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Although bed bugs are not considered dangerous, trying to treat an infestation can become painfully complicated and expensive.
Your best option is to identify and exterminate the problem early on, before it gets out of hand.
That’s where bed bug-sniffing dogs can help.
These expert canines are specially trained and certified to detect the scent of bed bugs — even when they’re hiding in places that are nearly impossible for the human eye to spot.
Can Dogs Really Detect Bed Bugs?
Yes, bed bug sniffing dogs are trained at specialized scent detection schools to distinguish the scent of live bed bugs, dead bed bugs, and even bed bug eggs.
Initial training usually takes between 6 to 9 months before the dogs are paired with a human partner and certified as a professional canine inspection team.
At MMPC, all of our bed bug sniffing dogs are veterans with at least 5 years of experience. Our teams undergo routine weekly training to keep their noses sharp!
A Bed Bug Dog Inspection Answers 3 Important Questions:
- Do you have any bed bugs?
- If you have bed bugs, where are they hiding?
- If you have bed bugs, what’s the scope of the infestation and what should you do next?
MMPC is New York City’s highest-rated pest control company offering NESDCA-certified canine bed bug inspections services.
All findings made by our bed bug sniffing dogs are confirmed through visual inspections by an experienced handler.
If bed bugs are found, our experts will provide you with objective and unbiased recommendations for treatment to get you back to being bed bug-free as soon as possible.
How Accurate Are Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs?
Dogs have approximately 250 million olfactory receptors in their noses, which is around 50 times greater than the 5 million olfactory receptors in human noses.
With their strong sense of smell, certified bed bug-sniffing dogs have shown an impressive 98% accuracy rate when locating live bed bug infestations in controlled studies. In comparison, visual bed bug inspections by humans reportedly have only a 40-60% accuracy rate.
Of course, accuracy often varies depending on the experience of the dog and the quality of its training, so always make sure to hire sniffers that have been vetted by professional certifying organization agencies like the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDCA).
When to Get a Canine Bed Bug Inspection:
- You’re getting persistent bug bites of unknown origin, usually at night or after coming back from a trip.
- You suspect bed bugs but have not been able to find any.
- You found a bed bug but don’t know where the rest are hiding.
- There have been recent bed bug sightings in neighboring apartments.
- You’re a landlord and your tenants have reported bed bugs.
- Bed bugs are suspected in unconventional, non-bedroom areas such as offices, schools, or stores.
- 30 days after a bed bug treatment was completed to confirm that extermination was successful.
Watch Out for These Red Flags:
- If the canine inspection team is not certified by NESDCA or WDDO.
- If the handler does not confirm the canine’s alerts with a visual inspection.
- If the company tries to sell you on treatment without showing evidence of bed bugs.
What to Expect During a Canine Bed Bug Inspection
The inspection team typically consists of one bed bug-sniffing dog and one human handler. The handler carefully guides the canine around each room in order to thoroughly sniff out all possible hiding spots.
During this time, other people and pets are usually asked to leave the areas being inspected in order to limit the number of scents that may distract the canine. You may save the hugs and pets for after the job is done.
If and when the canine detects any traces of bed bug scents, it alerts the handler who then confirms the finding with a visual inspection of the area.
At the end of the inspection, the handler provides the client with a detailed report of findings and evidence as well as options and recommendations for treatment.
How to Prepare for a Canine Bed Bug Inspection
To ensure an accurate canine bed bug inspection, cooperation from clients is very important — and much appreciated. At a minimum, please follow the 3 steps below prior to your scheduled visit from a bed bug sniffing dog:
- Reduce Clutter – Clear the inspection areas of any clutter, which prevents the canine from accessing bed bug hot spots hidden within. Pull furniture away from walls to give the team space.
- Minimize Odors – Prior to the inspection, avoid cooking anything that leaves strong smells, extinguish all smoking materials, and don’t use strong cleaning agents which can leave an overpowering scent.
- Remove Distractions – Temporarily remove any pets, pet food, or pet toys in the area, which might distract the canine. Minimize air movement and outside noise by turning off fans and air conditioners and closing windows.
Need Help with Bed Bugs?
Before deciding if you need a canine bed bug inspection, see if you’ve noticed of the 7 warning signs of a potential bed bug infestation.
If you’re dealing with bed bugs in New York or the Tri-State Area, contact MMPC today to learn more or request a quote for top-rated bed bug inspection and treatment services.