Dogs have been trained throughout history to perform a myriad of services to assist humans in the completion of essential tasks. From hunting, to protecting our homes, to search and rescue missions in the rubble of the Twin Towers, dogs are extremely reliable animals with countless uses. One of the most common uses for a working dog is scent detection. Canine scent detection is used by military and law enforcement for detection of bombs, arson investigations, and drug searches.

Oddly enough, scent detection is also used in the pest control industry. The most common uses in the pest control industry are for the detection of termites and bed bugs. This article will explore the emergence of canine scent detection in bed bug remediation, an overview of the science and application, challenges for canine inspection teams, and the opportunity for people choosing to add this service.