Just to clarify, it is not that we have a pet dog infested with bed bugs! Did you know that bed bugs give off a distinctive odor? The bed bugs themselves give off a distinctive odor thus allowing the dog to alert on just “live activity”. Yet another reason to dread these insidious pests. There is an upside to the odor, however. With their keen canine sense of smell, dogs can smell that odor. At Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control, we believe in utilizing all available resources and methods for thoroughly inspecting and removing bed bugs. In line with this, we are thrilled to introduce our latest addition to the team – Tracker, the bed bug inspection dog – a specially trained beagle. Tracker’s primary task is to detect the presence and specific location of bed bugs, thus helping us ensure that every nook and cranny is examined and that no bed bug is left behind.
How do we use the bed bug inspection dog?
Tracker can smell bed bugs through baseboards, outlets, and walls, some of the pests’ favorite places to hide. He is highly trained, has an excellent accuracy rate record and can even detect bed bug eggs, nymphal and adult stages, assuming the bed bug(s) or the eggs are viable. Detecting the bed bugs or eggs early is critical to preventing a major spread of the detestable pests within your home and that is where the advantage of Tracker’s nose comes in – he is even more successful than our excellent human pest control specialists and they are also excellent and successful bed bug inspectors.
Three warning signs of a bed bug infestation
How do you know you need to call Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control to check for bed bugs? There are three main signs that you may have a pest problem:
Stains and Smears
One of the telltale signs that you have a problem is the evidence these tiny bugs leave behind. They often leave behind fecal stains or a mark if they are engorged and crushed. Bed bugs feed on blood and after they feed, they almost immediately defecate, leaving a very small, circular stain. If you have noticed this kind of evidence on your sheets, pillows, mattress or pajamas, reach out to contact Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control to meet Tracker, the bed bug inspection dog.
Bites from an unknown source
Bed bug bites vary greatly from person to person, but symptoms are typical of mosquito bites and they can be very itchy. These bites can also be easily confused with other bites and anyone that says that can identify a bite is probably wrong. The bites may be red and swollen, with a dark red center. You may even have hives near the bite. And they really, really itch.
Distinct smell
As we mentioned, bed bugs can have a noticeable odor but only with heavier infestations. That is one of the main reasons the bed bug inspection dog can identify the pest infestation.
How do bed bugs get into my house?
Bed bugs are crafty creatures that can find their way into your nice, warm home and your family’s lives in many ways. Some questions to ask yourself:
- Have I traveled recently? That is the number one question to consider. Unfortunately, bed bug presence in hotel rooms has been on the rise. This problem has been an issue even in very nice hotels, both in the US and abroad. The EPA has advice on escaping a bed bug problem when traveling.
- Have I had Rent-to-own furniture delivered? Even furniture covered in plastic and delivered to your door can’t escape a possible bed bug problem. Used furniture is another likely culprit if you find bed bugs in your home.
- Have I had guests in my home? If you have had visitors, especially with luggage to unpack, they may unwittingly be a source of an infestation.
- Have I used a laundromat to wash your clothes? Other patrons or residents may unwittingly be spreading bed bugs to your clothing. By the way, using a dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs.
- Living in multi-unit housing can leave a person vulnerable because bed bugs can move between walls and they can likely be coming from a neighbors residence without you ever knowing about it.
Once you discover bed bugs in your home, you can typically trace back and identify their source. Obviously, the immediate goal is to find and eliminate them, all of them. The sooner you call Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control, the better since bed bug infestations quickly get more difficult to eliminate. Calling Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control allows us to get Tracker, our bed bug inspection dog, to your home to inspect your home for possible infestations.
At Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control, we take pride in providing our customers with results-based pest control. Our philosophy is to not just provide the service but educate you so that you can help yourself prevent future infestations. We are here to help everyone with pest management, whether it is bed bugs, fleas and ticks, cockroaches, spiders, flies, stinger insects or other unpleasant pests in your home or outside area. We specialize in more than just pest control, we can also help you with any wildlife control problems you may encounter.
Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control provides fast and courteous responses to our customers’ needs. We specialize in a wide range of pest control and wildlife control services. We serve Denver: north to Wyoming including Fort Collins, Eaton, Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Loveland, LaSalle, Johnstown, Milliken, Berthoud, Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Superior, Lafayette, Thornton, Lakewood, Golden, Westminster, Denver, Aurora, and surrounding cities. Contact us today for the peace of mind we can bring.
