A trained scent dog can detect live bed bugs and viable eggs through upholstery, wood trim and small cracks in walls. In Danville, where many homes have 4 or more bedrooms, a dog can check the whole house in a fraction of the time a person would need.
When a Dog Is Worth It
- Large homes in Blackhawk, Tassajara Valley or along the foothills with many rooms to clear.
- Rented houses, townhomes and small apartment buildings with several units.
- Bites with no bug or stain that anyone can find.
- Guest suites and rooms used only now and then.
- A last check after treatment before you move back in.
How the Search Works
- Warm upThe dog is trained to react only to live bugs and viable eggs.
- SweepThe handler leads it past beds, couches, baseboards and wall edges.
- AlertThe dog sits or points at the spot where the scent is strongest.
- ConfirmThe handler inspects each alert and records what is verified.
What to Ask Before Booking
Ask where the dog was trained and certified, how often the team practices with known samples, and whether the handler looks at each alert before calling it positive. Be wary of any plan to treat a full house on the strength of a single unconfirmed alert.
Getting the House Ready
- Keep family pets out of the rooms on the search list.
- Skip candles, air fresheners and strong cooking smells that day.
- Hold off on any spraying in the days before the visit.
Questions About K9 Inspections
We have a dog at home. Is that a problem?
Not usually. Keep your own pet shut away in a room that is not being searched, and the handler will keep the working dog focused on the job.
If the dog alerts once, does the whole house get treated?
It should not. The handler has to confirm every alert, and treatment should go only where bugs are really found.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Danville. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.