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How Dogs Are Trained to Detect Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are experts when it comes to hiding. They squeeze into the tiniest mattress seams making them almost impossible to detect. However, when it comes to bed bug removal, there’s a new exterminator in town, and he has four legs. Keep reading to learn more these furry bug catchers from Sleep Tight Pest Control.
The Demand for Canine Services
In addition to their companionship, dogs have a unique gift in being able to detect the slightest scent. Compared to a human, the olfactory cortex in the brain, responsible for interpreting smell, is 40 times larger than the olfactory of a human. Like the taste buds on your tongue, the human brain has approximately 5 million odor receptors responsible for distinguishing smell. Dogs, on the other hand, have over 300 million odor receptors. This unique trait makes the canine perfect for detecting drugs, tracking criminals, and even diagnosing cancer. In 2009, Dr. Clair Guest of Bedfordshire, England, was diagnosed with breast cancer at a very early stage thanks to her dog, Daisy. Daisy detected a change in her owner’s scent and pushed her nose against the spot where the cancer was located. With a nose as sensitive as that, dogs are the perfect companion for a bed bug exterminator.
The Right Dog for the Job
The best dogs for detection jobs usually come from the hunting class of dog breeds. This class includes bloodhounds and beagles, but other kinds like collies, terriers, and labradors are also gifted sniffers. Smaller breeds are preferred because they're less intimidating to customers and they’re easier to transfer. They can get into crawl spaces and under beds easier than their human counterparts. In addition to their heightened sense of smell, dogs possess a trait that's very rare in the animal kingdom: a desire to please their handlers. Whether it’s chasing a stick or hunting bed bugs, dogs are very task-oriented and share in their handler’s excitement when the job is done right.
Canine Exterminator Training
Detection dogs usually start training when they're about eight months old. Schools will also adopt older dogs from local shelters if they have the right temperament. Training programs consist of 800-1,000 hours basic obedience training and hunting bed bugs in a mock hotel room. Dogs are lavished with treats and praise when they successfully locate the pests. Compared to a human doing a visual inspection with an accuracy rate of about 30%, a trained canine has a detection accuracy rate of 98%. The next time you need inspection for bed bugs, don’t be surprised when these four-legged friends answer the call.
Sleep Tight Don't Let The Bugs Bite, LLC
Brent Williamson, Owner
Pesticide Business License# 105437
*Guarantee and Warranty for Bed Bug Contracts Only.
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