Using a K9 for Inspections
Why use a Detection K9?
We use highly trained canines for inspections only so there is no incentive whether we locate pest or not. Just peace of mind.
- Unaffiliated to extermination meaning it is completely unbiased inspections with no incentives to sell you more treatment than you need
- āAs close to perfect accuracy as you can get down to a single bugāā
- Find bed bugs early offering effective treatments whilst protecting your walletāā
- Detection dogs work efficiently, saving time.
When to use a Bed Bug Detection K9
Bed bugs are very adaptable and regularly travel up to 20-feet from their hiding places during their nocturnal routine.
The cracks and crevices that provide safe havens for these pests can be easy to miss, even for experienced inspectors.
Specially trained scent-detection dogs can locate hiding places more accurately than a solely visual inspection, catching things their human companions may have missed.
If you suspect you might have a bed bug problem, a K9 team will sniff out answers to these questions for you:
- Do you really have bed bugs?
- Where are they hiding?
- How bad is the infestation?
In order for the canine inspection team to accurately locate bed bugs and their hiding places, itās imperative that you prepare your home properly prior to inspection.
How To Prepare for a K9 Bed Bug Inspection
Preparation required before inspection:
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 itās important that you donāt. This can spread bed bugs around your home, making it more difficult to eliminate them.
- Donāt 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 youāre planning to schedule an inspection, itās 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. Itās much easier for canines to search for bugs in a clean, clutter-free environment.
On the day of the inspection, itās 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 youāve taken any overnight trips recently, be sure leave the suitcases and bags out so they can also be sniffed for potential bed bugs.
Bed Bug Detection Dogs vs. Visual Inspections
Whatās the Difference?
When it comes to bed bug inspections, accuracy and early detection matter. Bed bugs are experts at hiding, and missing even a small infestation can lead to bigger problems down the line. Two common inspection methods are traditional visual inspections and bed bug detection dogs. While both have their place, they are not created equal.
Visual Inspections: The Traditional Approach
A visual inspection involves a technician manually checking common bed bug hiding spotsāmattresses, box springs, furniture seams, baseboards, and cracks or crevices. This method can be effective when infestations are large or obvious, but it has limitations.
Bed bugs are tiny, nocturnal, and excellent at concealing themselves. Early infestations, low-level activity, or bugs hidden deep inside walls or furniture can easily be missed during a visual inspection. Visual inspections are also time-consuming and often require moving furniture or partial disassembly to be thorough.
Bed Bug Detection Dogs: A Faster, More Accurate Option
Bed bug detection dogs are specially trained to identify the scent of live bed bugs and viable eggs. A properly trained K9 can inspect a room in minutes and detect infestations that are invisible to the human eye.
Unlike visual inspections, detection dogs donāt rely on seeing bugs or signs like fecal spotting or shed skins. Instead, they use their powerful sense of smell to pinpoint the exact location of bed bug activityāeven inside walls, furniture, or cluttered spaces.
When Visual Inspections Still Matter
Visual inspections can still play a role, especially when confirming large infestations or following up after treatment. In many cases, the most effective approach combines K9 detection with visual confirmation by a trained handler.
The Bottom Line
If you want the most accurate, efficient way to detect bed bugsāespecially in apartments, hotels, multi-unit housing, or when infestations are suspected but not visibleāa bed bug detection dog offers a powerful advantage. Early and accurate detection saves time, money, and stress.
If you suspect bed bugs or want peace of mind, a professional K9 inspection can provide answers you can trust.