A trained detection dog can pick up the scent of live bed bugs and viable eggs inside a sofa frame, behind baseboard or in a wall gap. On big Alpine properties with several bedrooms and a guest unit, a K9 team covers a lot of ground in one visit.
When a Dog Makes Sense
- Large ranch homes with many bedrooms.
- Lots with a guest house, granny flat or visitor trailer.
- Bites but no bugs found by eye.
- Rentals between tenants.
- Confirming a treatment worked.
How the Search Runs
- StartThe dog is trained to respond only to live bed bugs and viable eggs.
- SweepThe handler leads the dog along beds, seating, trim and outlets in each room.
- AlertThe dog sits or points its nose at the source.
- VerifyThe handler checks each alert by eye.
What to Ask the K9 Team
Ask where the dog trained, which group certifies it, how often it practices and how the handler confirms alerts. Be wary of a company that wants to treat every building on a lot because of one alert nobody has confirmed.
Getting Ready
- Keep your dogs, cats and horses away from the search areas.
- Avoid candles, sprays and strong cooking smells that day.
- Do not apply insecticide in the days before the visit.
Questions About K9 Inspections
Can the dog check the guest house as well?
Yes. A K9 team can move from the main house to a cottage or granny flat in the same visit, which is quicker than a full visual search of each one.
Is a dog alert proof of bed bugs?
No. The handler has to confirm each alert by finding the bugs or eggs before any treatment is planned.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Alpine. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.