Bed Bugs Detection Dog
|
Ekko is trained to in the detection of mould, carpenter ants, bed bugs... <read more> |
Bed Bugs
For the last 50 years, bed bugs have rarely been seen outside of cramped living quarters and less than sanitary conditions in jails and homeless shelters. Not anymore. In the last five years there has been a resurgence. Bed bugs have become a particular problem in hotels, motels, and hostels where there is a high rate of occupant turnover. Even five star hotels are having problems with bed bugs.
Bedbugs are 5-7 mm in length.
- They don't fly or hop
- They scurry about and are very quick
- Their mouthparts are modified for piercing and sucking.
- It grasps human skin with its forelegs, pierces the skin, and injects anticoagulant and anesthetic containing saliva.
- Bedbugs normally feed at night, about an hour before dawn, but if the conditions are favorable, they also feed during the day
- Feeding time takes from 3-12 minutes
- Adult bedbugs can survive starvation in proper conditions for a year or more.
- Each female lays about 300 eggs in her lifetime.
- Bed bugs lay approximately five eggs per day
- The eggs hatch in 10 days
- The nymph stage lasts 6 weeks, undergoing 5 molts
- Bed bugs feed mainly on human blood
- Symptoms may not be noticeable for 2-3 days
- Symptoms could include swelling and itchiness
- Bites may appear in a line of 2-3 bites
Why Have Bed Bugs Returned?
In the past, insecticides such as DDT helped to keep the bed bug population at bay with residues that continued working after the product was sprayed. Now, with the increase in use of bait traps instead of broad spectrum sprays, specific pests such as ants and cockroaches are being targeted, and bed bugs are no longer being eliminated.In addition, people now travel more than ever before. Places that see a great deal of turnover such as hotels give bed bugs the opportunity to travel to new locations on luggage or clothing.
Bed bugs are small and can hide in a myriad of places
- under wallpaper
- behind picture frames
- suitcases
- inside box springs
- in mattress pads
- baseboards
- dressers
- headboards (especially padded ones)
- any items stored near or under the bed
- Carpeting or rugs etc.
- in electrical outlets
- mattress edge piping
- in night tables
- creases
- briefcases
- picture frames
- switch plates
- inside clocks
- phones
- televisions
- smoke detectors
If you suspect that you have a bed bug problem, you can either choose to treat them yourself (not recommended) or you can call in a professional Pest Control Operator. Most of the time, bed bug infestations will require more than one treatment as well as physical means of control. In short, you have to find them, every one of them, to kill them.
Ekko, our Parson Russell Terrier has been trained in the detection of bed bugs, carpenter ants and mould. It's what he does. He is the first and only K-9 in the Maritimes trained for this work.
For more information, call me in Moncton at (506) 866-4870 or e-mail andrew@scentdogs.ca
Our service areas include:
New Brunswick: Campbellton, Edmundston, Fredericton, Grand Falls, Miramichi, Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, Saint John, Bathurst, Shediac and Oromocto
Nova Scotia: Bridgewater, Dartmouth, Digby, Halifax, Sydney, Pictou, Sackville, Truro, Windsor, Yarmouth, Cape Breton and Amherst
Prince Edward Island: Cavendish, Charlottetown and Summerside
Newfoundland: Gander, St. John’s and Corner Brook
Quebec Eastern Townships: Sherbrooke, Lennoxville, Magog, Granby-Bromont, Brome-Missisquoi, Val Saint-François, Memphrémagog, Coaticook, Asbestos, Haut Saint-François and Mégantic
