When it comes to detecting bed bugs, nothing matches the accuracy and speed of a trained detection dog. At Sprague, bed bug detection dogs like Quilty are an essential part of our proactive approach to pest management. They help us locate infestations early, confirm that treatments have been effective, and provide peace of mind for clients in sensitive environments like apartments, hospitals, and assisted living facilities.
For more than a decade, Quality and her handler Tom, have been a team dedicated to keeping facilities pest-free. Her incredible nose can detect even the smallest traces of bed bugs, allowing our teams to take action before infestations spread. After treatments, Quilty helps double-check that the job is done, ensuring that the space is ready for safe use again.
How Bed Bug Dogs Make a Difference
Bed bug infestations can be notoriously difficult to detect early. Visual inspections can miss small or hidden populations, but dogs like Quilty can sniff out infestations long before they’re obvious to the human eye.
Using canine detection provides several benefits:
- Proactive monitoring: Regular inspections in high-risk locations can catch bed bugs early.
- Efficient and accurate detection: Dogs can inspect large spaces in a fraction of the time it takes for manual inspections.
- Post-treatment verification: Ensuring treatments were successful provides confidence and prevents re-infestations.
Fact or Fiction: All About Quilty
Over the years, Quilty’s unique job and her friendly personality have made her something of a legend at Sprague and among our clients. But with her popularity have come a few myths. Here’s the truth about this amazing dog:
Fiction: Quilty got her name because she’s a bed bug sniffing dog, and the name is a cute version of “quilt.”.
Fact: Quilty was named after NYFD Lieutenant Michael Quilty, who died in the 9/11 attack. She has three siblings, all named after fallen NYFD firefighters.
Fiction: Quilty is a service dog and cannot be pet.
Fact: Quilty loves attention! As long as she’s not actively working, people are welcome to pet her. She’s beloved in many of the facilities she services.
Fiction: Quilty is a working dog and doesn’t get to live a normal life.
Fact: Off the clock, Quilty is a regular dog. She loves playing fetch, running in her backyard, and taking Tom on long walks.
Fiction: Quilty was a drug-sniffing dog before joining Sprague.
Fact: Quilty was trained as a puppy to detect bed bugs. One of her siblings, Linq, is also a bed bug detection dog, while her other littermates work in narcotics detection.
Fiction: Quilty was trained using bed bugs grown on her mom and carries them for training.
Fact: Quilty trains with bed bugs kept in small, secure bottles. These samples are carefully maintained by Tom for ongoing training and never come in contact with her.
Fun Fact
Quilty and her siblings all perform a trick called “Chipmunk!”. What started as a balance exercise is now Quilty’s signature move for earning treats—or sometimes just extra pets.
The Value of Canine Detection
Quilty’s decade of service highlights why canine detection is such an important tool in modern pest management. By combining human expertise with the extraordinary abilities of detection dogs, Sprague helps businesses and residents stay ahead of bed bug issues and maintain safe, pest-free spaces.