Woman Tries to Kill Bed Bugs With Fire

Matt Unrein • June 19, 2024

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:

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

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

By Carley Norton • August 18, 2025
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.

Hotels Face Growing Bed Bug Risks Amid Peak Travel Season

By Carley Norton • July 18, 2025
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
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