treat the property before the next booking

Block the calendar if necessary. Call a professional and do a complete treatment. Never let other guests stay without resolving.

Step 5: Manage the review

If the guest leaves a negative review (very likely), respond calmly, acknowledging the problem and explaining what you have done to fix it. See our guide on managing negative reviews without losing your nerves.

Real cost: practical case of a bed bug infestation

A property owner in Malaga shared their case:

• Professional treatment (3 sessions): 650 euros
• Refund to affected guest: 380 euros (3 nights)
• Hotel night for reallocation: 120 euros
• Days blocked on the calendar for treatment (5 days in August): 750 euros lost income
• New mattress (for precaution): 300 euros
• Total incident cost: 2,200 euros

Compared to anti-bed bug covers (60 euros) and a preventive contract (250 euros per year) that would have avoided the problem.

Prevention by regions: where is the most risk

Area	Most common pests	Risk level
Andalusia coast	Cockroaches, mosquitoes, ants	High
Levante and Balearic Islands	Cockroaches, mosquitoes, bed bugs	High
Canary Islands	Cockroaches, American cockroach, ants	High
Madrid city center	Bed bugs (lots of tourism), cockroaches	Medium-high
Barcelona city center	Bed bugs, cockroaches	Very high
Northern peninsula	Mice (rural), moths	Medium
Rural interior areas	Mice, wasps, woodworm	Medium

Common mistakes that worsen the problem

• Using household insecticide and thinking it’s enough: supermarket sprays kill what you see, not the colony.
• Not informing the next guest: if you had an incident and did not close it properly, the complaint will repeat.
• Ignoring the first warning: the first cockroach never comes alone. If a guest sees one, dozens are hidden.
• Not inspecting after long empty periods: if the apartment is empty for 3 weeks in winter, check it before the next booking.
• Relying only on the cleaning team: they clean, they do not detect pests. Hire professional inspection 1-2 times a year.

How Autoregistro fits in

Autoregistro does not prevent pests (hopefully), but it frees up your time to focus on what really matters: inspecting your apartment, managing incidents, and responding quickly to guests.

Instead of wasting an hour at each check-in entering data into SES Hospedajes, the guest fills out an online form and the data goes directly to SES automatically. Costs 1 euro per month per property (less than a coffee) and handles the legal part so you can focus on operational matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to notify the next guest if I had a pest?

Legally no, as long as you have resolved the issue with certified professional treatment. Ethically, if it is recent and you want peace of mind, you can block the calendar for a few extra days.

Does my tourist property insurance cover pest damages?

Usually not. Pests are considered the owner’s responsibility due to lack of maintenance. Check your policy, but don’t expect coverage. More info at what insurances you need for your tourist rental.

Can I treat myself with products bought at the drugstore?

For very mild cases (some loose ants), yes. For real pests (cockroaches, bed bugs, mice), no. You need a registered company in ROESB, both for effectiveness and regulation.

How long does it take for a bed bug infestation to disappear?

Between 2 and 6 weeks with professional treatment in multiple sessions. During that time, the property should not be rented.

Can guests request a refund if they see a single cockroach?

They can request it, yes. And platforms (especially Airbnb) often side with the guest in these cases, with partial or full refunds depending on the case. That’s why it’s better for you to resolve it before it escalates to the platform.