Question 1

Can I pet the dog?

Accepted Answer

No. Our K-9 is a trained working detection dog and should not be petted or interacted with before, during, or after the inspection.

Interaction can distract the K-9 from its job and interfere with the dog's working routine. We ask that customers give the K-9 space and allow the handler and dog to remain focused on the inspection.

Question 2

Can I watch the K-9 inspection?

Accepted Answer

No. Customers are not permitted to follow or watch the K-9 while it is actively working.

People moving through the inspection area, following the dog, talking, or reacting to the K-9's behavior can create distractions and potentially influence the inspection process.

For the most controlled and accurate inspection possible, the K-9 and handler must be allowed to work independently without interruption.

Question 3

Why can't I watch the K-9 work?

Accepted Answer

A detection K-9 relies on concentration, scent, and a consistent working routine. Even small distractions can change how the dog searches an area.

People may also unintentionally react to certain areas, furniture, or rooms. Those reactions can create visual or behavioral cues for the dog or distract the handler during the inspection.

Allowing the K-9 and handler to work independently helps create a controlled search environment and allows the detection team to focus entirely on the inspection.

Question 4

What do I need to do to prepare for a K-9 inspection?

Accepted Answer

Proper preparation is important before a K-9 bed bug inspection.

Before your scheduled inspection, you must follow the K-9 Inspection Preparation Checklist available on our website, along with any additional preparation instructions provided by ATC. These instructions may also be provided through an emailed checklist, brochure, or other pre-inspection information sent to you.

Preparation requirements may include securing pets, removing food and other distractions, avoiding strong fragrances or cleaning products, and following specific instructions regarding pesticides or bed bug treatments.

Following the preparation checklist helps create the proper working environment for our K-9 and handler. Failure to properly prepare the inspection area may interfere with the K-9's ability to work and could require the inspection to be rescheduled.

Question 5

What does the K-9 alert to?

Accepted Answer

Our K-9 is trained to detect the specific odor associated with bed bug activity.

A trained detection dog uses its highly developed sense of smell to search areas where bed bugs may be difficult to locate through a traditional visual inspection alone.

When the K-9 recognizes the target odor, the dog performs a trained alert that the handler can identify.

Question 6

Does the K-9 alert to dead bed bugs or old exoskeletons?

Accepted Answer

Our K-9 detection program is focused on locating bed bug odor associated with potential activity.

Bed bug environments can contain live insects, eggs, shed exoskeletons, fecal material, and residual odors. Because odor conditions can vary, a K-9 alert identifies an area of interest that should be evaluated by the handler and, when appropriate, further investigated.

We do not simply treat every alert as automatic proof of a widespread infestation. The goal is to use the K-9's nose as a powerful detection tool and combine that information with professional evaluation.

Question 7

How long does a K-9 bed bug inspection take?

Accepted Answer

Inspection time depends on the size of the property, the number of rooms being inspected, the amount of furniture and contents, and the conditions inside the structure.

K-9 inspections can often search areas efficiently because the dog is searching for odor rather than relying solely on visible evidence.

Question 8

Can your K-9 inspect vehicles for bed bugs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Vehicles can be inspected for potential bed bug activity.

This can be especially useful when there is concern about bed bugs being transported between homes, workplaces, hotels, or other locations.

If an area of concern is identified, ATC can discuss targeted treatment options, including the Hex Pro Mini where appropriate.

Question 9

Hex Pro Mini or Thermification™ — which treatment do I need?

Accepted Answer

That depends on what we find.

For isolated or localized bed bug activity, the Hex Pro Mini may provide a highly targeted treatment option. The K-9 can help identify an area of concern, allowing our professionals to focus attention where activity may be present.

For larger or more widespread bed bug problems, Thermification™ may be the more appropriate solution.

The advantage of ATC's approach is that detection and treatment work together. We aren't automatically trying to use the largest treatment option possible. We want to identify the problem and recommend the appropriate solution.

Question 10

Can the K-9 find just one bed bug?

Accepted Answer

Bed bug detection dogs are trained to recognize extremely small amounts of target odor and can identify areas of concern that may be difficult to locate visually.

However, environmental conditions, air movement, competing odors, recent treatments, and the location of the insect can all affect scent detection.

The advantage of K-9 detection is the dog's ability to search for bed bug odor rather than relying solely on physically seeing the insect.

Question 11

Can the K-9 detect bed bugs hidden in walls, furniture, or baseboards?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes.

Bed bugs commonly hide in cracks, furniture, baseboards, wall voids, bed frames, and other difficult-to-access areas.

Because the K-9 is searching for odor, the dog may identify an area of concern even when the bed bugs themselves cannot be immediately seen.

Environmental conditions and airflow can affect how odor moves, which is why the experience of the K-9 handler is also an important part of the inspection.

Question 12

Is K-9 detection better than a visual inspection?

Accepted Answer

K-9 detection and visual inspection are different tools.

A visual inspection relies on physically locating bed bugs, eggs, fecal spotting, shed skins, or other evidence. This can be difficult when activity is low or bed bugs are deeply hidden.

A K-9 searches for odor.

At ATC, we believe the strongest approach is using professional K-9 detection along with the knowledge and experience of a trained bed bug professional.

The nose finds the area of concern. The professional determines the next step.

Question 13

Do you visually confirm a K-9 alert?

Accepted Answer

When conditions allow, our team may perform a targeted visual inspection of the area identified by the K-9.

However, bed bugs are extremely good at hiding, and physical confirmation may not always be immediately possible.

The K-9 alert, inspection conditions, property history, and any additional evidence are evaluated before treatment recommendations are made.

Question 14

Can pesticides interfere with a K-9 inspection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Recent pesticide applications and other chemical treatments can potentially affect inspection conditions.

Strong odors, repellents, cleaners, fragrances, and certain pest control products may influence scent movement or the dog's ability to work an area effectively.

Always tell ATC about any pesticides, sprays, foggers, cleaners, or DIY bed bug products used before your inspection.

The more information we have, the better we can evaluate the property.

Question 15

How much does a K-9 bed bug inspection cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a K-9 inspection depends on the size of the property, the number of areas being inspected, the location, and the type of inspection needed.

Residential inspections, commercial inspections, vehicle inspections, and inspections performed for other pest control professionals may be priced differently.

Contact ATC K-9 Detection for specific pricing and availability.

Question 16

Can you perform routine K-9 inspections?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Routine K-9 inspections can be an excellent option for properties where early bed bug detection is important.

This may include hotels, apartment communities, senior living facilities, healthcare environments, property management companies, transportation-related businesses, and other commercial properties.

The earlier potential activity is identified, the more targeted the response may be.

Question 17

Do you offer post-treatment verification inspections?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

K-9 detection may be used as part of a post-treatment inspection strategy to search for areas of potential remaining bed bug activity.

The timing of a post-treatment inspection is important and may depend on the treatment method used.

ATC will help determine the appropriate inspection timing based on the treatment and conditions of the property.

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