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The bed bug epidemic shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Despite several new innovative ways of treating infestations and detection, somehow, the bugs are still winning the war. So, how can you keep up with these evolving critters?

K9s are the answer!

Dogs have been used for centuries for their heightened sense of smell, whether by police for detecting narcotics and firearms or search and rescue crews for locating missing persons. But did you know that highly trained dogs can even be used to detect those elusive bed bugs?

Let us explain how k9 bed bug inspection works and why it’s leading the way in detection services.

Hundreds of Hours of Training

A certified bed bug detection dog undergoes hundreds of hours of training, in a similar manner to police and military dogs. Much of this training is done in tandem with the canine’s human trainer and handler, which forms the dog/human unit. A variety of breeds are called on for detection services, including the Malinois, Dutch Shepherd and German Shepherd, that are historically known for their hard-working and intelligent demeanor. The handler is, of course, also highly trained and skilled in pest detection.

Early Detection Is Key

Bed bugs can be an immensely difficult pest to eradicate. The reason they are called bed bugs is because they’re typically found nestling in mattresses bedding, but that doesn’t mean they are restricted to beds. They can travel through electrical switches and can be found anywhere in your home – from furniture, upholstery, and curtains to your clothing and shoes. On top of that, they’re very difficult to spot as the eggs are completely transparent and the size of a dot. As with any pest problem, detecting and eliminating the threat before it’s abundantly evident to the eye is in your best interest.

Highly-trained K9s are capable of smelling in parts per trillion, which allows them to detect the smallest of infestations (even if it’s just one adult, nymph or egg) behind walls and baseboards, beneath carpeting, or inside furniture, appliances, and mattresses. Confirming bug activity early can save you and your family or staff from the torment of bites and a visual presence in the property.

Targeted Approach to Pesticide Applications

The use of olfaction (i.e., sense of smell) to detect bugs isn’t only more accurate than visual inspections, but also results in a more targeted approach to pesticide applications. For early-stage infestations, and infestations in very large buildings, this often means that the pest treatment can be localized to a much smaller area. By minimizing the area that needs to be sprayed or otherwise treated, operators can limit their use of harmful chemicals in residential and commercial properties, thus providing a safer environment to residents and/or staff.

Maximum Efficiency

Because trained dogs are capable of narrowing down the infected area with a great deal of specificity and pinpoint infestations, you can focus your treatment areas for maximum efficiency. By locating exactly where in the building, pest activity is present – and before an outbreak has fully developed – you can respond to the problem with targeted treatment on a smaller scale as opposed to a full-scale fumigation of the entire property, reducing cost and time.

Our Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs Are Useful Additions to the Pest Control Toolkit

We use trained, certified K9’s to locate annoying and resilient live bedbugs and viable bedbug eggs in hotel rooms, apartments, cabins, rental homes and all kinds of commercial and residential properties with up to 95% accuracy. We work hand-in-hand with your bed bugs pest control service guiding their bedbug treatment so you can feel assured that the status of your problem is determined and confirmed.