A trained dog can smell live bed bugs and viable eggs through cushions, trim and narrow wall gaps. In Burbank's apartment buildings and in larger hillside homes with many rooms, a K9 team can cover a lot of ground in one visit and point to exactly where work is needed.
Good Times to Use a Dog
- A building manager needs several units cleared in a day.
- Bites continue but no bug or stain has been found.
- A big house has many bedrooms to check.
- A neighbor or roommate already has a confirmed case.
- You want a clearance check after treatment.
How a K9 Search Works
- ReadyThe dog is trained to signal only on live bugs and viable eggs.
- SweepThe handler guides it along beds, couches, trim and walls.
- AlertThe dog sits or points where the scent is strongest.
- ConfirmEvery alert is checked by eye before it is written up.
Questions for the Handler
Ask who trained and certified the dog, how often the team practices with known samples, and whether each alert is confirmed visually before it counts. Be wary of anyone who wants to treat a whole building based on one unconfirmed signal.
Search Day Prep
- Keep pets in a room the team is not searching.
- Avoid strong cooking smells, candles and air fresheners that day.
- Do not apply any pest product in the days before.
K9 Inspection FAQs
Does my cat have to leave during the search?
Only out of the rooms being searched. Shut pets in a room the team will skip, or have someone take them out for an hour. Detection dogs are trained to work around household animals.
The dog alerted on my couch. Is that enough to start treatment?
Not by itself. The handler should look closely at every alert, and our team treats only where bugs or eggs are confirmed.
When you contact us: Bed Bug Control CA is a licensed California bed bug service. We book an inspection at your Burbank home at a time that suits you. We quote in writing, then treat once you say yes.