A trained dog can pick up the scent of live bed bugs and viable eggs hidden behind trim, deep inside a couch or under an RV mattress platform. Many homes in the hills around Millerton Lake are newer and roomy, and a K9 team can cover a large house quickly.
When a Dog Search Fits
- A big house with many bedrooms and closets.
- A trailer, camper or cabin boat with tight hiding spots.
- Bites continue but no one has seen a bug.
- Checking that a treatment worked.
- Screening a used couch or mattress before it comes inside.
How the Search Goes
- Walk-throughThe handler reviews the layout, then cues the dog to hunt live bugs and viable eggs only.
- Room by roomThe dog works past beds, seats, baseboards and outlets.
- AlertThe dog sits or holds its nose at a spot with bug scent.
- CheckThe handler confirms each alert by sight.
Questions for the K9 Team
Ask where the dog was trained and certified, how often the team runs practice searches and how alerts are confirmed. Be cautious if a company wants to treat a whole house based on one alert that no one checked.
Getting Ready
- Keep your own dogs and cats away from the search area.
- Skip scented candles and sprays that morning.
- Do not use insecticide in the days before the visit.
Questions About K9 Inspections
Can the dog check our camper along with the house?
Often it can, as long as the rig is parked where the team can reach it. Ask when you book so the handler plans the time.
If the dog alerts, is that proof of bed bugs?
No. The handler still has to find live bugs or eggs where the dog showed interest before anyone recommends treatment.
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 Friant. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.