Bed bugs are a major problem in America, with 20% of Americans having experienced them or knowing someone who has. Pest control professionals consider them the most difficult pest to control. However, pest control companies have started using bedbug-sniffing dogs to find these pests. But how accurate are these dogs? Let’s find out!
Signs Your Dog is Smelling Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on blood and are hard to detect. They leave bite marks and bloodstains on bedding, and their fecal matter is visible as small dark brown or black spots. Dogs have strong noses and can smell bed bugs. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and inspect areas they sniff to confirm bed bug findings.
Body Language
Signs that your dog has detected bed bugs include being alert, wagging their tail, sniffing, and freezing their body.
Other Signs
Other signs to watch for include your dog stopping and sitting patiently in front of an area, pointing their nose at infested areas, or acting weird or “off.”
The Science Behind Dogs Smelling Bed Bugs
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, with 220 million scent cells compared to our 5 million. Their wet noses help particles in the air attach, enhancing their smelling abilities. Dogs also have larger scent analyzing areas in their brains. Detection dogs are trained to seek out specific scents, including bed bugs, and alert their trainers. The National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association is the only facility in America with accreditations for training scent dogs.
Controversy Surrounding Canine Detection
The accuracy of canine detection with bed bugs has been controversial. In a study, seven out of eleven canine detection teams found a home to be bed bug-free, even though it was certified as such by entomologists. Reasons for false alerts range from mistakes to dogs wanting treats. Always request evidence of bed bug presence before treatment.
How to Train Your Dog to Detect Bed Bugs
While canine detection is not always 100% accurate, you can train your dog to find bed bugs. Use treats and positive reinforcement to reward your dog for finding containers with live bed bugs. Gradually make the detection process more challenging by using dead bugs, shell casings, fecal matter, and eventually samples with no food. Practice is key to training your dog for bed bug detection.
“Trust your dog’s nose – they have the incredible ability to detect even the tiniest of bed bugs!”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and where they sniff. If your dog is consistently sniffing in a specific area, it could be a sign of a bed bug infestation. Inspect the area to confirm any findings.
2️⃣ Look out for signs of bed bugs such as bloodstains or bites on your body, small dark brown or black fecal matter on bedding or furniture, and unusual behavior from your dog such as freezing or pointing their nose at infested areas.
3️⃣ While canine detection for bed bugs is not always 100% accurate, training your dog to detect bed bugs can be done with treats and positive reinforcement. Start by making your dog earn treats and gradually introduce samples with bed bugs for them to locate. Practice and repetition are key in training your dog to detect bed bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. How accurate are bedbug-sniffing dogs in detecting bed bugs?
Answer: Bedbug-sniffing dogs have strong noses and are capable of accurately detecting bed bugs, but there have been cases of false alerts due to various reasons.
2. What are the signs that your dog has detected bed bugs?
Answer: Signs that your dog has detected bed bugs include being alert, wagging tail, sniffing, and body freezing. They may also stop and sit patiently in front of an infested area or point their nose at infested areas.
3. How do dogs have such a strong sense of smell compared to humans?
Answer: Dogs have around 220 million cells in their noses compared to the 5 million cells in human noses. They also have a larger part of their brain dedicated to analyzing scents. These factors contribute to their exceptional sense of smell.
4. How accurate is canine detection for bed bugs?
Answer: Canine detection for bed bugs is not always 100% accurate. In a study conducted on a detection team in New York City, some teams falsely identified a bed bug-free home as infested. False alerts can occur due to various factors, including mistakes or dogs wanting treats.
5. Can you train your dog to detect bed bugs?
Answer: Yes, it is possible to train your dog to detect bed bugs. Training can be done using treats and positive reinforcement. By teaching your dog to locate food samples with bed bugs, you can train them to detect bed bugs in hidden locations and provide further action for extermination.
