Do you have or think you have bed bugs in your home? If so, you are probably wondering how to get rid of them. Bed bugs have once again become a serious problem, not only in the US, but around the world. There are a number of theories as to why this is happening, but the end result has been the spread of an annoying and potentially hazardous pest.

The first step to getting rid of this household pest is to find it. They are incredibly hard to see since they are nocturnal and so adept at hiding. The bed bug's flat body is perfectly adapted to sliding behind baseboards and into mattress crevices beyond the sight of the human eye. Often, the only evidence of a bed bug infestation is an itchy rash and a few brownish red specks on the victim's mattress or sheet.

Detection of bed bugs might be difficult for humans but it is not impossible. There are small visual clues that can indicate the presence of bed bugs. However, there are others who have a better sense of these things than we humans do. One of the newest techniques in detecting bed bugs is to employ a trusted friend - man's best friend -- to literally sniff them out.

Specially-trained detection dogs are now being used to inspect for infestations of numerous pests including termites and bed bugs. Ross Environmental Solutions is one New Jersey pest control company willing and able to use bed bug detecting dogs as method to find bed bug infestations.

The canine nose is far superior to its human counterpart. They have been used to search out felons, drugs and bombs. There are even studies being performed to see if dogs can smell cancer cells so it only makes sense to use their heightened senses in pest control as well. Dogs are particularly effective in inspecting large scale properties like hotels, apartments, dormitories, office buildings, movie theaters and schools where humans can tire or miss the small signs.

When choosing an exterminator in NJ that employs scent dogs, there are a few things that you should consider. Dogs, like people, are not perfect. They should be well-trained and used in conjunction with equally trained and talented people. Here are a few questions to ask your exterminator.

- How long has the dog and handler team worked together?
- What is their success rate?
- How often does the dog report a false-positive?
- Has the dog/handler team ever missed an infestation?
- Can they detect eggs as well as live bugs?
- Can the dog differentiate between a live infestation and the presence of dead bugs like carapaces and non-viable eggs?
- How will the dog's positive detection signal be verified and confirmed?

The more tools you can employ to find this elusive insect, the better your chances are at finding it. Adding scent detection gives you another effective weapon to keep your home safe from insect invaders. When you can find the infestation, you can treat it. Consider seeking out a New Jersey pest control company that offers this inventive and effective tool as part of its services.