Below is a paragraph from a study done by the University
of Florida concerning canine detection. It is important to understand that canine detection is a great
tool. It is however not the Silver Bullet that many make it out to be. To use a
canine to pin point the location of bed bugs for spot treatments is careless. One cluster of
eggs, a cluster of nymphs or one fertilized female bed bug missed during such
an exercise renders any remediation efforts as shots in the dark. If you have a
Pest Control Company, PCO or PMP that promotes spot treatments. Understand what
you are paying for.
HOUSEHOLD AND STRUCTURAL INSECTS
Ability of Bed Bug-Detecting Canines to Locate Live Bed Bugs
and Viable Bed Bug Eggs
MARGIE PFIESTER, 1 PHILIP G. KOEHLER, AND ROBERTO M. PEREIRA
Department of Entomology, Building 970 Natural Area Drive,
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611Ð0620
-Sometimes dogs do not indicate when the target odor is
present; they show no indication. In our study, all dogs had a 10%
no-indication rate on viable bed bug eggs. Dogs trained to respond to a
target odor will react only if the target odor meets or surpasses a threshold
concentration (Moulton 1972, Settles 2005). The relatively high
no-indication rate of our dogs on viable bed bug eggs may be due to low
concentration of target odor, although the 90% positive indication rate on the
viable bed bug eggs was within the acceptable minimum standard. However, a
dog’s response also must be interpreted by the handler. No indications can be
caused by the handler misreading dog behavior, emphasizing the importance of an
experienced handler.-
Canine detection is a valuable tool. Like any trade. There is no one tool that does it all. Have questions - please ask.
I have been a canine handler for many years. I have worked in Manhattan, Purchase NY, Boston Mass., Rochester NY, Pittsburgh Pa, Maryland and many areas in between. I have conducted canine inspections in executive suites, board rooms, executive dinning areas, large warehouses, department stores, section 8 housing, hotel rooms, large estate homes to cabins, university class rooms, libraries, dorm rooms etc.
