Why should I get a K9 inspection?

Finding bed bugs in your home can be extremely difficult. Bed bugs can hide in the most obscure places, and if you’re not sure where to look, you may never find them. Adults can grow as large as an apple seed but bed bugs at younger stages are almost undetectable. They are also extremely thin and can slip through areas as thin as a credit card. Because of this ability, it’s possible to have a bed bug infestation and not even know it. Some telltale signs of bed bugs, such as blood stains, bites, and black fecal stains, may not be present. Therefore, if you think you may have bed bugs, the best way to confirm your suspicions is through a K9 inspection.

How does a K9 inspection work?

A K9 inspection involves the use of a specially trained dog to sniff out bed bugs. This dog is professionally trained to find bed bugs; from adults to eggs. A bed bug detection dog usually has a 90-95% accuracy rate; much higher than any human inspection. However, there are a few things you need to know before deciding to get a K9 inspection.

●      The dog and its handler need to have NESDCA (National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association) accreditation. The NESDCA overlooks the training of bed bug detection dogs and ensures the quality of each K9 & its handler. You can find a list of accredited teams near your area at www.nesdca.com.

●      Ask the company to hide a bed bug sample in your home. It allows you to see the dog in action as well as its reaction to finding bed bugs. Not all dogs react the same way so it's important that you know the signs.

●      If a dog does find something in an area of your house, don't panic. Make sure the dog goes back to confirm before the end of the inspection to ensure it wasn’t a false positive.

●      It's best to hire a canine inspection company that is independent of an extermination company. An independent K9 company does not have any incentive to exaggerate bed bug problems within your home. Be wary of any K9 companies that firmly recommend a specific extermination company, as well as an extermination company that has their own K9 inspection team.

How much do K9 inspections cost?

The cost of a canine inspection varies among companies. Generally you’re looking at $200-$400, but keep in mind that this initial investment can mean the difference between spotting the problem early enough and a full blown bed bug infestation.

Jeff Eisenberg, the President and Founder of Pest Away Exterminating, Inc., has over 20 years of experience in the pest control industry and believes education and preventive measures are the keys to stopping the bed bug problem dead in its tracks. Canine inspections can either uncover the problem and allow you to take steps to treat it, or help you sleep better at night knowing you do not have a bed bug infestation. For more details visit   http://www.pestawayinc.com/