South Coast Today reported on December 28, 2012 that tenants in Bedford, MA were in dispute with the city over a suspected bed bug infestation in their apartment unit.  Reports are that the husband used massive amounts of store bought pesticides to gain control over the bloodsuckers.

A free inspection by a K-9 team did not detect the presence of bed bugs in the apartment, but the handler did note the extensive pesticide smell in the apartment unit.  It is not surprising that the bed bug sniffing dog would not detect the presence of bed bugs when the apartment was fresh with the scent of pesticides.

Bed bug sniffing dogs are believed to be about 98 percent accurate at detecting bed bug infestations. Sniffer dogs are able to quickly and efficiently sniff out bed bugs due to their heightened olfactory abilities.  A home environment must however be properly prepared for the arrival of a bed bug detection dog in order for the best possible results.  It is recommended that other pets, their bedding, and food sources be removed from the area where the dog will be working.  Additionally, a dog’s scent detection will be disrupted if pesticides have recently been used within a facility.  This will often result in a dog not hitting on bed bugs that could be hiding in furniture, in walls, behind baseboards, or in bedding material.

Reports are that as a result of the all clear from the pooch, the tenant paid the landlord the rent money that he was withholding because of the bed bug infestation.  My guess is that it is only a matter of time before the bed bugs return and the bite fest begins once again.

Only a licensed pest control professional is able to correctly eliminate bed bugs permanently, and sometimes with repeated visits depending on the severity of the infestation.