A trained detection dog can smell live bed bugs and eggs that are still able to hatch, even deep in a recliner, behind a headboard or inside a gap in old paneling. In Monte Rio, where many homes are opened up only for the summer, a K9 team is a fast way to check a whole house at once.
When a Dog Helps Most
- Opening a second home that sat closed through the winter.
- Houses with many beds, bunks or sofa beds for visiting family.
- Bites that continue when no bugs can be seen.
- Older homes with board walls and deep trim.
- Confirming that a treatment finished the job.
How the Search Works
- BeginThe dog has been trained to react only to live bed bugs and eggs that can hatch.
- SearchThe handler leads it along beds, chairs, closets, trim and outlets in each room.
- SignalWhen it finds the scent, the dog sits or holds its nose at the spot.
- VerifyThe handler checks each signal by eye and shows you the evidence.
Questions to Ask a K9 Team
Find out where the dog trained, who certifies the team and how often they practice together. Ask what happens after an alert and how it gets confirmed. Be wary of anyone who wants to treat a whole house because the dog reacted once and nobody found a bug.
Before the Dog Arrives
- Put your own pets in a room or car the team will not search.
- Avoid fireplace smoke, scented candles and strong cooking that day.
- Do not use any bug spray in the days before the search.
Questions About K9 Inspections
Can a dog check our summer house before the family arrives?
Yes, and it is one of the best times to use one. A dog can sweep every bedroom, sofa bed and bunk in a short visit, so you know where things stand before anyone unpacks.
The dog alerted on the couch. Is that proof?
Not by itself. The handler should find the bugs or eggs at that spot and show you before any treatment is planned.
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 Monte Rio. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.