Not Sure If You Have Bed Bugs? Ask the Dog!
The bed bug epidemic shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Despite several new innovative ways of treating infestations and detection, somehow the bugs are still winning the war.
There is one innovative idea in particular that has moved from unheard of to mainstream over the past few years: bed bug detection dogs.
This inspection technique involves using highly trained detection canines that only alert on the presence of bed bug odor.
As a consumer, there are a few things you should know before you decide to hire a detection canine.
First of all, when at all possible try to use a third-party detection company that does not provide extermination services.
This is to avoid a conflict of interest as there have been many cases in which I have personally seen customers being scared into a treatment by a dog false alerting.
When you hire a third-party they have nothing to gain whether bed bugs are found or not because they are getting paid either way.
Next, Do your research on the company you are about to hire.
Check with the better business bureau and try to find the company online to see if there are any customer reviews.
Make sure to get proof that the bed bug detection dog team is certified at or above the standards of the National Pest Management Association's guidelines.
Unfortunately, the certification is not required anywhere in the nation and anyone can simply claim their dog is a bed bug detection dog which is why it is so important to do your research.
Last of all, if you do end up hiring a detection dog and the dog has an alert make sure you have the handler show you physical evidence of the infestation.
If there is no physical evidence then there is no infestation.
In rare cases there are circumstances such as an alert that can't be verified without destroying a piece of furniture or pulling baseboards off of the wall.
Be very cautious with these type of so-called alerts that can't be verified as this is how some people are talked into having a treatment done when it is not necessary.
A well trained bed bug detection dog team is by far the best method for those that suspect that they have a bed bug issue but are unable to find any evidence themselves.
The inspection won't be cheap; however it will be much cheaper than a treatment and most importantly it will give piece of mind.
Despite several new innovative ways of treating infestations and detection, somehow the bugs are still winning the war.
There is one innovative idea in particular that has moved from unheard of to mainstream over the past few years: bed bug detection dogs.
This inspection technique involves using highly trained detection canines that only alert on the presence of bed bug odor.
As a consumer, there are a few things you should know before you decide to hire a detection canine.
First of all, when at all possible try to use a third-party detection company that does not provide extermination services.
This is to avoid a conflict of interest as there have been many cases in which I have personally seen customers being scared into a treatment by a dog false alerting.
When you hire a third-party they have nothing to gain whether bed bugs are found or not because they are getting paid either way.
Next, Do your research on the company you are about to hire.
Check with the better business bureau and try to find the company online to see if there are any customer reviews.
Make sure to get proof that the bed bug detection dog team is certified at or above the standards of the National Pest Management Association's guidelines.
Unfortunately, the certification is not required anywhere in the nation and anyone can simply claim their dog is a bed bug detection dog which is why it is so important to do your research.
Last of all, if you do end up hiring a detection dog and the dog has an alert make sure you have the handler show you physical evidence of the infestation.
If there is no physical evidence then there is no infestation.
In rare cases there are circumstances such as an alert that can't be verified without destroying a piece of furniture or pulling baseboards off of the wall.
Be very cautious with these type of so-called alerts that can't be verified as this is how some people are talked into having a treatment done when it is not necessary.
A well trained bed bug detection dog team is by far the best method for those that suspect that they have a bed bug issue but are unable to find any evidence themselves.
The inspection won't be cheap; however it will be much cheaper than a treatment and most importantly it will give piece of mind.
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