Bed Bug-Sniffing Dog Aids in Solving Problem at Prominent Resort

TORONTO — Vaughan-based Purity Pest Control Limited was asked to bring in “Inspector Kody”, a dog specifically trained to “sniff out” bed bugs, to help with an ongoing bed bug problem at a well known central Ontario resort. “The pest control company who has the contract for the resort was having a real problem locating the source of the infestation and it was spreading to more rooms.”

Says Michael Goldman, owner of Purity Pest Control Limited. “Bed bugs are very difficult not only to find but to control and sometimes we as PMPs need specialized equipment. Our equipment happens to walks on all fours.”

The treatment being performed by the pest control company was thorough. Dusting behind wall plates, wall voids, treating behind baseboards, pictures, crack and crevice spraying with a residual insecticide where ever possible. Even going so far as to dust behind smoke detectors on the ceiling. Mattresses and drapes were wrapped and removed. The rooms were stripped down to empty furniture and bed frames but the problem persisted. The owner of the pest control company finally convinced the resort management to bring in a consultant who uses his nose to detect the bed bugs.

A progressive and proactive move on the parts of both the P.C. company and the resort.

Inspector Kody went through 100 rooms and found bed bug activity in 12 of them. Most were in the main cluster of problem rooms but he detected some in rooms unknown to management at that time. By identifying the rooms with activity, the hotel averted potential embarrassment and legal action.

So other than Kody finding the “hot spots”, how did Kody help solve the problem? In a number of rooms that Kody alerted to, his alerts were both in the bathroom and along the adjoining wall between the bathroom and the bed room. Because of Kody’s incredible sense of smell, it was determined that the bed bugs were using the pipe chases and plumbing conduits to move from room to room. Once this piece of the puzzle was determined, treatment in the bathroom wall voids was carried out and the problem controlled.

“Our inspection service isn’t for every situation. Pest management professionals can control many bed bug situations with their own training and skills but for those cases where the PMP can’t solve the problem and the client is ready to hire another company, Inspector Kody can be of help.