Featured in Pest Control Technology Magazine

More Than Pest Control

A professional bed bug service is not cheap. It takes time, labor, inspection, follow-up, and a serious understanding of how bed bugs behave. For many families, especially those already struggling financially, that creates a painful problem: the people who need bed bug help the most are often the people least able to afford it.

That reality helped shape the story of GP Home Defense and the mission behind Brian Metzger’s work in Salina, Kansas.

The Bed Bug Ministry

At the time, bed bugs were spreading through libraries, hotels, residences, and other parts of the community. Brian became tired of hearing Salina described as the bed bug capital of Central Kansas.

He earned his certification and pest control license in late 2017 and launched GP Home Defense in January 2018. The goal was not simply to create another pest control company. The goal was to serve people dealing with one of the most stressful pest problems imaginable.

Brian began working with social service agencies, churches, charities, and other organizations to connect people with help when they could not afford traditional bed bug service.

Helping Those Who Fall Through the Cracks

Some people qualify for help through social service programs. Others do not. That gap became part of the motivation behind Gopherwood Community Foundation.

The name Gopherwood comes from Brian’s property rental company, Gopherwood Properties, and references the Biblical story of Noah building the ark from gopher wood. For Brian, remodeling rental properties felt like building an ark board by board.

The foundation initially helped with community needs during COVID-19, including personal protective equipment. Later, the hope was to steer the foundation toward helping people with serious infestation issues.

Eventually, trying to run both the business and the foundation became overwhelming, and the foundation is no longer active. However, Brian continues to work with social service agencies, charities, churches, and other groups willing to help people in need.

Superhero With Heart

Some bed bug jobs are difficult, emotionally draining, and financially complicated. They are not the kind of jobs every pest control company wants to take on.

But for Brian, helping people who feel trapped by an infestation became part of the mission. When someone says they do not even know why they called because they cannot afford service, GP Home Defense looks for ways to connect them with help.