Could not resist sharing this:
Journal of Economic Entomology 101(4):1389-1396. 2008 > <http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/0022-0493%282008%29101%5B1384%3ATOFAST%5D2.0.CO%3B2> > > *Ability of Bed Bug-Detecting Canines to Locate Live Bed Bugs and Viable > Bed Bug Eggs* > > Margie > Pfiester1<http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/0022-0493%282008%29101%5B1389%3AAOBBCT%5D2.0.CO%3B2?journalCode=ecen#FN1>, > Philip G. Koehler, Roberto M. Pereira > > Department of Entomology, Building 970 Natural Area Drive, University of > Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611–0620 > > 1Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected]. > Abstract > > The bed bug, *Cimex lectularius* L., like other bed bug species, is > difficult to visually locate because it is cryptic. Detector dogs are useful > for locating bed bugs because they use olfaction rather than vision. Dogs > were trained to detect the bed bug (as few as one adult male or female) and > viable bed bug eggs (five, collected 5–6 d after feeding) by using a > modified food and verbal reward system. Their efficacy was tested with bed > bugs and viable bed bug eggs placed in vented polyvinyl chloride containers. > Dogs were able to discriminate bed bugs from *Camponotus floridanus*Buckley, > *Blattella germanica* (L.), and *Reticulitermes flavipes* (Kollar), with a > 97.5% positive indication rate (correct indication of bed bugs when present) > and 0% false positives (incorrect indication of bed bugs when not present). > Dogs also were able to discriminate live bed bugs and viable bed bug eggs > from dead bed bugs, cast skins, and feces, with a 95% positive indication > rate and a 3% false positive rate on bed bug feces. In a controlled > experiment in hotel rooms, dogs were 98% accurate in locating live bed bugs. > A pseudoscent prepared from pentane extraction of bed bugs was recognized by > trained dogs as bed bug scent (100% indication). The pseudoscent could be > used to facilitate detector dog training and quality assurance programs. If > trained properly, dogs can be used effectively to locate live bed bugs and > viable bed bug eggs. > >
