Bed Bug Exterminator - How to choose one

By Keith Coddington

Choosing a Bed Bug Exterminator in Phoenix Arizona can be a challenge considering the overwhelming number of bed bug treatment methods and businesses competing with each other.  Below you will find tips on finding the best treatment at the best price from an honest and ethical pest control company.

First of all, why should you trust our opinion?  We have over 30 bed bug exterminators that use our bed bug detection dog services.  We are very familiar with all of the treatment methods and how successful the treatments are since we routinely complete pre and post bed bug treatment inspections for these pest control companies.  We offer a non-biased third party point of view focused on consumer protection.  Additionally, we do not profit from bed bug treatment and only get paid for our inspection services whether bugs are found or not.

• Make sure the problem you have is in fact bed bugs.  If you have one of the bugs take a close-up in focus picture of it so we can identify it for FREE.  More information on this can be found in our Step by Step Guide - Dealing with Bed Bugs.

• Make sure the bed bug exterminator you are using are licensed by the Arizona Office of Pest Management.  Also check their BBB rating and other online reviews.

• If you are using a bed bug detection dog service make sure that company does not also provide treatment.  A third-party bed bug detection dog service is the best way to protect yourself from being oversold and overcharged for treatment.  Also, make sure the detection dogs are certified using the National Pest Management Association's Best Management Practives for Bed Bugs guidelines and ask for a copy of the certification.

• Ask for references from the bed bug detection dog service and the bed bug exterminator that you will have treat the problem.

• Last of all and most importantly,  Let us here at Cimex K9 help you for FREE.  We already have all the answers and research above done for you and it is from first hand experience with the bed bug exterminators here in Phoenix Arizona.  Call us and we can guide you through the process Free of charge.

The bed bug exterminators we recommend in Phoenix, AZ are being recommended because they provide the best service.  We have completed thousands of post-treatment bed bug dog inspections in Arizona over the last 4 years and we can help you get your problem resolved the same day.

 For more information contact Cimex K9 at 480-437-4334

Step by Step Guide - Dealing with Bed Bugs

By Keith Coddington

bed bug treatment options

When the average person believes they may have a bed bug problem the initial response is usually that of panic.  The information below will help you get through the process.  Most importantly this guide will help you not be taken advantage of with unnecessary and ineffective bed bug treatment during this troubling time.

Step 1:  Identification of Pest :

Don't move anything out of the suspected area and determine if you in fact have a bed bug infestation. (if you already moved things don't worry we can still help)

• If you are in Phoenix, Arizona or the surrounding area and captured a bug please call us so you can email us an in focus photo of the bug so we can identify it for you Free of charge.

• If this is not possible, but you still believe you may have bed bugs first make sure you know what bed bugs look like.  Consider starting with a thorough inspection yourself or hire our bed bug detection dog teams to complete the inspection.

Step 2:  Pinpoint Infested Areas:

Find all rooms and areas that require the bed bug treatment.   At this point our advice will differ from the 30+ bed bug exterminators outside of our network because we try to save our customers money by only treating the affected rooms.  Typically we save our customers hundreds and even thousands of dollars by avoiding unnecessary bed bug treatment.

• Use our Bed Bug Detection Canine Teams to pinpoint the location of all bed bug colonies.  We have completed tens of thousands of inspections over the last 4 years.  Our bed bug detection dog teams are very efficient and extremely accurate.

Step 3:  Bed Bug Treatment:

We have a network of over 30 trusted pest control companies that can provide you with a quote the same day at our discounted rates.  We are on your side and we only work with the best of the best.  Based on our findings we can point you in the right direction of the bed bug treatment that best suits the level of the infestation and your budget.

• Thermal Bed Bug Treatment - We recommend this form of treatment in most cases.  It is extremely effective and only the affected rooms need to be treated when used in conjunction with our inspection service.  This cuts the cost of most treatments to a fraction of what it would have costs otherwise.

• Bed Bug Fumigation Treatment - Another very effective option that is excellent for entire structures that need to be treated.  It is also a great option for locations with a heavy amount of belongings inside.

• Bed Bug Chemical Only Treatment -  This is an option we rarely recommend.  It can be effective if done properly, but it takes multiple treatments and it rarely can kill the entire infestation in one day only.  There are circumstances in which there is no other option but to treat this way, but if fumigation or Thermal Treatment are available they should be highly considered.

Step 4:  Verify Bed Bug Treatment was Effective:

Our post-treatment inspectionsare included in the price of many of the protocols of the pest control providers in our network.  Even if it is not included you can still hire us to check their work to make sure all bed bugs have been eliminated.

bed bug detection dogs are an important part of the bed bug treatment protocol

• These inspections include a very thorough visual inspection of the area and the use of a special post-treatment bed bug detection dog.  This dog is trained only to detect live bed bugs and ignore all other evidence that is left behind even after a treatment.

• Complete this inspection prior to the guarantee expiring for your protection.

• In the rare event we do find live bed bugs after the bed bug treatment and you used one of the preferred pest control companies in our network we will complete an additional post-treatment inspection FREE of charge.   We will continue this process until the bed bug problem is solved.

Additional Consumer Resources:

University of Arizona - Working the Bugs Out

City of Phoenix - Bed Bugs:  A Manageable Challenge

Environmental Protection Agency - Bed Bugs

Cimex K9 backs up our inspection service with a 30 day guarantee.  For additional information about how our service works or to contact us please call Cimex K9 at 480.437.4334

Not all bed bug heat treatments are what they seem

By Keith Coddington

At Cimex K9 our goal is to leave our customers as educated as possible so they can make the best decision with their bed bug dilemma and choose the best bed bug treatment available.  That being said there are a some companies in Arizona that are advertising bed bug heat treatments and thermal treatments while technically this may be true it is a vastly different process than what other companies offer.

If you are going to hire a company to complete a bed bug thermal treatment there are a few things you should be aware of.

First of all,  what exactly do they mean by “heat” or “thermal” treatment?  Many companies are using spot treatment with steam or heat guns and consider this a thermal/heat treatment.  In our opinion this is not a true thermal/heat treatment.

A true thermal or heat treatment consists of heating the entire affected area with heaters that are designed to bring the temperature in the entire area to a level that will kill bed bugs.  The heat is administered long enough so it soaks the furniture, walls and other items in the room to a level that bed bugs can’t survive.  The process takes several hours of constant heat at a minimum and the room temperature will reach at least 130 degrees for several hours which kills bed bugs within approximately 10 minutes.

The reason bed bugs are so difficult to kill is that they are cryptic and hide so well.  It makes no sense to try and hunt out every single bed bug and egg with steam or a heat gun and it will obviously not be nearly as effective as simply heating everything in the room all at once.  In our opinion a steam or heat gun process would need to be followed up by a traditional chemical pesticide treatment in order to be effective.  In our opinion “heat” and “thermal” is simply being used as a marketing ploy in those cases in order to get your business, but when you compare apples to apples the type of treatment is nowhere near similar.

Chemical only treatments have some limitations however can be very effective if done properly, but not as effective as properly administered heat treatments.  It can be very difficult to kill every bed bug and live egg on the first day of treatment with only chemicals.

There are several companies in Arizona that offer true heat or thermal treatments for bed bugs.  Several of them have enough confidence in their treatment to have a third-party bed bug detection dog service such as our company inspect the treated area afterwards to make sure that everyone knows the bed bug issue is resolved.

Should you like more information about our services or the companies we work with please call Cimex K9 at 888-928-4364

10 Reasons to use a bedbug dog

By Keith Coddington

Cimex K9, has been offering bedbug dog services since 2009.  This article will detail the benefits of being an informed and educated customer to make sure you contract only the necessary services at the best price.

1.  Accuracy:  A dog's nose is tens of thousands of times more sensitive than yours. Hands down our bed bug dog service is the most thorough and accurate way of detecting Bed Bug infestations. This is the main reason why over 30 pest control companies hire us to complete their inspections.

2. Unbiased:  We do not provide bed bug treatments ourselves so it doesn't

not matter to us whether we find bed bugs or not.  We only get paid for our inspection services.

3. Knowledgeable:  We are experts in bedbugs and their behavior.  We also are familiar with all the different types of treatments available.

4. Save Money:  After our inspection treatment costs can be drastically reduced by hundreds and even thousands of dollars by pin-pointing the affected areas rather than treating the entire structure when it is unnecessary.

5. Verify a treatment was effective:  Whether the pest control company you hired for treatment has worked with us in the past or not it is a good idea to have us check their work post-treatment.  If the treatment included a guarantee be sure to have us inspect before the guarantee is over.

6. Our reputation:  We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and excellent online reviews.  We offer a guarantee to back up or work.  We are also one of the few detection services nationwide owned and operated by a detection dog trainer.

7.  Efficiency:  Our service is not only the most accurate, but it is much quicker than visual only inspections.  Using our canines for large-scale inspections is by far the most efficient and cost-effective approach.

8.  Response time:  For our customers within approximately 1 hour from Phoenix Arizona we rarely take more than 24 hours to show up on site and usually respond the same day you call.

9. Proof of findings:  For many situations it is important for our customer to have proof that there is or is not a bedbug infestation at the locations we inspect.  All customers receive a detailed report stating what was found and exactly where it was found.

10. Hire a Veteran and a Rescue Dog:  Cimex K9 is Veteran owned and we go out of our way to hire veteran’s as employees.  More than likely the handler completing the inspection has proudly served our country in the past.  Additionally all of our bedbug detection dogs were rescued from animal shelters and love to perform their “jobs”.

For more information please call Cimex K9 at 888-928-4364

So you think you have bed bugs? Now what?

By Keith Coddington

Phoenix, Arizona continues to be hit with the bed bug plague.  If you think you are one of the victims of this worldwide problem don’t panic or you could be easily taken advantage of and pay for unnecessary treatment.

Cimex K9’s program provides a third party bed bug detection dog service which results in a fair, honest opinion that almost always saves you money.  Cimex K9 has followed the following protocol for over 4 years with great success.  We have relationships with many local and national pest control companies that added our service to their bed bug programs.  Cimex K9 is the consumer’s friend and never profits from referrals or the sale of any type of bed bug treatment.

So how does our program work?  We specialize in K9 bedbug inspection which is the first step to treatment.  We utilize the most accurate form of inspection available which includes visual inspections along with the use of a specially trained  bed bug dog team that will sniff out any problem areas.

Quite often after an inspection of a suspected area there are no bed bugs present and there is no reason to incur the additional costs of treatment which can be very expensive.

If active or recent bed bug evidence is detected we will show you the proof and thoroughly inspect the surrounding areas.  Rather than treating the entire structure, you will now only have to treat the appropriate locations which will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

We do not offer treatment ourselves but can educate you on the type of treatments available and recommend one of 30+ trusted pest control providers.

The last step of the process is for us to ensure that the treatment was effective.  This inspection is usually performed by us 2-4 weeks after the treatment is complete, but before the guarantee from the treatment expires.  For this process we use a different bed bug dog that is trained to detect only live bed bugs and will ignore the dead bugs and other non-viable bed bug evidence that may be left behind post treatment.

For more information about Bed Bugs consider viewing this page from the University of California - Davis on Bed Bugs.

For more information feel free to call our experts at 888-928-4364

Bed Bug Extermination Options in Phoenix, Arizona

By Keith Coddington

There are many different techniques used to control bed bug infestations.  The good news is that in Arizona consumers have many different choices as far as bed bug treatments go.  When consumers have so many different companies competing for the same service the customer usually ends up with the best service at the best price…..  in theory anyway.  Please keep in mind that a treatment is only as good as the technician completing the treatment regardless of the method used.  Many companies choose to use a combination of the treatments below or come up with a plan based on your budget.

The following list will compare the different types of bed bug treatments available in the Phoenix Metro area.

	Pros	Cons
Thermal Treatment	Eliminates all live bed bugs and eggs in one treatment. Some thermal systems can treat the entire structure at one time. No need to replace furniture and other belongings. Can use a bed bug K9 inspection to only treat affect rooms to save on treatment costs. No chemical exposure.	No residual effect unless used with chemicals. Can be difficult to treat in highly cluttered areas.
Fumigation	Eliminates all live bed bugs and eggs in one treatment. Always treats entire structure at one time. Great for freestanding buildings / homes. Best option for highly cluttered areas. No need to replace furniture and other belongings. No chemical exposure.	No residual effect unless used with chemicals.
Chemical – Spray / Dust	Usually the most economical treatment. Can be very effective if precise and thorough. Many chemicals used have a long lasting residual effect.	Some strains of bed bugs are resistant to commonly used pesticides. Takes multiple visits. May see live bugs between treatment periods. May have to throw away some furniture and belongings. Very difficult to effectively treat in highly cluttered areas.
Cryo treatment	Can kill bed bugs and eggs instantly on direct contact.	May only be effective if every bug and egg is found and exposed directly to cryo substance. Treatment may not penetrate deep into harborages. No residual effect.
Steam	Can kill bed bugs and eggs instantly on direct contact.	May only be effective if every bug and egg is found and exposed directly to the steam. Treatment may not penetrate deep into harborages. No residual effect.
Natural (essential oils, etc)	Can be effective if treatment is very precise and thorough. No chemical exposure.  Will kill bed bugs and eggs with direct contact.	Residual qualities of treatment may not be as effective. Takes multiple visits.  May see live bugs between treatment periods. May have to throw away some furniture and belongings.  Very difficult to effectively treat in highly cluttered areas.

Nomatter what treatment option you decide to go with we recommend that you hire us for a post-treatment bed bug dog inspection priory to the treatment guarantee expiring to ensure treatment was effective.

For more information check out this great page from the University of California about Bed Bugs.

For more information or referrals please call Cimex K9, LLC at 888-928-4364

Consumer options for bed bug treatments in Phoenix, Arizona

By Keith Coddington

Cimex K9 has been working with pest control companies over the last several years and currently 30+ companies use our canine bed bug detection dog services.  Over the years we have seen it all and we have a very unique perspective regarding bed bug issues.  Read further and you will learn what types of bed bug treatments are available in the Phoenix, Arizona area and how to effectively use them.  This is first hand knowledge from a professional, not an opinion reacted without factual content.

When someone discovers a bed bug infestation or even has a hint that bed bugs may be present a sense of panic usually takes hold.  The first thing we suggest is to relax.  You are very venerable in this state of mind making you easy prey for an unethical company to take advantage of.  Many of our customers’ homes that we inspect pre-treatment do not end up having a bed bug issue and it is something else that is usually minor and nowhere near as expensive to rectify as bed bugs.

Here in Arizona we have numerous companies that provide specialized bed bug treatment options from heat treatment to fumigation to chemical only treatment.  We have found that the most economical approach is using a pre-treatment K9 bed bug inspection to identify the rooms that need to be treated and then a post K9 treatment inspection to ensure the treatment was effective.  Using this method the consumer can save hundreds if not thousands on unnecessarily treating the entire structure when a canine bed bug inspection can clear those areas at a fraction of the cost.

Here is your step by step guide:

1. Do not panic.  If you really do have bed bugs the infestation is not going to explode or get worse in a day or even a few days.  Do not move anything!

2. Have us identify the areas that need treated.  Hopefully it ends up not being bed bugs and you are only out the cost of the inspection.  We are a third party bed bug detection dog service that gets paid whether bed bugs are found or not so we would never recommend treatments without physical proof of an active infestation.  We are on your side and the fewer bugs found the better as far as we are concerned.

3. If we confirm the infestation we will help you contact some of our proffered pest control companies that not only guarantee their treatment, but have an outstanding record of honest and ethical work.  We are very picky about who we work with so you can be sure the companies that we refer are a combination of effective, honest and affordable.

4. 2-4 weeks after the treatment is complete we will conduct a post-treatment canine inspection.  If any live bed bug activity is found the pest control company that treated the area will be notified immediately and they will re-treat right away.  We will then schedule an additional post-treatment bed bug dog inspection at no additional cost to you until the treatment is effective.

For more information about Bed Bugs read this webpage from Penn State University on Bed Bugs.

Please feel free to contact us with additional questions about our services at 888-928-4364

Keith Coddington

President

Cimex K9

Phoenix, AZ Don’t fall for a scam! Use third party bed bug detection canines.

By Keith Coddington

Cimex K9 is a Phoenix, Arizona based company that specializes solely in bed bug canine inspections.  Our goal and service is not only to find bed bug infestations, but more importantly protect our customers from being charged for unnecessary treatments and also making sure treatments were successful by completing post-treatment inspections.

Detection dogs have always been our business and we employ experience handlers and trainers that are experts in their field.  We do not offer treatments and we have a good reason for that which you will learn about as you read on.

Unfortunately as with any service there are unethical practices taking place.  This specific scam that we have seen involves pest control companies that own their own bed bug detection dogs and use them improperly to sell pricey treatment services that are not needed.

Here’s how the scam takes place:

Most people are already in a panic when they think they may have bed bugs which makes them venerable and some companies cash in on it.  Once you call a company that has their own dogs (there are only a few in Arizona) they send out their K9 team.  The dogs often false alert on areas where there is actually no bed bug activity.  From this point the customer is usually an easy sale and can be talked into anything.  To top it off the K9 handlers are usually paid a commission for the sale of the treatment.  If that is not a conflict of interest then I don’t know what is!

The good news is that there are ways to protect yourself.

First of all if you are about to hire a bed bug detection dogs ask the company that has dog services if they are using a third party or if they own the dog and employ the handler directly.  Verify their Pest Control License which is required by Arizona Office of Pest Management even for inspections of Bed Bugs and also check the Better Business Bureau.

Next, if the dog does alert or the handler claims there is an active infestation have them show you the evidence of the live colony.  In any detection dog scent discipline the handler always confirms an alert with visual verification.

Be familiar with what bed bugs look like as carpet beetles and their larvae are very commonly found around beds and are sometimes passed off as bed bugs to make the sale.

Watch the inspection and be there with the inspection team in the same room during the entire process.  If the handler claims that the dog can’t work with you in the room then you need to be very skeptical as something fishy might be going on.  A properly trained detection canine can work through any distraction including food, people, other animals and just about any other distraction that you can imagine.

Last of all, If something doesn’t seem right get an opinion from different company.  If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area feel free to contact us for free to learn about your bed bug treatment options in Arizona including only the honest and ethical companies that we have had the pleasure of working with over the years.

Now just to be clear we are not accusing all companies that offer treatment and own bed bug detection dogs of this practice.  Also, there are many companies that utilize a third party bed bug detection dog service such as ours to check their own work so just be sure to ask them if they own their own dogs or hire an outside company for their bed bug detection dog work.

Good Luck and if you live in Arizona and have questions regarding bed bug detection dog services or need assistance contact us on Thumbtack.com

Keith Coddington

Cimex K9, LLC

Founder / Detection Dog Trainer & Handler

Bed Bug Exterminator – Phoenix

By Keith Coddington There are a few things consumers should take into consideration before hiring a bed bug exterminator in Phoenix, Arizona.  Due to the continued consistent rise in hysteria consumers should be on guard and do their research before being talked or scared into costly and unnecessary bed bug treatments. Below are some tips to protect your sanity and your wallet.

1. If you are absolutely sure that you are familiar with identifying bed bugs and you are positive that you have an infestation consider contacting us for FREE as we are a third party that works with over 30 pest control companies.  We can give you an honest unbiased choice of treatment options and steer you in the right direction of the honest and ethical exterminators in the area.

2. If you are not 100% sure that you have a bed bug issue then the first step is to try to find the problem yourself.  Here are some pictures of real Bed Bug infestations that we have encountered to make it easy for you to identify the problem.  If you find an issue contact us for FREE to guide you in the right direction.

3. If you have inspected yourself and can’t find anything it does not necessarily mean that you do not have a bed bug issue.  Early infestations are very difficult to detect.  This is where our service comes into play and can be worth every penny considering the psychological impact these creatures can have on the average person.  Do your research and consider hiring one of our bed bug detection dog teams.  This way we can find an infestation in the very early stages and help you get it taken care of or even better yet put the issue to rest so you can rest if we find nothing.

If you do have bed bugs you will eventually be forced to do something as bed bugs will not go away on their own and the issue will become larger and larger as the colony grows.  The more bed bugs there are the more difficult and more expensive the treatment can be.  From my experience of inspecting thousands of properties over the past few years, the worse thing you can do is go to the store and buy bed bug spray or even worse yet foggers (bombs).  I have seen the aftermath from these store bought chemicals and it rarely if ever eliminates the bed bugs.  What these chemicals do very well is kill a few bugs, stir them up and spread them all over the place.  The bugs will simply scatter to areas where the chemicals aren’t and find a new place to start feeding. I know in this economy it can be a difficult pill to swallow to hire an exterminator, especially for those do-it-yourselfers; however there are just some things that you should seriously consider leaving to the professionals and this would be on that list in my opinion. Give us a call even if you don’t need our canine services and we can at least point you in the right direction based on your situation. Good Luck and “Don’t let the bed bugs bite”,   Keith Coddington Owner / Founder / Certified Detection Dog Trainer 888-928-4364

Importance of hiring a third party Bed Bug Detection Dog Service in Phoenix, AZ

By Keith Coddington Cimex K9, LLC would like to stress the importance of hiring a third party bed bug detection dog service.  Here in Phoenix and Nationwide there are unethical scams taking place regarding the use of bed bug detection dogs to convince customers they need costly bed bug treatments when it is not necessary.

Unfortunately we have seen this ourselves in the Phoenix area more than once as we have searched locations right after a previous company insisted there was a major bed bug problem that needed to be addressed immediately.  One thing in common with every issue like this is that even though their dog is alerting in various locations they cannot provide visual proof of the infestation as the infestation simply does not exist.

For some reason I have seen consumers just assume since a bed bug detection dog is being used that it is not necessary to verify anything and just trust the pest control company that is operating them.  Please insist on evidence and protect yourself as the dog handler may be paid on commission for selling the treatment!  If that is not a conflict of interest I don’t know what is.

Also, just because your canine service is provided to you through a regular pest control company it does not necessarily mean it is not a third party.  Many pest control companies subcontract out their bed bug canine work to a third party as is the case with most of the jobs we perform.  Feel free to ask your company if they contract out their canine services as this will minimize the conflict of interest.  Also, make sure the bed bug detection dogs are certified!

If you have any other questions feel free to contact Phoenix, Arizona based  Cimex K9 at 888-928-4364

Keith Coddington

Founder, Certified Detection Dog Trainer

Phoenix Bed Bug Dog Service

By Keith Coddington Cimex K9, LLC announces the addition of two more bed bug dogs to our Phoenix, Arizona based operation plus two more bed bug dogs for our out of state operations as we continue to contract with national and regional pest control companies.

Cimex K9 also recently added a former military canine handler / trainer to our staff to assist us with our new additions in order to provide the highest quality bed bug dog detection services on the market today.

Cimex K9 certifies their teams through an independent third party called the World Detector Dog Organization.  The owner of Cimex K9 is also a Certified Detection Dog Trainer through the WDDO and is licensed by the Arizona State Office of Pest Management.

For the past two years Cimex K9’s bed bug dogs have been servicing private residences, hotels, summer-camps, local, state and federal facilities with our discrete proactive and reactive inspection services.

Cimex K9 is an accredited business through the Better Business Bureau that maintains an A rating with an unmatched regard for customer service.

For more information Contact Cimex K9 at 888-928-4364

Consumer beware: Investigate before you hire a Bedbug Dog! Phoenix, Arizona

By Keith Coddington There is no doubt that the nationwide bedbug epidemic has turned into an enormous business opportunity which looks extremely attractive in today’s economy.   The bedbug epidemic is nationwide and Phoenix, Arizona has not been spared.  Experts agree the bedbug problem will get much worse before it gets better.

There will be more and more start-up companies trying to cash in on this opportunity which is not necessarily a bad thing, however consumers need to be sure to research the company they are about to hire especially when it comes to bedbug dogs.

The problem is that there is currently no set standard, license or industry-wide recognized certification for bedbug detection dogs teams.  As of now anyone can simply claim they have a trained bedbug detection dog.   A system of consistent quality control in this highly specialized field is lacking.  The good news is that there are several different organizations already addressing this issue and a long-term industry-wide solution is on the horizon.

Cimex K9 is promoting and currently working on the implementation of a state sponsored certification process for search teams to ensure consumers are protected and receive the best quality service possible.

So you may wonder:  How do I hire a reputable detection dog company?

1.       Ask if the dogs are certified.  If so which certification agency?  Ask for proof.

2.       Is the certifying organization operated by the same person that trained and sold the dog?  If so this is a conflict of interest and you should be very skeptical of the legitimacy of this type of “certification”.  The organization must be an independent uninterested third party.

3.       Certification must be of the Team which includes the dog and handler.

4.       Is the certification in real-world conditions?  Is it a double-blind test?

5.       Who trains and maintains the detection dogs?  There is a difference between handlers and trainers.  Trainers train the dogs and the handlers from scratch.  Handlers are trained to use a dog that has already been trained, and aren’t qualified to train other handlers and dogs.  Not many areas have actual trainers on-hand  to maintain the detection dog teams, but when available this is an issue worth considering from a quality control perspective.

6.       Ask for references.  Of course any business will always give out the customer’s names that have had good experiences with them.  The best reference for a bedbug detection dog would be to ask for an apartment complex that has used their bedbug detection dogs frequently over the past year.  This can give you a much clearer picture of the company’s performance.

7.       Does the company, trainer and/or handler have any prior experience with detection dogs?

If the company you are about to hire can’t easily answer all of the questions above you may want to look elsewhere.  Until there is a set industry standard regarding bedbug detection dog certifications the questions above are the best way to ensure protection for the consumer.

-Keith Coddington

owner/trainer

Cimex K9, LLC

888-928-4364

Phoenix Bedbug Detection Dog Services

By Keith Coddington

Phoenix, AZ based Cimex K9 search teams are currently employed by various pest control companies across Arizona.  We boast the fact that we are currently the only third party certified detection dog teams maintained by a certified detection dog trainer in the state of Arizona.  It is extremely important for consumers to be aware of this fact as more and more bedbug detection dog companies start popping up that are not third party certified, experienced in the field of detection canines and have little if any quality control standards in place.

We have a genuine concern for this industry considering how specialized this field is and how there is currently a total lack of a certification requirement or required testing when it comes to bedbug detection dogs.  Anyone can currently simply state that their dog is a bedbug detection dog and there is no way for a consumer to know the difference.

Cimex K9, has chosen to certify our search teams through the World Detector Dog Organization.  The WDDO is fortunate to have Dr. Larry Meyers as our quality control advisor.  Dr. Meyers began his research on detection dogs in 1982 and continues his research at Auburn University.  Dr. Meyers and David Latimer are the WDDO’s certifying officials and developed the only double-blind certification procedure which is the most stringent and real-world certification available.

Keith Coddington

Owner / Trainer / Handler

Cimex K9, LLC

Phoenix, AZ

888-928-4364

Arizona's Proactive Commercial Bedbug Inspections

By Keith Coddington

Unfortunately for our clients the bedbug epidemic appears only to be in its infancy. And although a silver bullet will take care of your typical vampire, a bed bug treatment is a bit more complicated to destroy these little nocturnal blood-suckers which means they are here to stay at least for now.

That being said the best option available to any commercial establishment at risk of infestation is routine proactive bedbug inspections.  The obvious goal is to avoid customer exposure by finding the infestation in its early stages and eliminate the problem before complaints and even lawsuits ensue.

That may sound easy enough however the problem is that detecting bedbug infestations during the early stages can be

extremely difficult and labor intensive.  To complete an extremely thorough inspection of a typical hotel room would require pulling all of the furniture apart and visually inspecting every spot a bedbug could wedge into.  This type of routine proactive approach is impractical in most commercial settings especially with a large number of rooms to search.

This is where the use of bedbug detection dogs is by far the best option.  A properly trained and certified search team can clear a typical room in a matter of minutes and do it more accurately. (see my other articles on how to research and hire a bedbug dog).

The biggest issue clients initially have when it comes to using the dogs is that they are worried about the perception from their customers that if dogs are seen then their customers will believe there is a bedbug problem at the location.

Here in Phoenix, AZ using bedbug detection dogs is a relatively new concept and anything new is always uncomfortable at first, but many other resort hot spots across the country proudly proclaim the fact they are keeping their guests as safe as possible by being proactive.  Bedbug Detection Teams should never tell the client's customers we are searching for bedbugs unless they give prior permission, but for the customers that do figure out what is going on it is always a been a positive reaction. By being one of the properties that values their customer's safety above everything else is always a good thing.

I realize proactive bedbug inspections in Arizona is a new thing however we are slowly but surely coming to the time when it will be something that is promoted rather than kept quiet.  Until then I will work with our clients to be as discreet as needed to get the job done.

For more information about Bed Bugs be sure to check out this great page on Bed Bugs from Texas A & M University.

Keith Coddington

Owner / Trainer / Handler

Cimex K9, LLC

Phoenix, AZ

888-928-4364

K-9 Bedbug Inspection – How it works – Phoenix, AZ

By Keith Coddington A properly executed and thorough inspection is  a very crucial part of the Bed Bug Treatment process to avoid missing an infestation leaving it untreated only to create a problem in the near future.  A poor inspection puts the customer at risk and gives the pest control company a poor reputation.

The most important thing to know about a K-9 Bedbug search team is that it is in fact a team.  The dog alone and handler alone are neither as effective as when they work together.  The dog has his strong points being the sense of smell, efficiency and ability to work fast.  The handler has the eyes and brains of the operation.  It is up to the handler to interpret the dog’s body language and investigate any possible areas that bedbugs usually reside.  This is done through visual inspections, visual confirmation of every spot the dog indicates and other common areas where bedbugs usually reside.

The dog is a great tool, but not necessary in all cases.  Obviously if the infestation has progressed enough to where it is easily visible there is no need for the K-9 team.  The bed bug K-9 team is best used for very light infestations that are very difficult to visually detect, to confirm/deny reports of bedbug activity and to inspect a location post-treatment to ensure the treatment was effective.  By far the best use for a K-9 Bedbug inspection team is pro-active searching in a commercial environment where time equals money such as the hospitality industry, a hospital or call center.  The team can effectively search a hotel room in a fraction of the time it takes a technician alone, do it more accurately and more cost effectively.

The bedbug dog is only as good as the handler.  Dogs are extremely perceptive of any movements or body language the handler may show and it is very easy to teach a dog to false alert or react to certain involuntary signals.  This is nothing new and has always been the case with detection dogs, but a good handler that is backed by a good detection dog program is taught to recognize this and has the support through his trainer to correct these types of issues.  Considering all of the types of detection dogs out there bedbugs can be one of the most difficult to detect since the odor can be very minute compared to say narcotics.  This being said having a well trained and maintained K-9 Bedbug inspection team is all the more important.

One way to ensure the detection team you are about to hire is trained properly is insisting that the dog has been properly certified by a third party according to the National Pest Management Guidelines and investigate the certification.  As of now there is no performance standard regarding bedbug detection dogs and anyone can claim they have a trained detection dog.  Even claims of certified detection dogs should be investigated as some certifications are not legitimate and are a meaningless formality between the trainer that sold the dog and the person who purchased the dog.

For more information on certifications or K-9 Bedbug inspection teams contact Arizona based Cimex K9 at 888-928-4364

How Cimex K9 is raising the bar with their Bedbug K9 Detection Program...

By Keith Coddington

First of all,  we would like to make it clear that we are not trying to bad-mouth our competitors or their program.  We are simply informing our consumers that there is an enormous difference between our program and our local competitor.  We have a genuine concern regarding the future use of bedbug detection dogs as others in Arizona are using and maintaining the dogs incorrectly.  Operating an accurate and successful detection dog program takes an enormous amount of work, expertise and knowledge.

Q: Who Trained the K9s?

A: We train dogs from start to finish.

Q: Who trained the handlers?

A: We train handlers and match them with a K9 that suits them.

Q: Who certified the search teams?

A: The USA Detector Dog Association which is an independent third party certifies our Canine Teams.

Q: How are the search teams certified?

A: The Canines are certified in accordance with the National Pest Management Association's guidelines for bed bug detection dogs.

Q: How much experience in detection dog work?

A: Dog behavior and training is our specialty and always has been.  We have been in the business for many years.  Our President and founder has been handling detection dogs for years.   Before bedbug dogs he trained and operated a private narcotic detection K-9 company and still operates Natural Instincts, a dog training / behavior business and Interquest Detection Canines of Arizona, a contraband detection dog business.

Q: How are the search teams maintained?

A: Teams that we have trained and maintain are worked with on a daily basis with our detection dog trainer to insure we are setting the new standard in pest detection.  We have the skills, experience and knowledge to deal with common problems like false alerts or failure to detect odor.

Q: How does the detection dog program compare to a government agency or police department that uses detection dogs?

A: After the K9s are trained the search team handler course can take from several weeks to months before the team is certified.  Additionally our program of training, maintaining and certification goes above and beyond any typical government agency’s guidelines.

Why use a Bedbug Dog?

By Keith Coddington

Detection dogs have been working for police departments and various government agencies around the world for decades.  They have time and time again proven themselves as an effective and reliable tool for locating various items such as illegal drugs, cell phones in prisons, termites, cancer cells on humans, explosives and even bedbugs.

Research at Auburn University'sVeterinary School, shows working canines can detect a few odor molecules per billion parts of air. To illustrate this point, it would be comparable to a person being able to locate one specific grain of sand in a thirty (30) square foot section of beach.

Not only do detection dogs have the ability to perceive minute levels of a substance, they also separate discrete odors. For example, people smell pizza whereas a detection canine smells flour, tomato, onion, mushroom, peppers, cheese, and pepperoni. With this ability to distinguish individual odors, detection canines are trained to ignore extraneous smells and key on bedbugs.

Bedbugs are very elusive and it is almost always impossible for a human to find every last bug with visual inspections.  By using a bedbug detection dog the treatment is able to be applied directly to the effected areas and there is no need to treat other areas that are free from the infestation.  This can cut the costs of the treatments dramatically.

Bedbug dogs can be used extremely effectively as a preventative.  Knowing that your home, hotel, hospital or apartment is bedbug free is a very comforting thought.  Periodic inspections with a bedbug dog can locate an infestation before it quickly gets out of control and causes a major problem.

Bedbug dogs work very fast and can search a room for bedbugs in a fraction of the time it would take a technician to visually inspect the area.  These highly trained canines are very hard working and depending on the room a bedbug dog can search 100-200 rooms in one day.

Bedbug detection dogs are the most technologically advanced tool in the world used to locate as little as one bedbug.  Using these highly trained canines along with a specialized treatment is the most effective way to keep the bedbug problem under control.