Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug pest control firms (PCOs), Bed bug k9s, etc.
Another victim of K9 inspection?
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buggerthebugs
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Joined: Sep '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 17 2010 13:40:59
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Well, add me to the long list of New Yorkers who may have been taken in by a K9 inspection. 2 days ago, we had a dog come in after our 4 month old daughter was getting red welts for a week or so, and they spent all of 15 minutes looking around. The dog "hit" on 2 areas in our daughter's room and our bed in our room but we have yet to find evidence and the inspectors didn't have anything to show us. They kept saying that we were probably in the very early stages of an infestation and that these bugs are very small and are good at hiding. I understand these things, but that is precisely why I hired what I thought were professionals and specialists.
The whole things has left a bad taste in my mouth. We still don't know whether we have bedbugs, our daughter hasn't had any bites in about 4 or 5 days but I don't know if that is just because the bugs are taking a break.
My husband's workplace won't let him back to work until he has confirmation either way. So, while neither my husband nor I am getting bitten, we're still losing sleep at the thought of our baby being feasted on by these bugs. And it's a no-win situation: if we move her into our room, bugs migrate and she'll still get bitten.
I am actually sending a plea to KillerQueen to please contact me. I left a message this morning and am hoping against hope that you can help us out.
I am also making a plea to "rat out" dishonest or underperforming K9 inspections. It is unconscionable for these companies to be making money off the legitimate fear and anguish of people who think they have bedbugs. I am angry, upset, and out $350. -
oldtimer
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 17 2010 14:09:26
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Which company did you use for the inspection?
I feel strongly that the company should perform a thorough visual inspection in the identified locations... Unconfirmed K9 alerts are problematic for consumers and PCOs.
At this point you might want to consider utilizing inexpensive monitoring devices like the BB Alerts, Climb Up Interceptors or Bed Bug Beacons to see if you can capture any evidence of live activity.
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buggerthebugs
newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 17 2010 14:35:40
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We used The Bedbug Inspectors. They were nice, but I really don't feel like they were thorough or, for that matter, particularly knowledgeable. I feel that if you are advertising yourself as a bedbug inspection outfit, the handler should confirm what the dog says. I don't feel this was the case.
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oldtimer
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 17 2010 21:02:31
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Help is on the way! Hang in there.
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buggerthebugs
newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 18 2010 9:08:58
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Thanks KillerQueen! You more than live up to your reputation of compassion and professionalism. I feel odd saying this because these are unfortunate circumstances for our family but I am so looking forward to meeting you!
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your host
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 18 2010 11:22:54
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bugger,
Please see your private messages.
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oldtimer
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 18 2010 19:25:29
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Cleared!
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Ilovepink1908
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Joined: Jul '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 18 2010 22:43:59
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KillerQueen always saves the day
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BBQueen
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 18 2010 22:51:43
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I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this question, but I'm curious about one thing. It seems that the controversy over canine inspections is over false positives; what about the other side of the coin? The numbers I see are high for accuracy, and I hope that means that they are less likely to miss things, which for me is more important (only because of the specifics of *my* situation, not to say that it's not an issue)
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buggerthebugs
newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Sep 20 2010 13:18:57
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I thought I would give an update, but first I would like to thank KillerQueen for being such a great human being and consummate professional. He has not only restored my faith that there are indeed good, decent people out there, but, and this is the icing on the cake, he cleared our apartment.
So the outcome is that we have no bed bugs and never did in the first place. Everything the dog alerted to during the K9 inspection was a false positive. I did call the company to tell them that their dog was wrong and the fact that the handlers weren't willing to manually look for evidence made me uncomfortable and frankly wasn't all that reassuring to me. I mentioned that, as any smart consumer would/should do, I had to see some evidence before spending thousands of dollars on any treatment. I will give the company credit for offering to refund me the totality of the fee I paid. I accepted.
What I have taken away from this is that a dog inspection could be a good tool but it will only be effective if it is paired with a knowledgeable person who will also do a thorough manual/visual inspection to verify the dog's findings. I have also learned that if you have bedbugs, they will leave traces and if an inspector can't show you those traces, you should get a second opinion before spending a lot of money, not to mention turning your life upside down. I know I am glad I did.
Thanks again to KillerQueen for all his patience, education, and great news to boot! (The pun was sort of intended for those who know the company name.) -
your host
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Sep 20 2010 15:16:40
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buggerthebugs - 1 hour ago »
What I have taken away from this is that a dog inspection could be a good tool but it will only be effective if it is paired with a knowledgeable person who will also do a thorough manual/visual inspection to verify the dog's findings.The necessity of visual verification of dog alerts is also emphasized in our FAQ on hiring a canine scent detection team.
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DeedleBeetle
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Sep 20 2010 15:26:58
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yayyyyy KQ!!
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bugnut
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Joined: Feb '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Sep 20 2010 20:34:41
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Glad to hear it! It is a good sign that they acknowledged their shortcomings and returned your money.
I have had 4 K9s total - One was great , one was OK, one was questionable and one was awful.
A lot of money spent! I do believe they can be a great tool, but are very often in the wrong hands. I wish I knew of a team that I could depend on and I would have them inspect! But at this point, I do not feel comfortable using them.
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oldtimer
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Sep 21 2010 3:31:25
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The key to a reliable K9 team is the skill of the handler.
People tend to focus on the dog.
When there is a problem with a K9 team, the problem almost always originates with the human handler.
The issue is good handling practices vs poor handling practices... not good dog vs bad dog.
There is no excuse for failing to perform a visual search in the location of a K9 alert... We can't verify every alert due to inaccessible spaces, extremely complex environments filled with clutter or other conditions, but failing to even break out a flashlight or stating that you are unqualified to perform a manual inspection is totally unprofessional in my opinion.
I am working on developing a website that will only list qualified inspectors that agree to follow a proper verification protocol and pass a written test on bed bug identification and knowledge.
Show Me The Bed Bugs... is the standard that consumers should expect from a competent professional inspector.
Some New York pest control companies have a policy of not performing a manual inspection in the identified locations.
Do NOT hire a PCO or any company that refuses to perform a proper inspection.
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oldtimer
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Sep 22 2010 0:26:26
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BBQueen - 3 days ago »
I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this question, but I'm curious about one thing. It seems that the controversy over canine inspections is over false positives; what about the other side of the coin? The numbers I see are high for accuracy, and I hope that means that they are less likely to miss things, which for me is more important (only because of the specifics of *my* situation, not to say that it's not an issue)There is a lot of info about K9's on the site if you do a search. I don't think we need to go down that road again in this thread.
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oldtimer
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Sep 22 2010 0:30:33
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Thanks for the update and kind words buggerthebugs ! I'm glad I was able to help you and your family.
All the best, KQ
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bugnut
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Joined: Feb '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Sep 22 2010 9:51:03
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Doug -
You are so right - it was the handler not the dog! The one team that I liked the handler was very through and really seemed to know when the dog was getting distracted.
I look forward to seeing your list!
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nycyn
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 24 2010 6:13:40
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I have a friend who is spending a fortune and steaming everything she owns twice and THEN throwing it out anyway.
History, or the 'facts' laid out:
0) Gets carpets and furniture steam cleaned. Convinced she has bed bugs based on nothing as far as I can tell.
1) Visual inspection by exterminator turns up nothing but for a couple of spiders in her bedroom.
2) Thinks she got one bite on her nose, but mostly 'feels itchy.'
3) She saw a carpet beetle in the elevator.
4) Demands "The Dog." Dog was reportedly cute. Handler said dog communicates to her via eye signals. Handler could not give a verbal report directly to tenant. (You know, like x-ray techs.) Handler reports to landlord activity in couch, kitchen, and laundry pile.
5) She orders in the 60 buck per hour bug prep people and kept them busy. They tell her they saw a couple of dead BB's about. They steamed again and she made them take her 2nd time steamed carpets out, and clothes anyway.
6) Exterminator to make another visit in 3-4 days. Landlord sends in a mental health professional 'to help.'
7) Now she's "smells" them. Says they smell like dirty socks.
She has not seen a bona-fide as per expert opinion bed bug yet.I think she was duped and is psychotic but the jury is still out.
Uploading DE treated popcorn.
G'nite
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oldtimer
Joined: May '07
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 24 2010 9:23:18
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nycyn - 2 hours ago »
I have a friend who is spending a fortune and steaming everything she owns twice and THEN throwing it out anyway.
History
4) Demands "The Dog." Dog was reportedly cute. Handler said dog communicates to her via eye signals. Handler could not give a verbal report directly to tenant. (You know, like x-ray techs.) Handler reports to landlord activity in couch, kitchen, and laundry pile.
5) She orders in the 60 buck per hour bug prep people and kept them busy. They tell her they saw a couple of dead BB's about.NYCYN
Which K9 company was used?... The eye signal technique is unusual.... Could you list the name of the dog and the handler?
What happened to the dead bed bugs that were found by the prep techs?
How can you be sure that bed bugs are not present in the residence?
Bed bugs can turn someone's life upside down... It is not uncommon for people to become extremely hypervigilant as a result... Placing the psychotic label on your friend is very insensitive and unsupportive.
If dead bed bugs have since been found in the apartment... The dog inspection results may have been completely accurate and valid.
DE popcorn is delicious... very high fiber content
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nycyn
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Posts: 701offline
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Sep 24 2010 18:41:22
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DougSummersMS - 9 hours ago »
nycyn - 2 hours ago »
I have a friend who is spending a fortune and steaming everything she owns twice and THEN throwing it out anyway.
History
4) Demands "The Dog." Dog was reportedly cute. Handler said dog communicates to her via eye signals. Handler could not give a verbal report directly to tenant. (You know, like x-ray techs.) Handler reports to landlord activity in couch, kitchen, and laundry pile.
5) She orders in the 60 buck per hour bug prep people and kept them busy. They tell her they saw a couple of dead BB's about.NYCYN
Which K9 company was used?... The eye signal technique is unusual.... Could you list the name of the dog and the handler?
What happened to the dead bed bugs that were found by the prep techs?
How can you be sure that bed bugs are not present in the residence?
Bed bugs can turn someone's life upside down... It is not uncommon for people to become extremely hypervigilant as a result... Placing the psychotic label on your friend is very insensitive and unsupportive.
If dead bed bugs have since been found in the apartment... The dog inspection results may have been completely accurate and valid.
DE popcorn is delicious... very high fiber content I can't answer your questions. They are common sense questions and she can never answer them. Also, I'll still think she's psychotic even with bed bugs. So there. To date: She has not yet seen a confirmed bed bug. Well, actually I didn't talk to her today; I can't deal with a 10 minute qualified interview in hopes of an answer to a yes no question.
Will update.Glad you like the popcorn. Put some in a bag, add some parmesan cheese and shake. Yum.
If you have bb's: follow by a pint of whiskey. -
junior member
Joined: Oct '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Nov 16 2011 21:43:19
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15 minutes for an inspection is ridiculous. Our inspections take a minimum of 45 minutes and that is for a tiny unit. An actual house can take an hour and a half. $350 is also really high. The highest priced team in our area (Seattle) is $290 an HOUR...no 15 minute stuff.
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