A trained detection dog picks up the scent of live bed bugs and viable eggs through fabric, behind molding and inside narrow cracks. In Berkeley that helps a lot when a shared house has 6 bedrooms to clear, or when a building manager on the Northside wants nearby units screened the same afternoon.
When a K9 Search Is Worth It
- Bites keep coming but no bug, shell or spot has been found.
- A manager wants the units next to a reported case checked in one visit.
- Several roommates sleep in separate rooms of one house.
- A hill home has bedrooms on 2 or 3 levels.
- You want a final check after treatment.
The Search Step by Step
- ArrivalOur handler brings a dog trained to react only to live bugs and viable eggs.
- Room sweepThe dog works along beds, seating, trim and wall lines one room at a time.
- AlertA trained sit or nose point marks the strongest scent.
- ProofThe handler inspects each alert and records only confirmed finds.
K9 Searches in Berkeley Housing
In 94704 and 94709, where postwar walk-up apartments and large shared houses sit close to campus, units share stairwells, laundry rooms and wall cavities. A dog lets the owner learn which neighbors of a reported unit are clean and which need work. In a big brown shingle house rented by the room, one search can cover every bedroom, the common room and the study nooks people sometimes sleep in.
Getting Ready for the Dog
- Keep pets in a room the dog will search last.
- Avoid incense, scented candles and strong cleaning smells that day.
- Hold off on any spray for several days beforehand.
K9 Inspection Questions
My housemate is allergic to dogs. Can we still book a K9 search?
Usually, yes. The dog only visits the rooms being checked and leaves when the search ends. Let us know about the allergy so we can plan the order of rooms and keep the visit short.
The dog sat by my desk chair. Will you treat the whole house now?
No. Our handler checks every alert for live bugs, eggs or other proof, and treatment is planned only where that proof is found.
When you contact us: Bed Bug Control CA runs its own bed bug inspections and treatments. A licensed technician comes out to your Berkeley address to look for signs. Treatment starts only after you approve the written quote.