canine scent detection for bed bugs
DESCRIPTION
Learn how using canines to "Sniff Out" Bed Bugs works. This presentation includes the basics on: Intro to Canine Scent Detection The Science Quality Assurance What Affects Accuracy? Realistic ExpectationsTRANSCRIPT
Canine Scent DetectionKelly Robbins: Four Paws K-9 Detection, LLCLee Johnson: Bed Bug Inspector, LLC
Agenda•Intro to Canine Scent Detection •The Science•Quality Assurance•What Affects Accuracy?•Realistic Expectations
Intro to Canine Scent Detection
Canine Scent Detection• Well-known canine careers
▫ Narcotics Detection▫ Bomb Detection▫ Tracking Lost Persons
• Training methodology applied to new fields▫ Insect (Bed Bug) Scent Detection▫ Mold Detection▫ Tumor Detection
• Utilizing dogs in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) makes a difference!▫ NYC went from #1 to #9 on Orkin’s list of Most Infested Cities in
2012
Who Uses Our Services?• Commercial Clients
▫ Landlords▫ Hotels▫ Call Centers / Offices ▫ Healthcare Facilities
• Residential Clients▫ After travel / houseguests▫ When bites appear▫ Frequent use of public
transportation
The Science
It's All About The Nose!• The Nose
▫ Beagle: 225 million scent receptors▫ Human: 5 million scent receptors
• The Brain▫ A dog’s brain devoted to analyzing
smells is 40% LARGER than a human's
▫ Dog: 8"x11" Paper▫ Human: Postage Stamp
Quality Assurance
Training
• Dogs Are Highly Trained & Well Maintained• Team (Handler + Dog)• Use live bed bugs in training daily• Keeps daily logs: training &
deployment• Communicates with trainer• Attends Advanced Training
Seminars
Evaluations
• Annually evaluated by NESDCA• Team (handler + dog)• Third Party Evaluators
• NESDCA’s certification is an evaluation method modeled after law enforcement
• Evaluation should include live bed bugs & dead bed bugs
What Affects Accuracy?
Accuracy of Inspection Depends On:
• How the team trains • Blind hides vs. Known hides
• Air Flow • HVAC, Fans, Computers, Exhaust Fans
• Protocols in place to protect the integrity of the search• Pesticides (30 days after application) & Cleaning Products • Heavy Infestations
• Overwhelming odor = canine may not alert• Odor must be present for the canine to alert• Where was the canine trained?
• Does the trainer have scientifically proven training techniques to back up claims of accuracy?
• 98% rate is based on Univ. of FL study using canines from J & K canine Academy in High Springs, FL trained by Pepe Peruyero & Bun Montgomery & published in Entomological Society of America 2008
Realistic Expectations
Expectations
• Be realistic• Teams are not 100% accurate
• Communication is critical for success• Documentation of areas inspected & not inspected should
be included in the inspection report• Teams train with low quantities of bed bugs (1-15)
• Goal is to identify low infestations• Canine is alerting on the odor presence of live bed
bugs &/or viable eggs• Keep in mind - air flow can move the odor• Checklist adherence is vital for success!
Dogs at Work!
Questions?Thank you!