Discontinue the use of household cleaners or disinfectants one day prior to our arrival. It is not necessary to clean your home before the inspection. Doing so can disrupt the scent of the bed bugs, which can compromise the effectiveness of the inspection.
Remove any objects that may injure the canine during the inspection, such as broken glass, syringes, and medication. Vacuum all floors.
Remove any valuable or breakable items that could be damaged during the inspection.
Remove all rodent baits, glue boards and snap traps.
Refrain from moving or disposing of any household items such as clothing and furniture. Doing so may spread the problem to other areas, making the situation worse.
Leave all linens and bedding in place. Our handler will move these items as needed during the inspection.
Remove all pets from the search area prior to the inspection. If removal from the premises (ideal) is not possible, they may be secured in another room, that will not be searched, with the door closed. Excessive barking can be a distraction, resulting in the halting of the inspection.
Relocate all pet food, toys, water bowls and litter boxes so they are not accessible to the canine. Removal of tennis balls is critical, as this object is the reward toy for the canine upon finding bed bugs.
Turn off all fans at least one hour prior to the inspection. Fan types include: oscillating, box, exhaust, and ceiling. Air conditioners and furnaces may be left on. All windows should remain closed.
Extinguish all smoking materials at least two hours prior to the inspection.
Discontinue use of all air freshener products one day prior to the inspection. These items include: plug-ins, candles, incense, carpet deodorizers, etc.
Declutter the inspection area as best as possible for optimal results. Area should be accessible for the inspection team. If possible, move furniture, (especially beds) away from walls to allow for the canine to search around the entire item. The handler will not move any items and will search the premises “as is.” If the premises is excessively cluttered with garbage, debris, feces, dirt, food, etc., the search will be stopped, as these items can present a hazard to our canine and severely compromise the effectiveness of their ability to perform their job.
Refrain from asking questions during the inspection. The handler will be engaged with the canine, as they work as a team to achieve the most effective result. The resident or facility manger will be asked to remain in an area that is not being inspected in order to reduce distractions.
Refrain from attempting to pet the canine. The canine is working hard to focus on the job at hand.
