Our Canine Inspection Services
Canine inspections can be used for several purposes. Some of them include:
- As part of a maintenance plan
- To inspect units surrounding a known infestation
- For light infestations where there is no visual evidence
During a canine inspection, specially-trained dogs are used to “indicate” when they have smelled live bed bugs or eggs. The dogs and handlers work as a team to increase accuracy and reduce time when inspecting hotels, multi-family units, public buildings, and private homes.
Canine inspection is currently available only in the Tacoma, WA area.
Why Use Canine (K9) Bed Bug Detection?
Humans have benefitted from dogs’ keen sense of smell for years. Canines have been used in search and rescue and have been trained to detect such things as explosives, narcotics, and weapons. Now we are asking them to assist us in detecting the elusive bed bug.
Dogs have more than 220 million olfactory receptors in their nose, while humans have only 5 million. Studies have shown dogs’ sense of smell to be one thousand times greater than that of humans. If sensory epithelia in a dog’s nose were laid out, it would cover about 450 square feet. If the sensory epithelia of the average man were laid out, it would cover only 2 square feet.
At Pure Environmental we use canine inspection as an additional tool to confirm the presence of bed bugs when a visual inspection is not conclusive and as a part of our regular maintenance plan in areas where there have been infestations in the past.
FAQs About Our K9 Bed Bug Inspection Services
What If I Can See the Bed Bugs?
If you’ve already identified a bed bug infestation, take the first step towards eradicating the problem and give us a call today! Our team is ready and equipped to handle your bed bug infestation with our highly effective bed bug heat treatment.
Is a Canine Inspection More Effective Than a Visual Inspection?
If you suspect you have been exposed to bed bugs, the best starting point is a thorough visual inspection. Some infestations, especially ones on the lighter side, are tougher to identify with a visual inspection alone. A canine inspection may be necessary to confirm the presence of bed bugs. Our carefully trained dogs can detect live bed bugs and bed bug eggs with a high level of accuracy. Our canine teams can find the bed bugs within minutes, making the inspection more accurate and cost-effective.
How Do K9 Inspections for Maintenance Work?
Having regular canine inspections is a great way to ensure your property is clean, safe, and bed-bug-free. We highly recommend rental property owners schedule canine inspections of the whole property at least once annually. It is also recommended to have a canine inspection for bed bugs when a unit is turning over and again 4 weeks after a new tenant.
Do You Offer K9 Inspections for Hotels?
Yes! You can’t control when bed bugs come to your hotel. But when they come, you want to find them before your guests do.
Your guests have zero tolerance for bed bugs. And so should you. The solution? Stay ahead of the game – keep your hotel property at the Zero Baseline™. Learn more about our Zero Baseline™ Agreement can protect your hotel from bed bug infestations.