Wondering if there are nasty bed bugs crawling around your home, hidden in the nooks and crannies where they’re hardest to find? Enter the world of bed bug dogs. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about them, including how they work, how to hire a bed bug dog, and the costs involved.
These trained canines are not just pets — they’re skilled detectives in the hunt for bed bugs. Pest control companies usually use them to sniff out bed bugs in places like hotels, schools, and hospitals, offering quick and efficient inspections. Prepare to be amazed by these furry heroes of pest control.
What Are Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs?
Bed bug sniffing dogs are highly trained canines that have become an integral part of the pest control arsenal since the early 2000s. These dogs are elite pest detectors, trained through positive reinforcement techniques to detect bed bugs.
Thanks to their heightened sense of smell, bed bug dogs can navigate through a variety of environments and identify the unique pheromones emitted by bed bugs. They can even discriminate between live and dead bed bugs, and bed bug eggs.
Their precision allows pest control professionals to confirm the presence of bed bugs and assess the extent of an infestation more accurately and efficiently than traditional human detection methods. They can find the critters in places where humans wouldn’t think to look or would take much longer to discover, making them a powerful ally in bed bug control.
How Accurate Are Bed Bug Dogs?
Dogs are celebrated for their remarkable ability to detect bed bugs, but just how reliable are they? Research on how accurate bed bug dogs are reveals impressive but varied results. Here are the highlights of them:
- A 2008 study demonstrated a 97.5% accuracy rate in dogs differentiating between bed bugs and other common pests like termites.
- The same study showed a 98% success rate in locating bed bugs.
- Another study from 2014, however, painted a different picture. The average detection rate dropped to 44%.
- More recently, in 2016, a study conducted in Italy focused on the detection in 136 hotel rooms. The results showed a 96.32% accuracy rate in locating bed bugs.
The fluctuating accuracy rates in these studies might indicate that although sniffing dogs seem to be highly accurate in detecting bed bugs, the results can depend heavily on external factors. Key factors that may affect accuracy include:
- The dog’s quality of training
- The dog’s years of experience
- The handler’s ability to detect the dog’s cues
- The handler’s preconceived bias, and more
How Bed Bug Dog Inspections Work
Bed bug dog inspections usually combine the skills of a trained dog with the expertise of a handler. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it usually goes:
- The process begins with the handler guiding the dog through the areas of concern. This includes bedrooms, living rooms, and any furniture that could potentially harbor bed bugs.
- As they move through the space, the dog uses its highly sensitive nose to sniff for the distinct scent of bed bugs.
- Upon detecting the right scent, the dog will signal to the handler. This signal typically involves a specific posture or reaction that the dog has been trained to show, like sitting, pointing, or barking.
- The handler, who is trained to interpret the dog’s behavior, will assess the signal to pinpoint the exact location of the infestation.
- When the handler confirms the presence of bed bugs, the dog is usually rewarded.
- Following the inspection, you’ll be provided with a detailed report of the findings.
After the canine inspection, you can then make an informed decision about proceeding with the bed bug treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Bed Bug Dogs?
The benefits of using bed bug sniffing dogs are numerous. Let’s take a look at them:
- Detection in hidden places: Dogs can locate bed bugs in unexpected and hard-to-reach hiding places that might be overlooked by humans, such as wall cavities and electrical outlets.
- Early detection capabilities: Bed bug dogs can detect even a single bed bug or bed bug egg, facilitating early detection of an infestation.
- Speed: These canines can quickly scan an area without the need for detailed inspections of every nook and cranny. This makes them especially useful in hotels, hospitals, and schools, which usually have many rooms to inspect.
- Reduced pesticide use: By pinpointing the exact location of an infestation, bed bug dogs allow for a more targeted approach, decreasing the need for widespread pest application.
- Immediate results: Unlike monitoring glue traps, which can take days to indicate the presence of bed bugs, the results from a bed bug dog inspection are immediate.
- High accuracy: Bed bug dogs are highly accurate in their job.
How to Hire a Bed Bug Dog
If you want to hire a bed bug dog, you have options ranging from general pest control companies, like Orkin, that offer canine inspections for bed bugs, to specialized companies that focus exclusively on bed bug sniffing dogs.
Before making a hiring decision, it’s important to consider the cost and ask pertinent questions to ensure you’re getting the best service for your situation.
Bed Bug Sniffing Dog Cost
The cost of hiring a bed bug dog can vary based on several factors, including the size of the area to be inspected, your home’s location, and the specific company you choose.
On average, homeowners pay between $285 and $600 for a bed bug dog inspection.
What to Ask Before Hiring a Bed Bug Dog
Asking the right questions before hiring a bed bug sniffing dog is essential to ensure you’re getting a reliable service. Here are some key questions to consider:
- What kind of training and certifications do the dogs have? Is it from the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDCA)? They should have a third-party accreditation recommended by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), like NESDCA’s. Other organizations include the World Detector Dog Organization (WDDO).
- How long has the company been providing bed bug dog inspections, and how many years of experience does the specific dog have?
- How long have the dog and handler worked together?
- What is their success rate in detecting bed bugs?
- Will they provide a detailed report after the inspection?
- Do they offer any guarantees on their services?
Pro tip: After hiring a bed bug dog service, it’s important to request concrete evidence of an infestation. While bed bug dogs are highly skilled, false positives can happen. Therefore, always ask for physical proof (live specimens) before proceeding with any treatment, as the NPMA recommends.
How to Prepare for a Bed Bug Dog Inspection
Most pest control companies that offer bed bug dog inspections will provide you with specific preparation instructions. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow to make the process smoother:
- Close all windows and turn off fans and HVAC systems to help maintain the integrity of the scents within the rooms.
- Store away strong odors, such as household cleaners, pest control products, and air fresheners, so they don’t interfere with the dog’s ability to detect smells.
- Declutter your home to give the bed bug dog more freedom of movement throughout the property.
- Do not change bed linens, so you don’t eliminate possible indicators of bed bugs.
- Follow the handler’s instructions before and during the inspection. They might ask you to remove more things from your home or guide you on specific actions to take during the inspection.
Tip: You’ll also have to prepare for a bed bug treatment if the dog detects an infestation in your home.
FAQ About Bed Bug Dogs
What Kind of Dog Can Detect Bed Bugs?
Beagles are the most commonly used breed for sniffing out bed bugs due to their strong olfactory senses and trainability. Other breeds, like labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and Belgian shepherds, are also used. Regardless of the breed, every dog must undergo rigorous training to effectively detect bed bugs.
Are Bed Bugs Attracted to Dogs?
Bed bugs primarily feed on human blood. However, they’re opportunistic feeders and can also feed on other animals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, and birds, though it is less common.
Can Untrained Dogs Detect Bed Bugs?
Untrained dogs might have the ability to smell bed bugs, given their naturally keen sense of smell. However, without proper training, they don’t possess the skills to communicate or demonstrate that they have detected bed bugs.
When to Call a Professional
Bed bug sniffing dogs are an effective solution for detecting bed bugs. If you suspect that bed bugs have invaded your home, don’t wait until the problem escalates. Call a pest professional so he (and perhaps Fido, too) can come and address the problem as soon as possible.
Main Image Credit: Modfos / Canva Pro / License
