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Bed bugs are among the most challenging pests to detect and eliminate, often hiding in tiny crevices and remaining unnoticed until an infestation is well underway. Fortunately, dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, enabling them to detect live bed bugs, viable eggs, and bed bug infestations with remarkable accuracy.
Bed bug detection dogs have become a trusted solution in pest control, complementing visual inspections and enhancing extermination strategies. In this article, we’ll explore how bed bug-sniffing dogs detect infestations.
A dog’s nose is a biological marvel, capable of detecting scents at concentrations as low as parts per trillion. Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors, allowing them to discern individual odors within a complex mixture. This heightened sense of smell makes dogs ideal for pest detection tasks like identifying bed bugs.
Bed bugs emit pheromones and other unique odors. Dogs trained for scent detection can identify these odors, even in hidden areas such as furniture crevices, baseboards, or mattresses.
Bed bug detection dogs undergo rigorous training to accurately sniff out and alert their handlers to the presence of bed bugs. Certified programs, like those endorsed by the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDCA), ensure that these canine sniffers are skilled at differentiating live bed bugs from dead bed bugs or other pests like termites.
Training involves repeated exposure to the scent of live bed bugs and viable bed bug eggs, learning to ignore non-target scents, such as dead bugs or non-viable eggs, and practicing in controlled environments to mimic real-world inspection scenarios.
Common breeds used in bed bug detection include beagles, retrievers, and other scent-oriented dogs, selected for their keen sense of smell and trainability.
Before scheduling a canine bed bug inspection, it’s essential to prepare your space to ensure the dog can work efficiently. Remove excess clutter, vacuum thoroughly, and avoid using scented cleaning products that may mask bed bug odors.
During an inspection, the handler guides the dog through the space, allowing it to sniff furniture, bedding, baseboards, and other areas where bed bugs may hide. The process is typically swift, with dogs covering a room in minutes.
When a dog detects the scent of bed bugs, it will alert its handler through a trained response, such as sitting, lying down, or pawing at the spot. The handler then confirms the findings and coordinates follow-up steps, such as visual verification or pest control measures.
Our Canine Teams are specially trained to detect live bed bugs and eggs and are extremely accurate. They can smell up to two parts per trillion and alert their handler to live bed bugs and viable eggs. Our dogs will sniff out bed bugs in the smallest cracks and crevices, ensuring quicker and greater control of a possible infestation.
Bed bug detection dogs are trusted by pest control companies like Ehrlich nationwide. Their ability to detect live bed bugs and viable eggs has been validated by organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and NESDCA, providing peace of mind to homeowners and businesses alike.
Compared to traditional bed bug control methods, canine inspections are faster and often more accurate. Dogs can detect infestations in hard-to-reach places, reducing the time and effort required for thorough bed bug inspections.
Bed bug dogs complement modern pest control tools, enhancing detection and extermination strategies.
Knowing that trained professionals and their canine partners have inspected your property thoroughly can alleviate anxiety about potential infestations.
Don’t let bed bugs take over your home. Contact our professional bed bug exterminators today to schedule an inspection.
The cost of hiring bed bug detection dogs varies depending on several factors, including the size of the property being inspected and the severity of the infestation. It’s best to contact your local Ehrlich office for a free quote tailored to your specific needs.
While canine inspections may seem more expensive upfront, their accuracy can save money in the long run. Early detection helps prevent infestations from spreading, reducing extermination costs and minimizing damage to your home or business.
Bed bug detection dogs are highly accurate, with studies reporting accuracy rates between 80% and 95%. However, their effectiveness depends on thorough training of the sniffer dog, the handler’s expertise in interpreting the dog’s alerts, and environmental factors, such as strong odors or distractions.
No method is perfect, and canine inspections are no exception. False positives may occur if a dog mistakes other odors for bed bugs, while false negatives can happen if the infestation is too small or dispersed. Working with certified pest control companies like Ehrlich helps to minimize these risks.
Canine inspections are particularly useful in the following scenarios:
You may need a bed bug detection dog if you notice one or more of the following telltale signs:
While bed bug dogs are invaluable for detecting infestations, they do not eliminate bed bugs. Their role is to pinpoint problem areas, enabling our pest control professionals to implement targeted extermination strategies. Effective bed bug control methods include heat treatments, chemical applications, and vacuuming.
At Ehrlich, we have a Canine Team to help us accurately detect the presence of bed bugs in your home or business. They are an important part of our bed bug solutions.
Contact us today to see how our bed bug control experts and their canine counterparts can help you say goodbye to your bed bug problem.
*This type of inspection is only available in certain locations. Contact us to see if our Canine Teams service your area.
Ehrlich’s trained professionals will visually verify any dog alerts before any bed bug treatments are made – something our competition does not always do. Contact Ehrlich at 800-837-5520 for more information about our bed bug dogs and bed bug inspections.
Want to learn more about bed bugs? See our articles on bed bug facts and home remedies for bed bugs.