Difference between revisions of "Dogs that sniff out Bed Bugs"
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Revision as of 16:24, 7 October 2009
Dogs that Sniff out Bed Bugs
Bed bug sniffing dogs got their start when a retired policeman whose job was
training k-9 dogs at a Florida college to find termites, wondered if he could
train them to sniff out bed bugs. Bed bugs were a problem in the late 18th and
early 19th centuries. They appeared for years and after World War 11 seemed to
have become a past nuisance. However, in the last few decades they have
resurfaced with a vengeance. If dogs could sniff out termites, why couldn’t they
find bed bugs? Researchers from Florida who specifically study insects, a
science referred to as entomology, did meticulous tests which validated what was
suspected all along. Not only could these dogs be trained to find termites, they
successfully found bed bugs and other annoying pests from the insect family.
With the same training employed with other k-9 units such as bomb and drug
sniffing jobs, the bed bug K-9 units were formed and rules for testing and how
to train these insect seeking dogs were employed. A business was born. An agency
was created to make and enforce certification guidelines for the new k-9 insect
dogs. The agency is “The National Entomology Scent Detection Canine
Association.” Many canine sniffing dog organizations which specialize in bed
bugs are now popping up all over. They will probably be in the forefront of
leading the war on bed bugs.
Just remember when looking for bed bug sniffing dogs there are several
directives to follow. Ask if the agencies are using certified dogs. Can the dogs
find bed bug eggs? If bed bugs are discovered, the next thing should be to
destroy them as soon as possible.
Bed bug infestations can be destroyed with diatomaceous earth. It is a natural
substance that is safe for us to use but is lethal to bed bugs. It massacres
entire bed bug populations by severing their exoskeletons which in turn causes
them to dehydrate and die. Bed bugs can spread rapidly, so proper elimination is
imperative.
By: Bradley Skierkowski