Bed Bug Dog Accuracy
Studies show that bed bug dogs are about 97% to 98% accurate.
Bed bug dog certification doesn't work like getting a license where you study and practice, pass the one-time test, get your license and drive off into the sunset. Bed bug dogs require 600 - 800 hours of training to develop the ability to detect bed bugs. After they are certified, they must train regularly and are are normally re-tested quarterly and re-certified annually. All of this helps ensure that the dogs stay accurate. A dog's handler must also train with the dog so that she can correctly tell when the dog is indicating that they have found a bed bug.
False Positives
Bed bug dogs can falsely identify bed bugs (known as a false positive). Although their noses are very senstive, there are a few factors that can cause them to give an incorrect indication. That is one reason further examination is so important. But false positives are rare in a well trained dog in the hands of an experience handler. A lot of the dog's accuracy depends 1. how well trained the dog is and 2. how well the dog is handled.
Bed Bug Dog Accuracy vs. Conventional Detection
Studies show that bed bug dogs are about 97% to 98% accurate. In comparison, a trained pest control tech may only be about 30% accurate.
Bed bug detection dogs are about three times more accurate then trained technicians using conventional detection methods. This is no knock against pest control technicians. Conventional inspection and detection methods for bed bugs are simply difficult and time consuming by nature.
« Read Part 1: What is a Bed Bug Dog? | Read Part 3: Bed Bug Dogs Save Time and Money »
More information: http://www.nesdca.com/docs/Ability_of_Bed_Begs.pdf