sos-pest-control

Bed Bugs Gone Airborne

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:00:39 GMT

Not even the sky is safe from bed bugs' reign of terror.

Though their name is misleading, bed bugs don’t just stick to bedding. Dark corners, warm fabrics, and just about any human or animal-occupied space can be a bed bug paradise. Furthermore, in a recent article from CBS News, we learn that these resilient pests don’t even stick to the ground—they were found boarded business class on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight, purchased through Delta Airlines SkyMiles program.

Having feelings of “bugs crawling on her and that she was being bitten”, Virginian Lisandra Garcia alerted a flight attendant, in fear that her family of four was being feasted upon. They were travelling from Atlanta to Amsterdam and were only met with demands to “keep their voices down” and to “not tell anyone about the infestation,” or else they would miss their connecting flight to Serbia.

But after they found bugs on their clothing and even bugs on an airline napkin—on top of being threatened—a $200,000 lawsuit was filed against Delta and KLM. The flight attendants allegedly gave the family plastic bags to carry their personal belongings. “Afterwards, the family claims they learned that the flight attendants had filed a grievance with KLM because of the infestation.” The ignorance of the issue at such a professional level shows just how invasive and detrimental a bed bug infestation can be.

After landing the next day, the lawsuit claims that the four were left with harsh welts, lesions, and rashes, which are shown in these supporting photos from the article.

"To this day, Mrs. Garcia has scars on her lower back where she was bitten."

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson from Delta stated that the allegations relate to flights not operated by Delta Air Lines. KLM has been contacted but has not yet made a statement.

Had the airline acted appropriately and taken the necessary precautions of treating the plane for pests, a lawsuit would have been avoided, a family would have flown injury and turmoil-free, and the company name would have skipped the harsh tainting.

After travelling, it is always smart to inspect your body, luggage, car, and pets for signs of bed bugs, and when you find something unwanted, call the pest control pros at SOS. They specialize in safe, non-toxic, and effective thermal heat treatment, able to treat your entire house—including inside your walls—in a matter of a few hours. With a 90-day pest-free guarantee, SOS Pest Control is your saving grace when bed bugs choose you for their in-flight snack.

If you are a commercial business owner, SOS has also treated and defended countless businesses from the same fate as Delta and KLM. Bed bugs can and will invade your commercial space, whether it be a warehouse, a storage unit, a doctor’s office, or a hair salon. But SOS arrives promptly and discreetly in unmarked vehicles so you can save your company’s name.

Serving any area within an hour of their headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, call SOS Pest Control at 816-237-5342 for a free inspection and peace of mind.

Don’t let pests invade your space and tank your business!

Bed Bugs’ Historical Hankering for Humans

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 18:38:17 GMT

“Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite” is a clever spin on the nightly farewell, but has its origin in an everlasting defense against what researchers now report as humans’ first urban pest.

Humans have fought— and lost—many battles against pesky insects and rodents throughout history. From plague-ridden rats in 14th-century Europe to the modern comorbid mosquito, millions of people have fallen to opponents a fraction of their size. But the earliest war has lasted over 245,000 years and is still fought today: Humans versus bed bugs.

A team of researchers at Virginia Tech studied the lineage of bed bugs and found that patterns in their activity coincided with the rise and fall of the human population over time. Though these findings admit the defeat of bed bug reign by humans, they can be used to predict future invasions as urban living develops, and to investigate the phenomenon of insecticide resistance in the determined bed bug species.

Though bed bugs first preferred cave-dwelling bat blood, a group of them jumped over to the Neanderthals in those same caves, and their palates have remained un-cleansed ever since. In fact, humans became the bed bug’s exclusive source of sustenance, a preference shared by only one other insect species—head lice. Just like you won’t find a family of lice at the local park, you won’t find bed bugs in your garden—only in your bed and other suitable dark spots in your home. Bed bugs have hitchhiked and set up camp amongst humans for centuries, just waiting for the perfect time to indulge in their human midnight snacks.

But there is good news. Bed bugs will not be the cause of any new plagues, as they cannot make humans sick. Though their bites, as well as their resilience, can be irritating, their harm is liminal, and there are easy methods for getting those lazy bones (or exoskeletons?) out of your bed. However, bed bugs are resistant to many residential chemicals, and consulting professionals is your best bet.

First, call SOS Pest Control for a FREE inspection. If they do bombard on a bed bug sleepover, their safe and effective heat treatment heats your home’s walls to rid of bed bugs from the inside out. This safe, effective, and damage-free process takes little time, and SOS’ unmarked vehicles ensure your neighborhood won’t be all up in your business (as for businesses, we will make sure the neighborhood is back up in you soon).

Call (816) 471-5733 today or visit online at soskc.com

Original article: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/05/bed-bug-whole-genome-human-lineage-warren-bo

Why Bed Bugs Are Becoming More Resistant — and What Kansas City Residents Should Know

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:08:50 GMT

Bed bugs have been a persistent problem for years, but lately, they’ve become even more difficult to eliminate. That’s because these pests are developing resistance to many common pesticides, making traditional treatments less effective.

According to a TIME article, bed bugs have been a persistent problem for years, but lately, they’ve become even more difficult to eliminate. That’s because these pests are developing resistance to many common pesticides, making traditional treatments less effective.

So how does pesticide resistance happen? Bed bugs can naturally develop genetic changes that help them survive exposure to insecticides. When pesticides are used repeatedly, the strongest bed bugs survive and reproduce, passing on this resistance to future generations. Additionally, their tough exoskeleton and behaviors like avoiding treated areas make chemical treatments less reliable.

According to FOX4 Kansas City, Kansas City has experienced a noticeable increase in bed bug cases. Factors like increased travel, warm weather, and high-density living environments contribute to their spread. Bed bugs easily hitch rides on luggage, clothing, and furniture, allowing them to move quickly between homes, hotels, and apartments.

What can you do to protect yourself?

1. When traveling, inspect hotel rooms carefully for signs of bed bugs and keep luggage off beds and floors.

2. Wash and dry clothing on high heat after trips.

3. Be vigilant for signs of infestation and contact a professional promptly if you suspect bed bugs.

At SOS Pest Control, we recognize the challenges posed by pesticide-resistant bed bugs. That’s why we offer advanced heat treatment solutions that eliminate bed bugs at all life stages without relying on chemicals. Our same-day heat treatments are safe, effective, and discreet, conducted with unmarked vehicles to minimize disruption.

If you’re in the Kansas City area and concerned about bed bugs, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Contact SOS Pest Control at 816-237-5342 or visit www.soskc.com to schedule a free inspection today!

Protect your home and family with expert help you can trust.

Links:

https://lnkd.in/grUyHJnq

https://lnkd.in/gExtd5_A

https://lnkd.in/gCSBuxNB

Hotels Face Growing Bed Bug Risks Amid Peak Travel Season

carley@kmgks.com (Carley Norton) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:24:40 GMT

Are bed bugs hitching a ride home in your luggage?

Even the cleanest hotels are vulnerable to bed bugs—especially during the summer rush of travelers crisscrossing the country. With suitcases coming and going, and guests checking in and out in rapid cycles, these pests are finding new homes in hotels both budget and luxury.

According to a recent USA Today article titled “Any hotel can have bed bugs. How travelers can avoid bringing them home,” experts emphasize that bed bugs aren’t tied to cleanliness but to human activity. “Bed bugs aren’t a reflection of cleanliness—they’re a reality of travel,” the article states.

Bed bugs travel by hitching rides on luggage, clothing, or personal items. Once inside a hotel room, they can hide in mattress seams, behind headboards, or in upholstered furniture—waiting for their next host. This makes high-traffic hotels especially susceptible.

The surge in summer travel has brought renewed attention to the risk of infestations. With the influx of summer travelers in full swing, bed bugs are hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and personal items, moving from guest to guest and room to room.

For hotel operators, this means proactive action is more important than ever. Hotels should implement early detection protocols, such as routine inspections and discreet monitoring tools. Rapid-response treatment options that don’t disrupt guests are critical.

SOS Pest Control's approach includes same-day heat treatments that are non-toxic and discreet, conducted with unmarked vehicles to avoid alarming guests. Because your guests should leave with memories, not bed bugs.

According to the USA Today report, travelers can protect themselves by:

Placing suitcases on luggage racks instead of beds or carpets
Inspecting the bed, headboard, and surrounding furniture for small reddish-brown bugs or black dots (droppings)
Washing and drying clothes on high heat after travel

Even if hotels take all the right steps, prevention is a shared responsibility between guests and management.

“Wherever there are people, there’s potential for bed bugs,” said Dr. Brittany Campbell, entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, in the USA Today article.

SOS Pest Control warns that bed bugs can follow guests home and remain hidden for long periods. We recommend travelers inspect luggage before reentering their homes and seek professional help at the first sign of an infestation.

If you’re a hotel manager in the Kansas City area, you can contact SOS Pest Control at www.soskc.com or call 816-237-5342.

Article link: USA TODAY

Las Vegas Hotels Face Bed Bug Heat

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 21:17:32 GMT

New Lawsuits Against Las Vegas Hotels for Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs have been reported in two hotels in Las Vegas, NV, according to lawsuits filed by three guests.

On April 21, three lawsuits were filed against the Luxor Hotel and Casino and Treasure Island, stemming from alleged bed bug infestations that occurred during guests’ stays last summer. Three individuals are suing the Luxor, while one has filed suit against Treasure Island.

Attorney Brian Virag, who is representing the plaintiffs, emphasized the hotels' legal responsibility to provide safe and sanitary accommodations.

“The hotel operator has a responsibility to make sure that the room is bed bug-free,” Virag said.

According to court documents, the guests claim they suffered numerous bed bug bites that left permanent scars on their bodies.

Virag also stressed the importance of proper training for hotel staff.

“Housekeeping has to be thoroughly trained,” he said. “They need to know how to inspect and must do a diligent job before turning the room over to the next guest.”

Virag shared photos and videos related to the incident with 8 News Now in Las Vegas, highlighting the extent of the issue.

Source MYBEDBUGLAWYER INC

“They typically bite in linear patterns. We call it ‘breakfast, lunch, and dinner,’” said attorney Virag, referencing the telltale signs of bed bug bites.

A lawsuit has been filed against Treasure Island Hotel by Teresa Bruce, a Los Angeles resident who stayed at the property from June 20 to June 23, 2024. According to the complaint, Bruce reported bed bug bites, prompting the hotel's risk management team to inspect her room. Bed bugs were allegedly confirmed, and Bruce was moved to a different room, where she reportedly encountered the same issue again on June 22.

“It’s on the hotel to make sure they’re not creating a dangerous condition,” Virag said.

The Luxor Hotel and Casino is also facing legal action. Two lawsuits have been filed: one by Stephen and Courtney Gully of Illinois, who stayed from June 7 to June 10, and another by Brianna McKenzie, who stayed from July 16 to July 18.

In the Gullys’ case, the lawsuit states that hotel staff called emergency medical technicians (EMTs) after Courtney Gully experienced a severe allergic reaction, claiming her throat began to close due to bed bug bites. She was reportedly administered narcotics to manage the reaction. Additionally, the complaint notes that Courtney had to pay for her own Uber ride back to the hotel. The Luxor allegedly refunded the resort fee but did not provide further compensation.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re paying $60 or $600 a night — the hotel’s obligation is the same: to keep guests safe,” Virag emphasized.

It’s important to note that cleanliness does not determine the presence of bed bugs. Wherever there are people, bed bugs can be present. While their bites typically cause rashes or skin irritation, some individuals may experience more serious allergic reactions.

If you stayed at Treasure Island or the Luxor recently, there's a chance bed bugs may have traveled home with you. These pests often hide inside suitcases and bags, only to emerge once they find a suitable place to live.

Bed bugs are highly resilient and can survive for extended periods without feeding. This means they can remain hidden in clothing or luggage until you're back home — even if that's hundreds of miles away in Kansas or Missouri. Once settled, they feed at night and reproduce quickly, leading to full-blown infestations.

If you discover bed bugs in your home or business, avoid using over-the-counter chemical treatments. Most bed bugs have developed resistance to common insecticides. The most effective and non-toxic solution is thermal heat treatment.

SOS Pest Control offers professional heat treatments to eliminate bed bugs, backed by a 90-day guarantee. Our methods are safe, effective, and will not damage your property.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation, call us today at 816-237-5342 .

Original article source: 8 News Now – 2 Las Vegas Strip Hotels Sued Over Bed Bugs

Traveling with Pets Can Bring Memories — and also Unwanted Pests

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:32:07 GMT

Are your pets bringing in unwanted guests?

Bed bugs are blood-feeding hitchhikers that can hide in tight, dark spaces to find new feeding grounds. While luggage and clothing are suitable, bed bugs especially enjoy your pets' fur for burrowing. Once you return home, they quickly seek out new hiding spots and hosts to feed on.

It only takes one bed bug to start an infestation — a single female can lay up to five eggs per day. These eggs typically hatch within two weeks, and the young bed bugs begin feeding soon after.

But don't bug out just yet — you can still bring your furry friends along for the trip. Bed bugs do not cause any illnesses to people or animals, just skin irritation from their bites. Bed bug bites often resemble mosquito or flea bites but typically appear in a distinct pattern, commonly in clusters or straight lines. When you and your dog feel that itch, there is a range of remedies for eradicating host bugs and for skin relief.

However, ridding of bed bugs in your home completely may be a different story.

These pests hide during the day and come out at night to feed on blood. They often hide in small cracks and crevices in furniture, beds, and walls during the day.

After feeding, bed bugs will shed their skin through a process called molting. These molted skins are similar in size to the bugs themselves and can be found in the following areas:

Along mattress seams
Behind headboards
At ceiling and wall junctions
Along baseboards
Among personal belongings

For more detailed information on identifying signs of bed bugs, refer to this document by Virginia Tech .

Thankfully, SOS Pest Control can save your home with no harm to you or your pets.

Thermal heat treatment offered by SOS Pest Control is the safest and most effective way to eliminate bed bugs without causing any damage to your furniture, home, and pets. This non-toxic method poses no health risks to people or pets, making it a clean and eco-friendly solution to solving bed bug infestations.

Heat penetrates every wall, crack, and crevice where bed bugs hide. Adult bed bugs die at 119°F, but their heat-resistant eggs require temperatures of at least 125°F. At SOS Pest Control , we seal off the affected area and raise the temperature to the required levels, ensuring complete elimination of both bugs and their eggs. Best of all, this method won’t harm your property or belongings, and our discreet removal process ensures privacy in your neighborhood.

Think You Have Bed Bugs? Call Us Today!

If you notice signs of a bed bug infestation, don’t wait—call SOS Pest Control right away. We offer free inspections to residents within our service area. Visit our service area page to see if your home in our one hour travel radius.

�� Call 816-237-5342 to schedule your inspection today!

Bed Bugs Flying First Class on Turkish Airlines

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:22:23 GMT

Bed bugs are known for hitchhiking their way around the world by attaching themselves to luggage, furniture, and people, so it's no surprise that they can also hide in airplanes.

According to a New York Times (NYT) article, passengers found bed bugs on flights that belonged to Turkish Airlines. Undetected by TSA, bed bugs have the potential to multiply in tight, warm spaces like airplanes and bustling environments like airports, where they hop from traveler to traveler. No matter the cleanliness of you or the space you're in, bed bugs can invade and unleash their reign of terror. Where there are people, there can be bed bugs. So, jam-packed airplanes invite a multitude of risks.

Bed bugs are “more common on planes than people like to admit,” according to Reuven Noyman, owner of NYC Steam Cleaning, which does cleanings for private jets.

Passengers from Turkish Airlines reported to the NYT that over the course of recent months, they encountered bed bugs on three different flights.

Matthew Myers, 28, told the NYT he and his girlfriend were flying from Istanbul to San Francisco in October.

He said a passenger next to him drew his attention to bedbugs on the seat and falling from the ceiling before some landed on the person's lap.

"Multiple passengers were asking to move seats after discovering bugs," Myers told the NYT.

He said one passenger moved to a jump seat for flight attendants.

Myers said Turkish Airlines offered him a 10% discount on future travel that was valid through the following two months.

Yahya Üstün, the airline's media relations chief, said in a statement: "Regarding recent news reports about bedbugs, we would like to emphasize that Turkish Airlines remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of safety and comfort.

"Bedbug cases are a general issue occasionally encountered in public spaces, including aircraft. In this regard, we take all feedback seriously and thoroughly investigate each report."

Üstün also said Turkish Airlines planes were "regularly cleaned and thoroughly sanitized before every flight."

Bed bugs can easily get on an airline by hitching a ride on a person or luggage. Bed bugs can hide in people's clothes or in a suitcase and wait for weeks or months until their next meal. These pests are also very resistant to any form of chemical treatment.

At SOS Pest Control we use heat treatment to kill bed bugs for good. Bed bugs are chemical resistant but not heat resistant. We heat up a room or space to a high enough temperature that kills the pests from the inside. This method also kills any eggs in the area. Heat treatment also has the bonus of being pet-friendly and does no damage to furniture.

If you think you have bed bugs from a flight, travel, or on your airplane then SOS Pest Control can help you remove these pests. SOS also offers a free inspection.

Story Source:

https://www.businessinsider.com/turkish-airlines-passengers-encountered-bedbugs-three-flights-report-2025-1

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bedbugs-more-common-planes-people-140700386.html?guccounter=1

Bed Bug Removal and Treatment

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:04:15 GMT

How to Remove Bed Bugs

Thermal treatment For Bed Bug Removal

Thermal technology is the only safe and sure way to remove bed bugs without damage to your furniture or home. This treatment poses no toxic threat to pets or humans. Heat treatment gets into every wall and cracks in your home or apartment. This method will maximize the results of removing bed bugs from a property.

Adult bed bugs can be killed at 119 degrees Fahrenheit, but their heat-resistant eggs require temperatures upwards of 125 degrees. SOS Pest Control will seal a room and then cook the pests at these temperatures to kill them. This method of treatment will not damage property or the home.

How Not To Remove Bed Bugs

Bed bug removal is difficult but not impossible. Most pesticides are not effective in controlling or preventing infestations. Bed bugs are stubborn and resilient insects that have adapted to modern pesticides. Don't buy over-the-counter bed bug spray you will just be wasting time and money. Bed bugs can nest in your walls and furniture, so any kind of stray is not effective because you can know every spot where the pests are hiding. If you believe you have bed bugs please give us a call at 816-237-5342 for a free inspection.

If you don't see any bed bugs but you see bites, believe the bites. Thanks to the work of the EPA , we now know that bed bugs can hide in the cracks in your walls and furniture. Bed bugs can hide in cracks that are the width of a credit card. Bed bug's ability to hide in cracks is a key reason why pesticides are not effective instruments for bed bug removal.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide

Bed bugs can hide in any number of places to nest. These pests can hide in furniture and can go several months without blood. Bed bugs can hide in some of the following places:

Shared laundry facilities
Mattresses
Break rooms
Storage areas (coat closets or cubbies)
Offices or lounges with upholstered furniture
Luggage (especially from a vacation)
Areas where people may rest
Please note that bed bugs can appear anywhere there are people. The cleanliness of a location is not a factor in determining whether or not there are bed bugs.

Bed Bug Exterminator

If you think you have bed bugs in your home or apartment then please give us a call 816-237-5342 . SOS Pest Control has free inspections and offers 10% off for residential services. Feel confident in choosing SOS Pest Control for all your pest control needs with our 90-Day Bed Bug-Free Guarantee! It ensures your home will remain bedbug free for up to three months after our thermal treatment in your home or commercial property.

Bed Bug Epidemic in Las Vegas Reports

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:06:22 GMT

Investigators Find Bed Bugs in Multiple Las Vegas Reports

Krystal Nailer, a Mississippi resident, claims that she was attacked by bed bugs while staying at the STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas, NV. According to official documents from October 2022, there were “painful welts on her left leg and buttocks,” the document said. Nailer immediately reported the bed bugs to the front desk. According to the document, “the employee took an incident report and provided [her] with hydrocortisone cream for her injuries.”

The lawsuit notes state that at no time before October 2022 did Nailer suffer from bed bug bites or see any in her home. However local news station, 8 News Now reported earlier this year that inspectors with the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) found bed bugs at four Strip properties between late 2023 and early 2024. The discoveries were made across all hotel classes.

According to the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), guests discovered bed bugs in the six months from February to August at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Resorts World Las Vegas, Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and Hilton Grand Vacation Club.

This report by the SNHD highlights that guests complained about bed bugs at the Resorts World from Feb. 4 to Feb. 8.

At the Bellagio Hotel, the investigation found bed bugs after a person stayed at the property during the Christmas holiday, two months before the other reports were made.

At the Cosmopolitan, inspectors found bed begs located inside the headboard of the hotel room and there were guests inside that room from May 14 to May 18.

Investigators also discovered bed bugs at the Hilton Grand Vacations during August.

The Nevada Resort Association, released the following statement to the press.

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

Bed bugs are hitchhikers that will find a place to hide in your stuff and follow you home. If you stayed in Las Vegas from February to August then you might be at risk of bedbugs following you home. Bed bugs are insects that feed on your blood during the night and hide during the day. They have been known to attach to people's clothes in hotel rooms and hitchhiking their way into people's homes.

If you think that you have found bed bugs in your hotel/motel room or your home please give us a call and we will provide you with a free inspection. If you are unsure about the signs of bed bugs, please visit our FAQ page .

Original articles can be found here:

8 News Now: Las Vegas Bed Bugs Lawsuit

8 News Now: Bed Bug Found In Las Vegas

Why Do Most Bed Bug Traps Fail?

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:26:40 GMT

New Bed Bug Traps Have Been Used at the Paris Summer Olympics to Great Success

Bed bugs are smarter than people give them credit. Most traps require the bed bugs to enter into the trap of their own free will but bed bugs hide inside of tight spots and only come out to feed off their hosts. Very rarely do they deviate from this pattern. Many traps provide no reason for bed bugs to walk into the trap.

But the Paris Summer Olympic Games have introduced a new bed bug trap into the world stage. Presented by Arctech Innovation which is a spin-out company from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has launched BugScents Sentry at the Olympic Village.

Professor James Logan, CEO of Arctech, said: "We’ve supplied athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics with BugScents Sentry for early detection of bed bugs so they can rest and recover without the worry of being bitten by bed bugs and stay focused on performing at the highest level during the games."

The scientists from Arctech discovered a pheromone that bed bugs produce which attracts other bed bugs. The pheromone was then reverse-engineered into a formal after three months of work. BugScents Sentry direct bed bugs into the trap by using guide channels since the pests have a nature of holding to the edge. Rather than the replaced glue traps being placed on the floor, the glue is applied to the roof of the trap. This method captures the pests on their backs rather than their feet.

“This summer is the Olympics in Paris. Big sporting events like that mean people are traveling more than normal, which may lead to greater movement of bed bugs,” said Professor Logan. “There is also likely to be a continued increase in bed bug infestations in the UK this summer.”

These devices are available for purchase by the public and can shipped to Kansas and Missouri from the United Kingdom. But please keep in mind that these devices are for prevention, not extermination. These traps can prevent the bed bugs from biting you at night but they will not stop the pests from setting up shop in your house, apartment, or building. If you think you have bed bugs in your home, please give us a call at 816-237-5342 . If you are unsure if you have bed bugs please visit our FAQ page or you can have us come over for a free inspection.

The orginal article can be found here: MSN

Bed Bug Lifecycle

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:02:31 GMT

The Lifecycle of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs go through various stages in their lifecycle which affects their feeding habitats and where they will hide. Bed bugs are blood feeders similar to mosquitos and ticks but how they travel is very different. Mosquitos travel by flight and then find standing water to repopulate. Ticks feed by taking the blood from living animals and humans to gather energy for breeding. Bed bugs are similar to ticks in that they need blood to repopulate but they travel around.

Feeding Cycle

Bed bugs have a cryptic lifestyle. This means that these pests spend most of their time hiding during daylight hours with their friends in tight and dark places. During the night, they become very active and start to look for hosts to feed on. Bed bugs are most active from 24:00 to 5:00 and this is when these pests will feed on their human host. Bed bugs are attracted by CO2 which is produced by humans naturally and bed bugs can also find their host by heat. Once the bed bugs find a host to feed on, they will only need 5-10 minutes to fill up. So the window to find a bed bug directly on your person is very small. Bed bugs only need to feed every 3-7 days on the host's blood. If you are looking for methods to keep bed bugs away from you when you sleep we have most methods that might help.

Keep Bed Bugs Away.

Mating and Growth Cycle

After feeding on the host's blood, bed bugs become very active in mating. On average female bed bugs will produce between 1-7 eggs per day for about 10 days for each single blood meal they got their host. A single female can produce about 113 eggs in her whole lifetime. Under the right conditions, the mortality rate for these eggs can be as low as 97%. It will take about six to nine days for the eggs to start hatching.

After the eggs hatch the nymphs will develop through five stages of molting until they reach adulthood. This process will take about 37 days to complete and under favorable conditions, about 80% of the nymphs will become adults. If you want to kill the bed bugs before they become adults then the egg and nymph stage will be when they are the most vulnerable. Please visit our FAQ page for the signs of bed bugs and please give us a call at 816-237-5340 for a free inspection.

Bed Bugs Can Hide In Hotel Furniture

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 21:28:33 GMT

Bed Bugs Can Hide in Hotel Furniture

You may have read articles about how you should not unpack your suitcase while on vacation, and there is a reason for this practice. Bed bugs love hotels and motels since there are a lot of people traveling in and out of one location. Bed bugs can hide anywhere, and the cleanliness of the hotel is not a factor that bed bugs care about. Bed bugs only care about warm bodies and the blood inside them.

The reason you should avoid unpacking your suitcase is dressers and drawers. Most hotels and motels use furniture made from wood and these are great places for bed bugs to hide. Wooden furniture has a lot of dark places for bed bugs to hide during the day and then come out at night to eat.

According to Dr, Jason Singh at Travel Leisure.com "Alright, so how many of you completely unpack your clothes from your suitcase into a hotel dresser," Singh began in his Instagram clip. "I want to know because hotel dressers, especially those that are made of wood or have joints or crevices, are a risk for bed bug infestation. So, it's not just beds that have bed bugs; hotel dressers can have them, too, and they're not readily cleaned either."

When you arrive at a hotel/motel you might want to do some due diligence and inspect the furniture for bed bugs. Take a flashlight and check the following areas for bed bugs:

Joints and cracks in desks
Folds on the front and back of chairs
Couches
Pillows
Cushions
Behind picture frames
Electrical outlets
Behind baseboards

If you really need to get your clothes out of the suitcase, then it's recommended to hang your clothes in the closet. It is the better option than taking the risk with the drawers and dressers.

If you get the feeling that bed bugs may have hitchhiked their way into your house from your vacation then please give us a call at 816-237-5342. Please our FAQ page for what the signs are for bed bugs and what to do if you find any.

The original article link is here:

Travel Leisure.com

Prevent Bed Bugs On Your Vacation

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 19:08:20 GMT

Stop Bed Bugs From Destroying Your Vacation

A suitcase is one of those items that everyone brings when they go on vacation. It contains everything you need for your journey and it’s where you pack the memories that you made on the trip. Suitcases bring a small piece of home with you as you go off to explore new places relax, or meet up with friends. Unfortunately, suitcases can pick up some unwanted bed bugs. This not your fault, bed bugs can be found anywhere people are located.

Bed bugs are believed to carry diseases and this has lead them to be connected with dirty and unsanitary environments. The fact of the matter is that bed bugs do not carry diseases, however, they are painful pests.

Bed bugs are found in North and South America, to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Anywhere there are humans, there are bed bugs. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) at pestworld.org, bed bugs can be found in college dormitories, bus and train seats, restaurant booths, second-hand furniture stores and even doctor’s offices.

For information about how to find and identify bed bugs, please visit our FAQ page.

Here are some tips and steps you can take to protect your suitcase and vacation. The NPMA recommends the following:

• Do not rush when you check into a hotel or short-term rental. Take your time to inspect the room or house.

• Turn over bedding, including the bedspread and look for brown spots left by bed bugs.

• Use your phone flashlight to look at the box spring.

• Never put your suitcase on the floor and always utilize hard surfaces, regardless of how clean beds look.

• Keep clothing off the floor and in plastic when possible.

As an extra measure of protection, you can put your suitcase and shoes in the bathtub to keep the bed bugs away. Bed bugs like places to hide after they feed and there are not hiding spots in the tub.

If you just got home from a vacation and find signs of bed bugs or mysterious bites, immediately put everything in the dryer. Heat is a safe and chemical free way to kill bed bugs. But if you weren’t able to address the problem in time. Please give us a call. SOS Pest Control offers free inspections.

The original article link is here:

Portland Press Herald

Topeka Exterminators Talk About Bed Bugs

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:08:06 GMT

Topeka Exterminator Talk About the Rise of Bed Bugs in Topeka

According to KSNT 27 News Topeka there has been a rise in the reports of Bed Bugs in the city of Kansas. KSNT 27 News spoke with Corey Cripps with Cripps Pest Control and Guy Cumpton with Ozark Integrated Pest Services about how bed bugs are on the rise.

“It’s, in my opinion, become a pretty big issue,” Cripps said.

Cumpton said bed bugs aren’t an issue unique to Topeka and can be found just about anywhere. He said his office gets around six to 10 calls per week regarding the pests and has worked around 400 treatments over the course of 2023.

Cripps said that he gets the most calls from three types of buildings in Topeka: apartments, retirement homes and low-income housing areas.

“Unfortunately, bed bugs and roaches alike, they really hit low-income areas hard,” Cripps said. “That is because those areas, they just don’t have the funds to pay for proper treatments, especially with bed bugs. Bed bug treatments can get pretty pricy with the bigger companies.”

Retirement homes are “a huge issue right now,” according to Cripps. He said that having a lot of older adults confined to one place and not moving around is a great opportunity for bed bugs. Bed bugs love warm bodies that stay in one location.

“Bed bugs are non-discriminatory,” Cumpton said. “However, most of our calls are to lower-income facilities. We get called out to various types of clients ranging from doctors’ offices, hospitals, individual homes, churches, and apartments.”

“Apartment complexes are really tricky,” Cripps said. “Once one apartment gets them, if you’re attached to that apartment, you’re gonna have a bit of an issue. I’ve treated whole apartment complexes where every unit had bed bugs.”

According to Cripps the key to dealing with bed bug infestation is speed. Waiting and procrastinating only benefit the pests. If you see signs of bed bugs you need to reach out to a bed bug exterminator as soon as possible.

“Call a reputable, local pest control company that has experience in bed bugs,” Cripps said. “The sooner you get on top of it, the easier and less expensive it’ll be. Once they get established and start laying eggs, that’s when it becomes a much bigger fight. Getting on top of it quickly is the best thing to do.”

If you see signs of bed bugs, give SOS Pest Control a call at 816-237-5342. If are unsure if you have bed bugs, check out our FAQ page for the tell-tell signs of an infestation. SOS also offers free inspections for areas we cover. We are based out of Kansas City, Missouri but we service large sections of Kansas and Missouri. Check out our service area page to see if you are in an area that we service.

The original article link is here:

KSNT

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

Bed Bugs In Senior Living Complex

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:56:33 GMT

KCK Senior Living Complex Condemned for Bed Bugs

According to KCTV5 in 2023 the Victory Hills Apartments complex has been condemned due to the complex being infested with bed bugs. County code enforcers have declared the building to be "unfit for human habitation." Victory Hills is the home to about 200 senior citizens and many of the residents told KCTV5 that the bed bugs have affected every aspect of their lives.

A few of the residents spoke with KCTV about their experience with the bed bugs. "They're just everywhere," said one woman who did not wish to be identified. "I mean, they're in the hallways," she said. "You meet one on the elevator."

The infestation of bed bugs led to all the social activities being canceled which left the residents isolated.

"They removed most of the chairs, most of the furniture because of the bedbugs," another resident said. "Closed the dining room."

At one point Wyandotte County Code Enforcers declared the building uninhabitable and this statement was sent to KCTV5.

"Our office was made aware of a possible bed bug infestation at Victory Hills Senior Living Center last week. Throughout the course of the week we received at least 8 complaints from residents as well as some of their family members. That information was corroborated by the on-site management of the facility. With that knowledge, we decided to post the property as Unfit for Human Habitation. The property was posted by our Inspector on Friday 1/6/2023 and a Notice of Unfit Hearing was sent out this morning on Monday 1/9/2023.

The Notice was sent to the owners of the facility and states that there is an administrative Hearing scheduled for Thursday 1/26/2023 to be held at the Neighborhood Resource Center between representatives from the Unified Government's Property Maintenance Compliance Division and the owners/representatives of Victory Hills Senior Living Center. At or before the date of the hearing, we are asking the ownership/management of the facility to present to us a comprehensive plan for the remediation of the vermin issue in the building. The placard posted on the property has a noted Vacate Date of Friday 1/27/2023. If no plan is in place by the time of the Hearing, that vacate date would be enforced by our office and no one would be allowed to live in the facility until the issue is resolved. However, it is not our desire to displace even one tenant living at Victory Hills.

It is our ambition, in posting the property Unfit, the notice serves to behoove the responsible parties in resolving this issue as soon as possible for the health, safety and well-being of all residents and their families. We have also been in contact with a number of our community partners such as the Department of Housing and the Office of Veterans Affairs to make them aware of the actions we are taking and our hope for the best possible outcome for all parties involved."

-Patrick Holton, Neighborhood Resource Code Enforcement

If you are worried that a similar situation might happen to your home or business please give us a call. SOS offers free inspection. So if you are worried about bed bugs being in your home or business, let us give you some peace of mind and give an answer to your worries.

The original article link is here:

KCTV5

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

Woman Tries to Kill Bed Bugs With Fire

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:56:31 GMT

Woman Tries to Kill Bed Bugs and Starts a House Fire

According to KWCH/Gray News a Wichita woman in early December 7th, 2023 was critically injured in an apartment fire.

Firefighters were able to rescue a trapped woman from the Liberty Way Apartments near Ninth Street and North Estelle and she was taken to the hospital.

According to witnesses in the area who called 911, the woman said that "she was trying to kill bed bugs with her lighter."

"We were sitting here and we heard screaming. It was a mom screaming about her children," the caller, who asked not to be identified, explained. "Smoke was everywhere."

"She didn't seem like she was very coherent, like she was on something possibly," the witness said. "She said flat-out that she had started the fire to kill bed bugs and she knew that her roommate was on the floor asleep in front of the couch. She said that she didn't realize that it would start a fire and she panicked and ran out of there, leaving her roommate on the floor."

Please take this as a warning not to use fire or any other dangerous material to deal with bed bugs. These pests are difficult to deal with when you don't have the proper tools and know what to look for. Here at SOS Pest Control, we understand the urgent feeling to take action when you see bed bugs but please contact the professional first. We don't want you to do something that you might regret later. You might not even have bed bugs since they can be mistaken for other insects, that's why we offer free inspections. Let us help you protect your home and property and call us first before you set something on fire.

See here for the original story:

KKTV

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

Bed Bugs Spreading in Paris and the World

matt@kmgks.com (Matt Unrein) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:56:29 GMT

Bed Bugs Found Paris and They are on the Rise

In the summer of 2023, there were videos of the going viral of bed bugs showing up all across Paris. The begs were spotted in the Paris metro, trains, movie theaters, and airports. One quote by a French politician talking to the French Parliament best sums up the situation for the people of Paris, "These little insects are spreading despair in our country."

However bedbugs are not just in Paris, the pest can be found in major cities all across the world and an Annual Review report shows that bed bugs have been on the rise for decades across the world. Research by Stephen L. Doggett and Chow-Yang Lee shows that bed bug reports have seen a significant increase in multiple major cities across the world.

The rise of bed bugs can be linked to multiple factors, the increase of travel, and population growth in the cities, but an important factor is the heavy use of insecticides. Because of the increased usage of these chemicals, bed bugs have developed a resistance against these insecticides. The ineffectiveness against these pests can be seen in a report from Cambridge, United Kingdom. The 1998 report describes an increase in bed bug incidents in the area and that insecticides were ineffective.

Research by Stephen L. Doggett and Chow-Yang Lee highlights a pattern of increased bed bug reports across the world for the past few decades. In Australia, there was a 700% increase in bed bug reports from 2001-2004 compared to the previous years. During the years of 2002 and 2003 in the United States, one of the largest multinational pest control companies reported a 500% increase in bed bug reports. In Tokyo, Japan bed bug enquiries saw an increase from 20 in 2000 to 350 in 2012. Bed bugs have also spread across East South Asia with a survey report by the National Environmental Agency of Singapore which highlighted an increase of bed bug treatment from zero in 2004 to more than 220 in 2013.

While the heavy use of insecticides which been linked to the rise of the bed bug population there are other key factors. Two of these key factors are the increase of city populations and more peopling traveling. With more people moving into major metropolitan cities, bed bugs will find more opportunities to hide and feed. Bed bugs love areas where warm bodies are densely packed together. The rise of Airbnb has also helped bed bugs spread. These pests love to hide on people and luggage to hitch a free ride and find a new place to nest and feed.

For the original articles please see here:

VOX

Annual Review

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

US Cities With the Worst Bed Bugs Outbreaks

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 13:38:08 GMT

Bed Bugs Outbreaks in American Cities

While Paris has become recently famous for the massive outbreak of bed bugs, American cities have seen their fair share of bed bug outbreaks. "These cities are popular travel destinations so, by nature, they are going to be more vulnerable to bedbug introductions than those cities that are less popular," said Eric Braun an entomologist and technical service manager for Terminix. Here is a list of some American cities that were hit the hardest by the new wave of bed bugs.

According to Terminix, Philadelphia has been hit the hardest by the outbreak of bed bugs with Chicago and New York City following up of the list. However, Orkin had the same cities listed for bed bugs but the order of the cities was reversed with Chicago being number one and Philadelphia being number three.

When mapping the data of bed bug outbreaks, the cities in the Midwest have seen some of the worst outbreaks with cities in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan taking the lead, but East Coast cities also seeing an increase in the pests.

States across the US have passed laws and regulations to combat the rise of bed bugs. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and many others have statutes that focused-on hotels and landlords. "Be sure to check with your state and local authorities for any changes in these requirements or to find out if your state or city has enacted a requirement more recently", according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

If you think that you might have bed bugs you give us a call to schedule a free inspections.

The original articles can be found here:

EPA

US News

sos-pest-control

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Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

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Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

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Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

Bed Bugs Spreading in Paris and the World

Bed Bugs Found Paris and They are on the Rise

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

US Cities With the Worst Bed Bugs Outbreaks

Bed Bugs Outbreaks in American Cities

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

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