Bed bug infestations are incredibly common across the US.
Even though there are plenty of effective ways to remove bed bug infestations when they occur, bed bugs can be difficult to spot, making detecting infestations before they get out of hand the hardest part.
Tried and true methods like visual inspections have their flaws, leading many homeowners to look to man’s best friend for answers. But can a dog really detect bed bugs? Here’s everything you need to know before scheduling a K9 bed bug inspection.
Why Are Bed Bugs So Hard To Detect?
Bed bugs are incredibly elusive pests whose main method of survival is being good at staying hidden. It’s not just their small size that makes them so hard to find. They’re also nocturnal, avoiding sources of light at all costs and using their flat bodies to sneak into even the smallest cracks and crevices during the day. This makes it nearly impossible to identify infestations early without tearing apart an entire room.
Visual inspection methods rely almost completely on being able to find live insects, shed skins, fecal stains, or eggs, all of which only become obvious once the infestation has had the chance to grow and spread.
This means that even professional bed bug inspectors with years of experience could miss infestations that haven’t progressed past the early stages, allowing the bed bugs plenty of time to multiply before anyone has a chance to notice.
Can a Dog Detect Bed Bugs?
It’s no secret that dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and we humans have been taking advantage of this incredible superpower for centuries. With over 300 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to only six million in humans, dogs are uniquely adept at detecting any odor in even the smallest concentrations, and that includes bed bugs.
You do need to spend months specially training them, but once training is complete, these dogs can sniff out the odors of live bed bugs and viable eggs with impressively high accuracy. This allows them to detect and locate infestations that experienced human inspectors could overlook, making them easily the most reliable bed bug detection tool that we have.
How Are Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs Trained?
Bed bug sniffing dogs go through a rigorous months-long training regimen to be able to accurately identify the scent of bed bugs and their eggs.
Their training typically involves introducing them to controlled samples of the scent and then reinforcing correct alerts the the power of positive reinforcement. These dogs are also trained to ignore distractions and non-target odors like food that are common in most homes and commercial buildings.
One thing that many people overlook when thinking about this training is the role of the handler. The dog handler also needs to train just as hard to recognize each dog’s alert signals and guide them without influencing the results. As amazing as bed bug sniffing dogs are, canine bed bug inspections only work when the handler and the dog are able to work together.
How Accurate Are Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs
Bed bug sniffing dogs are by far the best and most accurate tool that we have in our arsenal as inspectors. However, their accuracy does vary widely depending on factors like the quality of their training and the experience of their handler. Poor training and handling can seriously reduce the dog’s ability to detect bed bugs, especially when the inspection environment is less than ideal.
Residual odors and overly stimulating environments can and will distract even the best dogs, making the handler’s ability to rein the dog in and keep it focused the biggest deciding factor when it comes to accuracy.
Because of this, most dogs and handlers go through ongoing training to ensure that they are able to work together to ensure the highest level of accuracy possible.
What Are the Benefits of Using Dogs To Detect Bed Bugs?
Besides high accuracy, easily the biggest advantages of using bed bug sniffing dogs is their ability to detect infestations early.
Dogs are able to detect the presence of bed bugs long before the infestation grows large enough for humans to notice, and this possibility of early intervention allows homes and business owners to avoid more costly and time-consuming widespread bed bug treatments.
Limitations of Canine Bed Bug Detection
Dogs are highly effective, but they are not a standalone solution for detecting bed bugs.
This is because dogs can only indicate the presence of a bed bug’s scent and can’t determine the severity of an infestation by themselves. This means that even though dogs are the most accurate bed bug scent detectors available, they are limited by their training, the handler, and their environment. Working with a skilled bed bug dog handler will get you the best possible results.
When Should You Consider a Bed Bug Dog Inspection?
You should consider scheduling a bed bug dog inspection as soon as you have even the slightest suspicion that you may have bed bugs in your property.
The biggest advantage of using dogs is the potential for early detection and intervention, and waiting only gives the bed bugs more time to lay eggs and spread throughout a building. When it comes to bed bugs, you simply can’t risk waiting, so if you notice any signs of bed bugs, schedule an inspection immediately.
Contact Easy Pest Management Today
Do you suspect that your Chester County, PA home or business may have a bed bug infestation? Give us a call at 484-206-5055 or contact us on our website, easypm.com.
Our friendly team of local bed bug experts is always here to answer questions, and we’ll happily help you schedule a professional K-9 bed bug inspection whenever it’s most convenient for you. Then, if we find bed bugs, we’ll offer you a free estimate so that you have all the information you need to fit our heat treatment services into your budget.
Don’t let bed bugs ruin the safety and comfort of your home. Contact Easy Pest Management and schedule your bed bug inspection today.
