I received a call the other day from a woman who was concerned she had bed bugs. About a week after returning home from vacation she awoke with welts all over her body. She examined her bed and found one small red insect. She called the management company who sent in a tech who promptly identified it as a bed bug, stated his office would run some tests on it, and left with the insect. No further inspection was done. She then received a call from the pest control company telling her she had bed bugs, to prepare for a treatment and sent her a detailed prep sheet that included removing outlet covers, getting all her rugs professionally cleaned, washing and drying all her clothes etc. etc. The woman called us because she was looking for heat treatment as an alternative to chemical treatment and a process that was less intrusive. After speaking with her for several minutes it became clear that there was the possibility this was not bed bugs. We dispatched a canine who ran the unit which had no scent detected, was followed by a detailed inspection with no evidence found and we concluded there were no bed bugs in the unit. We did find spider beetles. Why our suspicions? First bed bug infestations usually start out gradually. A few bites followed by a lapse of several days that slowly increases in intensity. Eggs take 10-14 days to hatch, males and females usually feed 4-5 days apart, nymphs take a week to morph into a later stage so unless you bring back a large amount of insects it (the infestation) will start slowly. So waking up with bites all over doesnt make sense. Also bed bugs are easily identifiable to the trained eye. A tech that states its a bed bug and that it has to go to the office for "further testing" is immediatly suspicious. I dont know what kind of testing was done but it was obvioulsy incorrect. So what can you learn from this case? First, not all skin reactions or "bites" are bed bugs. There are many causes of skin irritations not just insects. Second SAVE YOUR BUG. This way you can get a second opinion and check yourself using the internet by looking at bed bug pictures. Most companies are ethical and honest but there are some that are cashing in on the panic and hype of bed bugs. Its always prudent to verify. So if you suspect you have bedbugs inspect, verify and above all don't panic.  

When faced with possible bed bug infestations, many if not most people are now choosing to bring in a scent detection dog to confirm if they have bed bugs or not.  There are canine teams cropping up left and right, which can lead to some serious feelings of being overwhelmed when trying to decide which dog/handler team is the most reliable.  Many teams are not properly trained, and are making the work of the honest bed bug dog more difficult.
The question is, what can you, the perspective customer, do to ensure that the dog you hire will take all necessary measures to give you an accurate inspection?  We have compiled a list of suggestions and questions to help you pick the best scent detection canine team available in your area.

Use the NESDCA, or other independent, third party (and nationally recognised) organization.  NESDCA - National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association - certification requires an annual testing of both dog and handler to prove that the team meet certain standards.

Are dogs demonstrated prior to an inspection? - Bed bug dogs are trained with live bed bugs (kept in vials safe from getting loose), and should be able to be demonstrated upon request.

Does the dog alert only to live bugs and viable eggs? - There is no sense pouring out money for expensive bed bug treatments if the smells the canine alerted to were those of dead bugs, cast skins, or fecal matter

Does the handler complete a visual confirmation (to the best of his/her ability) when/if the dog alerts?

Is the handler/canine team able to work with your schedule?

By educating yourself on the skills and services that should be available from your bed bug scent detection team, you will be sure to get the most accurate results.  Remember when deciding on a company, to purchase based upon quality and value, not by price.  If the price is too good to be true, it probably is!

A3 Superior Pest Control currently has three NESDCA (National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association) certified bed bug detection canines in the field.  Each of our dogs attends an intensive training at J&K Canine Academy, located in Florida. The dog is then paired with a handler, who must also complete an initial one week training session, and the two become a team.  Each team is then required to be certified annually through the NESDCA.  Through the methods used at J&K, each of our canines is taught to detect and alert to live bed bugs in all stages, as well as to their eggs.  Studies performed on canines certified by the NESDCA verify that these detection teams have accuracy rates of at least 95%.  We pride ourselves in the services that we are able to provide through our partnership with both J&K and the NESDCA.
To help further an understanding of the training that our bed bug detection canines go through, the following are the standards set forth by the NESDCA for certification purposes.  These standards apply to the test that is taken by each team (a team consists of one canine and one handler, the certification applies only to the specific dog and handler who completes the test, dogs are non-transferable from handler to handler without additional certification).
ACCEPTABLE STRUCTURE TYPES:

1. Residential dwellings.
   
2. Warehouse, office buildings, and multi-room interiors.
3. Schools, hotels, and motels.

HIDES:

1. Set at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of a certification.
   
2. Hidden in a place of concealment which is not visible to the dog or handler.
3. K-9 must alert at source.
4. Pseudo scents are not allowed for use in any certification.
5. 2 distracters will be put out at each certification.  The Chief Evaluator will decide what distracters will be used.  Distracters will not be placed in the same room as a live hide.
6. Will be provided by the team certifying in two separate containers.  They must also be approved by the certifying officials for content, packaging, and safety.
7. Must meet all standards set forth by NESDCA and approval of the evaluators or the evaluation will not be conducted.

EVALUATORS:

1. Will designate the area of the structure to be used for the test.
   
2. Will designate the area in which the team is to begin their search. (Usually at the front door)
3. Will accompany the team into the structure and must be able to observe the test.
4. If it is obvious to the evaluator that the dog is not working, the evaluator will inform the handler and the   handler will remove the dog from the test area and have not more than 30 minutes to return to the test area to repeat the test.  Failure of the dog to work a second time constitutes a failure for the test.

HANDLER:

1. This test may be done off lead.  Equipment normally used, collars, harness, etc., may be used.
   
2. The handler will accompany the dog throughout the test, and may encourage his/her dog with commands and praise as needed.
3. The dog's indication of the find must be obvious to the evaluator.

All tests given to the K9 team will be on a pass/fail basis.  The Chief Evaluator will determine if the team will be certified upon the completion of the test.  The handler and dog will be considered as a team and it is the team who will be certified.  If the dog changes handlers, a new team exists and the team will need to be certified.

This certification will be valid for one (1) year from the date of issue as defined in Certification Validity paragraph.