Company History

Gunter Pest Management began in 1950 when Roy Gunter, a resident of Overland Park, Kansas, started a small pest control business at Lake Lotawana, Missouri. As news of his great service spread, his business expanded into Kansas City, Johnson County and eventually into the entire metropolitan area.

Due to Roy's failing health, his first cousin, Reggie "L.R." Gunter, joined the business in the fall of 1958 and began calling the business "L.R. Gunter, the Bugman." His motto was "Ask your neighbor," since virtually all of his new business came through recommendations from satisfied friends and neighbors.

Reggie worked out of his home in Armour Hills and his wife, Betty, answered the phone. Betty used to reminisce about their early days of business when she used to answer the phone sitting on the floor because they didn't have enough money to purchase a desk.

Reggie Gunter passed away in 1979. His son-in-law, Norman O. Besheer, became President that year and served in this capacity until 1998. Norman's son, and Reggie's grandson -- Jay Gunter Besheer -- is now President of the company.

In 2001, Gunter acquired A&L Pest Control. A&L was one of the premier pest management firms in Greater Kansas City, with over 20,000 satisfied clients at the time of the merger. The merger of A&L and Gunter formed one of the largest pest management firms in the United States. Other Gunter acquisitions include Fisher Exterminating/Charlie Fisher (1965), Cleartox Termite Control/Ralph Champ (1979), Johnson & Johnson Pest Control/Jeff Johnson (2003) and Beaman's Pest Control/Bud Beaman (2007), and Allied Exterminators/the Herman family (2010). Allied was a Kansas City fixture since 1957 and provided pest services to thousands of residential and commercial clients. In August of 2010, Gunter purchased Modern Fire Safety, LLC which added to their menu of commercial services. Modern specializes in the service, sales and maintenance of fire extinguishers, emergency exit lighting and kitchen fire suppression systems. This merger will allow Gunter to become a “one stop shop” for all the pest and fire safety needs of their many commercial clients.

Reggie's philosophy was to give the longest warranty in town for a reasonable price, and to give the best service by hiring only well trained, intelligent, clean-cut technicians. His well-thought-out philosophy still serves the company today, as we now serve over 70,000 termite and general pest control, lawn and fire clients in the Greater Kansas City / Lawrence area.

(913) 385-BUGS (2847) / Johnson County
(913) 492-2800 / Kansas
(816) 444-BUGS (2847) / Missouri
(785) 838-3637 / Lawrence/Eudora

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