Dogs to detect bed bugs? A surprising method at first sight, canine detection has nevertheless proved its worth and is regularly used by pest control professionals. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, its reliability, the precautions to be taken and its cost.
How can dogs detect bed bugs?
The exceptional power of the canine sense of smell
A dog’s nose is 100,000 to 1 million times more sensitive than the human nose.
Thanks to their exceptionally well-developed sense of smell, detection dogs are able to spot bed bugs even in hard-to-reach areas such as the seams of mattresses, cracks in baseboards, and gaps in box springs and headboards. Bed bugs give off a distinctive scent, mainly composed of pheromones and other chemical compounds that humans can’t perceive, but which dogs are able to detect even at extremely low concentrations.
Special training for detection dogs
Dogs’ innate olfactory abilities are not enough. Rigorous training is required to turn them into bed bug detection dogs. In practice, they are trained to associate the distinctive smell of bed bugs with a reward (food or play), which motivates them to actively seek out these pests. They are then put through their paces in real-life situations in homes or premises, looking for signs of infestation. After intensive training, the dog needs to be retrained every 6 weeks to maintain high detection skills. Detection dogs are companion animals that need to get on very well with their owners. They need to be sociable to be effective.
Is canine detection effective?
Yes, thanks to their ultra-developed sense of smell, dogs can not only detect live bed bugs, but also locate areas where these pests have left traces, facilitating more targeted and effective insect control. The dog needs to get within 10 cm of the bed bug or egg to smell the pheromone if the infestation is low.
The method is regularly used by private individuals, tourism professionals, hospitals, etc.
Unlike human inspection, which may require dismantling furniture or using specific tools to inspect hard-to-reach areas, a dog can scan a room quickly and identify infested areas without disturbing the environment. What’s more, this method is non-invasive and avoids the early use of chemicals (aerosols, etc.).
This method enables owners or professionals to take immediate action to treat the infestation and prevent its spread.
In the case of cinemas, this means that infested seats can be accurately detected, rather than having to treat the whole theatre, which would be too costly.
How does canine detection work?
Canine detection of bed bugs is a methodical procedure involving collaboration between a specially trained dog and its handler.
Preparing the intervention
Before the dog arrives, it’s advisable to prepare the area to be inspected to maximize detection efficiency. You can :
- Clear rooms: Remove bulky objects or piles of clothing that could impede access to the areas to be inspected. Furniture should be positioned to allow the dog to move around freely.
- Avoid strong odors: Chemicals, perfumes, essential oils or air fresheners can disturb a dog’s sense of smell.
- Do not use natural products such as diatomaceous earth.
- Limit distractions: Make sure the room is quiet and free of distractions so the dog can concentrate on his task. Keep other pets and children away.
Dog inspection
Once on site, the handler walks around the area with Once on site, the handler walks around the area with his detector dog.
The dog begins sniffing out areas likely to be harboring bed bugs, including:
- Beds and bedding: mattresses, box springs, pillows and headboards, where bed bugs tend to hide.
- Furniture: sofa seams, drawers and upholstered furniture are also examined.
- Cracks and nooks: Skirting boards, cracks in walls and electrical outlets are common hiding places for bed bugs.
- Textiles and luggage: Bags, suitcases and other personal items are also inspected, especially if an infestation is suspected after a trip.
When it detects the smell of bed bugs, the dog will react in a specific way, for example by sitting or lightly scratching the spot where it perceives their presence. This signal enables the handler to mark the areas at risk for further inspection.
Confirmation and report
Once the dog has signaled suspect areas, the handler performs a visual check (detecting traces of blood, etc.) or uses other tools to confirm the presence of bed bugs. If bedbugs or eggs/larvae are found, a pest control intervention will be recommended.
The handler then provides a detailed report on the infested areas, with recommendations for treatment.
This report is essential for planning the next step: chemical, thermal or mechanical intervention to eradicate bed bugs.
How long does a dog detection inspection take?
In general, a complete inspection can last from 30 minutes to several hours for a house or a larger establishment such as a hotel. Dogs should only work a maximum of 4 to 5 hours a day, in 45-minute sessions, interspersed with 45-minute rests. If they are too tired, there is a risk of false positives, as the dog will tend to make false markings to finish its work quickly.
A canine detection video
We would like to thank Oh-Uc for their demonstration.
When to call in a canine detection company?
Canine bed bug detection involves using specially trained sniffer dogs to detect the presence of bed bugs in homes and other premises, such as hotels and cinemas.
The dogs intervene as a preventive measure, in case of suspicion or to make a diagnosis.
- A private individual may need to carry out a canine detection if in doubt, or after a treatment to confirm its success.
- A hotel may use this method as a preventive measure, with a dog visiting the rooms every month.
- A landlord can carry out a diagnosis between two tenants.
How much does canine detection for bed bugs cost?
Average canine detection rates for private individuals :
| Area to be detected | Average rate |
|---|---|
| 0 to 30 m² | 170 € |
| 30 to 60 m² | 200 € |
| 60 to 90 m² | 250 € |
| 90 to 120 m² | 275 € |
| 120 to 150 m² | 305 € |
| 150 to 180 m² | 330 € |
| 180 to 210 m² | 350 € |
| 210 to 240 m² | 350 € |
| 240 to 270 m² | 370 € |
| 270 to 300 m² | 390 € |
A visual check is essential to confirm the presence of bed bugs.
Good to know: if bed bugs appear 15 days after the dog’s visit, the service provider should ideally offer a new detection free of charge.
Average dog detection rates for professionals:
- Hotels and B&Bs: Approx. €200/room.
- Offices/open spaces: variable, depending on m².
- Cinemas: from €450 to €800 depending on number of seats.
Our tips for finding a reliable service provider
Here are our tips for identifying reliable dog detection companies:
- Bed bugs certification
- Forwarding of a complete intervention report
- Request visual proof of bed bugs (photos, videos, etc.)
- Watch out for the dog’s mistakes
- Remain in the room during the dog’s intervention
Canine detection: effective for other pests?
La réponse dépend du type d’insecte et de The answer depends on the type of insect and the dog’s specific training.
Dogs can be trained to detect a variety of insect pests, including :
- Termites
- Cockroaches
- Carpenter ants
The effectiveness of canine detection depends on the animals’ ability to be trained to recognize the specific smell of an insect. Insects that do not give off a distinct odor, or that live in environments where other odors dominate, may be more difficult to detect.
