by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: November 18, 2011

With the increasing number of bed bugs infesting homes and hotels over the country, it makes sense for companies to seek out solutions to this evolving problem. Stronger and stronger pesticides are being developed and more and more pest control companies are hired in hopes to reduce the spread of these pesky parasites. It comes as no surprise therefore when man's best friend teams up with pest control companies in the battle against bed bugs. Learn what dogs make good bed bug detectors and how they are trained to use their powerful noses to detect their presence.

 Qualities and Advantages of Bed Bug Detector Dogs

 In order to detect bed bugs, a keen sense of smell can work wonders. Equipped with 220 million olfactory receptors in their nose dogs have a superior sense of smell when compared to humans which have only about 5-6 million receptors. Bed bugs are known for releasing a distinct smell that can be detected by trained dogs often with 90% accuracy. The advantages are several: bed bug detector dogs can sense bed bugs without the need of stripping down walls or moving furniture, and best of all, dogs can reach areas people may not be able to reach detecting problems before they reach uncontrollable proportions. 

 Generally, hunting breeds such as Labradors, Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, Australian Shepherds and  Beagles have the potential for being good bed bug detector dogs, explains Certified Master Dog Trainer Bill Whitstine who owns and operates the Florida Canine Academy and trains bed bug detection dogs. Bill Whitstine is also the first actual trainer to have trained and certified dogs in bed bug detection in the United States with about 150 dogs internationally. 

 The qualities looked for in a good bed bug candidate encompass friendliness, intelligence, a good level of energy, and of course, a strong drive that keeps these dogs focused and going. Generally, bed bug detection training takes between 600 to 800 hours of training to achieve certification as a bed bug detection dog. However, a bed bug detection dog will require routine proofing and annual re-certification to continue working.

The number of bed bug detecting dogs is steadily increasing especially since bed bug detecting dogs are capable of offering an alternative to the heavy use of pesticides. Since bed bug detector dogs may pinpoint specific areas of infestation, they can significantly reduce the excessive use of pesticides in more widespread areas.

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