Bed Bug Control
Colony Pest Management has dedicated a specific division to Bed Bug Treatments known as Bye Bye Bed Bugs.
Bye Bye Bed Bugs is dedicated to the proper eradication of bed bugs from all structures.
Meet Our Bed Bug Dogs!
In 2008 we saw the need for a quicker and more accurate way to inspect for Bed Bugs. With this in mind we started Colony’s K9 Division, Synergy Scents.
Our first Bed Bug Scent Detection Canine, Cosmo began in 2008Our first Bed Bug Scent Detection Canine, Cosmo began in 2008. He retired in 2015 and is now a movie star! He has the lead role in A.R.C.H.I.E. and a few other commercials and movies. Cosmo made his bones during the 2010-2011 media Bed Bug hysteria in new York City. Cosmo certainly had his work cut out for him and did an amazing job in the fight against Bed Bugs! We miss Cosmo but know he is enjoying retirement and his second career as an Actor.
In 2011 Heff joined the Team to help Cosmo out. Heff too learned the ropes during the tail end of 2011. The media coverage in NYC was still ongoing and made for a lot of work for both Cosmo and Heff. Heff retired in December 2018.
In 2015, in preparation for Cosmo’s retirement, Dora joined the Team. Dora has since become a valued member Colony K9 and enjoys her day to day job finding Bed Bugs. Dora has a ton of energy and that’s what we like in our Canines. In January of 2019 Dora officially moved down south to start Synergy Scents South in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area (DMV). In 2022 Dora officially retired from Synergy Scents.
Before Dora’s move to the DMV area we began looking for a few good dogs. We found some!!
In September 2018 Synergy joined the team. Synergy is full of energy and loves searching for Bed Bugs. In March of 2019 Snoop came on board. Snoop is a great addition to the team and loves finding Bed Bugs.
All Canines have received 1,000s of hours of training by Certified Master Trainers, in Scent Detection, throughout the US before joining the Synergy Team. All K9s are carefully paired with their Handlers. All K9 Teams MUST get and maintain 3rd party Certification by the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDCA).
Even when our Teams are not working we must keep them sharp. This sharpness is maintained by using “Blind Bed Bug Hides.” One Team members hides vials of bed bugs and the other Team seeks them out.
Bed Bug Facts
Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is the species most adapted to living with humans. To date, bed bugs have not been found to transmit any diseases to humans.
Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. The immatures (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and somewhat lighter in color.
Newly hatched nymphs are no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable conditions (70 – 90° F), the bugs can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more generations per year.
Bed bugs do not have nests, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining (shown in image below), which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, molted skins of maturing nymphs, and the bugs themselves.
How Bed Bugs Arise
The bugs are usually transported in or on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture, etc. Outbreaks can often be traced to international travel from countries where the bugs are common, such as Asia , Africa , Europe , the Caribbean , or Central/South America. This is a particular problem for hotels, motels, and apartments, where turnover of occupants is constant..
Bed bugs are small and agile, escaping detection after crawling into suitcases, boxes, and belongings. Purchase or rental of secondhand mattresses, box springs, and furniture is another way that the bugs are transported into previously non-infested dwellings.
Once bed bugs are introduced they often spread room to room throughout a building. Cleanliness has little or nothing to do with bed bug infestations. The best way to solve a bed bug issue is to consult a Pest Management Professional with the proper knowledge.
How Can We Help?
Colony Pest Management, Inc.
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9301 Avenue L, Brooklyn, NY 11236
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(718) 859-4449
