Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What types of insects can trained dogs detect?

1. Only ants

2. Bed bugs and termites

3. Flies and mosquitoes

4. All pest types

The correct answer is: Bed bugs and termites

Trained dogs are highly effective in detecting specific types of insects, particularly bed bugs and termites, due to their acute sense of smell. Canines can be trained to recognize the unique scents associated with these pests, enabling them to locate infestations in various environments, such as homes, hotels, and other structures. Bed bugs and termites emit distinct pheromones and other odors that dogs can detect at much lower concentrations than humans. This capability makes dogs a valuable tool in pest management, especially for early detection and prevention of widespread infestations. While other insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, play significant roles in pest management, they are not typically the focus of canine scent detection training in the same way that bed bugs and termites are. Hence, the specialized training that dogs undergo is particularly well-suited for these two types of pests.