Canine scent detection has been effectively used in many fields. Dogs are used to detect drugs, bombs, cadavers, fugitives, mold, termites, rodents, and of course, bed bugs.
Bed bug inspections are time-consuming as every piece of furniture and bed items need to be turned over and carefully examined with a flashlight. Finding one or two bed bugs can be challenging, even for the experienced inspector. Well trained detection dogs will discover bed bug activity that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
Sniffing dogs add a new dimension to bed bug inspections. However, there are limitations that need to be considered before you hire a scent detection company. Poorly trained dogs that are more interested in getting a treat will alert to live bed bug activity when there is none.
Bed bug treatments are expensive, and for most people, they are hard to pay for. Before spending a couple of grand on a treatment, most of us will want to see concrete evidence of live activity. A well-trained bed bug detection dog should be able to detect as little as one live bed bug. Furthermore, they should be able to discriminate live bed bugs versus a previous infestation with old fecal stains and dead bed bugs.
In 2008, the University of Florida conducted a study on the ability of dogs to detect bed bugs. The researchers found that dogs were able to discriminate bed bugs from carpenter ants, German roaches, and subterranean termites with a 97.5% success rate. Additionally, the dogs were able to differentiate between live and dead bed bugs with a 95% success rate.
In 2014, however, a study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University found sniffing dogs to be less reliable. The study evaluated the accuracy of 11 teams (dog and handler) to detected bed bugs in naturally infested apartments. The experiment revealed a 44% success rate and a 15% false-positive rate.
Luckily, the National Pest Management Association “NPMA” has provided guidance for pest management professionals and consumers when considering canine scent detection. Before you hire a scent company, ask for independent third-party documentation that proves the team has been certified to accurately detect live bed bugs and viable eggs.