Working in Harmony

It is no secret that the prevalence of bed bugs is on the rise. The non-discriminating, blood-sucking insects are infiltrating more than just homes and hotels these days. They can be found in libraries, hospitals, doctors’ offices, airplanes and movie theaters — basically any high-traffic area frequented by the public. They can induce fear and anxiety in those who believe they have fallen victim to an infestation and they can be a costly problem in commercial settings. So, finding and eradicating any bed bug situation is of utmost importance.

While pest control companies have traditionally provided visual bed bug inspections, the challenges of finding the bugs has prompted the emergence of canine detection companies into the marketplace. This often has been met with mixed reviews. Some view the dogs as a threat to their business while others try to emulate canine inspection companies by getting a dog of their own to assist in inspections. In our experience, the golden ticket lies where the pest control and canine detection companies work together to better serve their customers.

To begin, pest control and canine detection companies should not be seen as competing with one another. Each offers strengths the other doesn’t possess and by working together it’s a win for all involved, especially the customer.

The biggest advantage pest control companies have is, of course, the ability to manage these pests. Most canine inspection companies do not offer management services, as it is a conflict of interest to be the company that both finds and fixes a problem that is difficult for the average person to detect. Because our company is not paid to control bed bugs, there is no incentive to “discover” an infestation that doesn’t exist.

Our strength lies in determining whether or not there is an infestation and the extent of the problem. This is difficult and costly for a pest control company to do and includes an inherent conflict of interest. Without dogs, PCOs must rely on what they can see, which requires suiting up and leaving no piece of furniture unturned. The process can take many hours and is usually only 35 to 40 percent accurate because bed bugs often harborage in places not visible to the human eye.

Bed bug-sniffing dogs, on the other hand, offer a 90 to 95 percent accuracy rate because they are using their nose instead of their eyes. They are trained on the scent of live bed bugs and viable eggs and thus will only alert if they detect that odor. Using a canine detection company also cuts down on the amount of time required for an inspection. Where a visual bed bug inspection may take hours, a canine inspection can be completed within a matter of minutes. In the end, canine detection is fast, accurate and honest. The dogs don’t lie, they don’t know how.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES. In much the same way a doctor works with a radiologist to diagnose a condition, pest control companies can utilize canine detection to identify the extent of a problem. A doctor will use the information provided by the radiologist to determine the best course of treatment. Similarly, the PCO can utilize the results of canine detection to better focus their treatment, saving both time and money while achieving more successful results the first time.

Working together will produce great results, but that’s not to say there won’t be bumps in the road. From time-to-time, canine detection will complete an inspection and pinpoint each location where the dog alerted to the presence of bed bugs. But, when the pest control company arrives to treat, the bugs are nowhere to be found. When the dogs return for a follow-up inspection, more often than not, they once again alert to bed bugs in the same location as before.

This kind of back and forth can put the two companies at odds with each other, with both debating whether or not there truly are bed bugs. When this happens, our experience has shown that it is better not to point fingers but rather to get the customer involved in the conversation. The dogs alerted for a reason, so before you discredit their work, dig a little deeper.

Often the customer will remember a key piece of information that brings all of the disparate pieces together. Finding the bed bugs may be something as simple as removing a headboard that’s nailed into the wall or something as elusive as following the airflow in the room.

Working together can reap many benefits for all involved. By utilizing a canine detection company to inspect before beginning treatment, you are far more likely to achieve better results from treatment in less time while saving money. By reducing countless man hours conducting visual inspections you will achieve a more productive use of labor while saving money needlessly spent on treating areas that are not involved. By working in tandem, customers will ultimately benefit knowing they are getting the best of both worlds.