Topeka Exterminators Talk About Bed Bugs
Matt Unrein • July 12, 2024
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.
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Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions
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.
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
