K9 Bed Bug Detection

Things are hectic enough when you think you have bed bugs.

Here is our simple checklist that tells you exactly what steps to take to prepare for your bed bug check.

• Keep everything where it is: It may be tempting to move items out of an infested area or toss bedding and clothes, but it’s important that you don’t. This can spread bed bugs around your home, making it more difficult to eliminate them.
• Don’t apply pesticides: Our bed bug-sniffing dogs have sensitive noses, and pesticides can interfere with their ability to detect bed bugs.
• Make a clear path: We need easy access to the area, so you may have to reposition furniture or other large items that could get in the way.
• All pets, toys and their food/ treats must be removed from inspection area. Cats and their litter boxes can be placed in bathroom with door closed. (Note: only non-cloth toys should be removed, as cloth toys hold the scent of bed bugs)
• Be present: In order for us to inspect your home, we need someone to let us inside. To avoid distractions to our K9s, we may ask that you vacate the residence briefly or wait in another area of the home.
• Any glue traps, snap traps or any other items that may hurt the K9 or handler must be removed.

 Our canine inspectors prefer a controlled environment in order to provide you with the most accurate diagnosis possible. If you’re planning to schedule an inspection, it’s also important to refrain from spraying pesticides in and around your home. Chemical pesticides can mask the scent of bed bugs, and exposure can also be toxic to the canines such as Diatomaceous Earth, Boric Acid, Silica Gel or excessive dusts as well as exposed carpet tacks or other sharp objects that may injure our dogs.

Certain household conditions, such as clutter may make it harder for dogs to accurately locate bed bugs.  It’s much easier for canines to search for bugs in a clean, clutter-free environment. 
On the day of the inspection, it’s helpful to move large furniture at least 2 feet away from the walls so that the canine has plenty of room to search around baseboards, corners, and furniture in each room. If you’ve taken any overnight trips recently, be sure leave the suitcases and bags out so they can also be sniffed for potential bed bugs.