Concerns over a resurgence of bed bug infestations in the United Kingdom (UK) have led to hotels and homeowners seeking the assistance of specially trained sniffer dogs to detect these pests hiding in bedrooms. Although bedbug infestations declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are making a comeback as the world reopens.
This resurgence has prompted a growing demand for specialized UK firms that employ trained dogs to identify bedbug infestations, serving various locations, from private homes to upscale hotels. It has created a mini-boom for these firms.
Freedom, a beagle trained by Jeremy Ecker of The Bedbug Inspectors, demonstrates how he sniffs out bed bugs, on July 26, 2010 in the Queens borough of New York.
Rising Bed Bug Problem in the UK
In the 21st century, the battle against bloodsucking bed bugs has extended beyond hotels, reaching planes, trains, theaters, cinemas, pubs, and restaurants.
In France, concerns about bedbug infestations have recently escalated, with residents describing themselves as "plague victims." Images of streets cluttered with discarded mattresses and packed commuter trains where passengers refuse to sit on seats have surfaced.
The proximity of this issue to Britain has naturally raised concerns, given the nuisance of their itchy bites and the challenge of eliminating the pests once they've entrenched themselves.
Reports of bedbug sightings have emerged on Manchester buses and the London Underground, prompting the capital's mayor, Sadiq Khan, to express genuine concerns about the possibility of bed bugs spreading through the Tube network.
Consequently, nightly seat cleaning measures have been introduced. Luton is identified as a significant hotspot, with residents discarding beds, tearing up carpets, and even abandoning their infested homes. Eurostar has implemented preventive measures on its trains operating between London and Paris.
Notably, some hotel chains have begun asking guests at check-in whether they have recently visited France, with particular concerns surrounding rugby fans who attended the World Cup there. Experts in the UK warn that preventing a bed bug exchange with France will be nearly impossible, exacerbating an already challenging situation.
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Sniffer Dogs to the Rescue
Fortunately, there's a glimmer of hope in the battle against these bloodsucking bed bugs, thanks to a group of pet detectives determined to mitigate the insect invasion. These canine detectives possess an extraordinary sense of smell, up to 100,000 times more powerful than a human's, and are expertly trained to detect and eradicate infestations.
In response to a 65% surge in inquiries about bedbug problems compared to the previous year, Rentokil has introduced its Bed Bug Dog Detect service. This service leverages the exceptional olfactory abilities of their "highly trained canine partners" to offer efficient monitoring for businesses at risk of bedbug infestations.
Using a backpack vacuum, skilled technicians collect air samples from rooms suspected of harboring bed bugs. These air samples are then presented to the dogs, allowing them to detect any bedbug activity within the room based on the scent of live bedbugs.
The remarkable capacity of these bedbug detection dogs to identify early infestations ensures timely intervention before a situation escalates. Importantly, this process minimizes disruption to the businesses being examined since technicians do not need to enter a room fully to collect a sample, which can be done from the door.
Similar to the dogs employed in airport security, law enforcement, and military units to sniff out drugs, money, and explosives, bedbug detection dogs undergo rigorous training, exposing them to the unique pheromones emitted by live bedbugs.
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