A trained detection dog can pick up the scent of live bed bugs and viable eggs hidden inside a sofa frame, behind a loose baseboard or deep in a headboard. For Willows motels near the interstate, small apartment buildings and family homes, a K9 team can cover a lot of rooms in a short visit.
Where a Dog Earns Its Keep
- Motel and guest rooms that change occupants often during hunting and race seasons.
- Apartments where a neighbor has bed bugs.
- Bites with nothing visible to the eye.
- Older houses with lots of trim, floor gaps and built-ins.
- Confirming that a treatment worked.
How the Search Goes
- StartThe handler explains that the dog signals only on live bed bugs and eggs that could hatch.
- Room sweepThe handler leads the dog along beds, sofas, baseboards and outlets in each room.
- SignalThe 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 an alert. Be wary of any company that wants to treat a full building or a row of motel rooms based on one unconfirmed alert.
Getting Ready for the Dog
- Keep family pets in another room or out in the yard.
- Avoid scented candles, sprays and heavy cooking smells that day.
- Do not apply any insecticide in the days before the search.
Questions About K9 Inspections
Can a dog check a whole row of motel rooms in one visit?
Yes. Covering many rooms quickly is what dog teams do best, which makes them a common choice for small lodging owners between busy weekends.
If the dog alerts, do I definitely have bed bugs?
Not by itself. The handler should confirm every alert by sight before any treatment is planned.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA runs its own bed bug inspections and treatments. We book an inspection at your Willows home at a time that suits you. We quote in writing, then treat once you say yes.