New Regulations Require Pest Detection Dogs, Handlers to be Trained & Certified

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Jan. 25, 2013) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has proposed new regulations that require pest control companies using dogs to detect the presence of pests, including bed bugs, to be appropriately trained and certified. Public comments on the proposed regulations, which were printed in today’s Maryland Register, are being accepted through Feb. 25.

Currently, anyone applying pesticides commercially must be licensed with MDA, however, there are no requirements for those using dogs to detect pests and no guarantee that the dog has ever been trained. The new regulations do not allow pest control businesses to use dogs to detect pests unless both the dog and the dog’s handler are trained, certified and work together as a team. The regulations do not allow individual handlers or individual dogs to be certified. Each team must be re-certified every year.

“Dogs can be trained to sniff out many different types of contraband, and we even use one at MDA who is trained to detect diseases in honeybee colonies, but there are no current standards or tests required of pest control companies that use dogs to detect pests and bugs,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “These regulations will help protect consumers and help ensure that they are hiring trained professionals, whether human or canine.”

The new regulations stipulate the type of training and testing that must be completed satisfactorily and the types of records a pest control company must keep to remain in compliance. The regulations also require individuals conducting the testing to have at least five years experience in dog scent handling, training and evaluation.

A complete copy of regulations can be read on the Maryland Register. Or on MDA’s website. Comments may be sent to Dennis Howard, Program Manager, MDA Pesticide Regulation Section, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or call 410-841-5710, or email to Dennis.Howard@maryland.gov, or fax to 410-841-2765. Comments will be accepted through Feb. 25

MDA reminds consumers that all commercial pest control applicators must be registered and licensed with MDA to help ensure pesticides are applied safely and competently. Before hiring a pest control applicator (with or without a dog), check MDA’s online database to ensure they are licensed.