Bed bugs are making a comeback across the Valley area and CBS 5's Jason Barry looked at one local company's solution to battle the blood suckers.
Pest control experts told CBS 5 that bed bugs have become a big time problem in Valley homes, apartments and hotels.
However, Clay Weaver with Burns Pest Control said his company is using a black Labrador retriever named Lela, to find bed bugs that are hiding out where they don’t belong.
"Every living insect has a pheromone they give off -- a distinct smell -- and the dogs are trained to smell the distinct smell and alert to it," said Weaver.
With the help of two salt shakers full of bed bugs, Lela gave Barry a demonstration of her skill.
"Generally, she is within 6 inches of an actual insect," said Weaver.
Weaver hid the bed bugs in two spots around his apartment and Lela went to work.
Within seconds, the dog found the first batch of bed bugs, then found the rest.
"The bed bugs can hide inside furniture, where we can't see, but with the scent the dogs can smell inside furniture -- through fabric -- almost like X-ray vision," said Weaver.
Weaver said Lela is one of only a few dogs across the Valley trained for this kind of work.
There is a cost for her services, but Weaver said if you've ever had bed bugs before it is money well spent.
The CBS 5 Verminator has some tricks up his sleeves to save you money battling Valley pests. Be sure to watch his "do-it-yourself" tips next week on CBS 5 News.
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