Max, the original canine bed bug hunter, is retiring

NOW: Max, the original canine bed bug hunter, is retiring
NEXT:

It's a bittersweet time for the Wisconsin based Wil-Kil Pest Control.

Their prized beg bug hunter, Max, is retiring.

He is the company’s first bed bug canine and the first bed bug canine for hire in the state of Wisconsin.

"Max has been doing this eight years," handler Rick Schoening tells CBS 58 News. "He deserves to live a good life. Now he'll be a coach potato."

The company also announced the addition of Jack to its bed bug canine team, joining Daisy and Bull.

"There all about the hunt," Schoening says about beagles. "They have a very good scent memory. these guys are just fantastic!"

Wil-Kil’s bed bug canine program began in 2009 when Max was first introduced to the company.

After receiving his National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDECA) certification from J&K Academy in Florida, he began detecting the odor of live bed bugs and any viable bed bug eggs. For eight years, Max has helped thousands of clients during bed bug infestations and routine visits to prevent this irritating pest.

With Max hanging-up his leash to live with his handler, Rick Schoening, Jack will be taking over his bed bug responsibilities. After being found at a shelter in Illinois by Schoening, Jack went through extensive training at J&K Academy like Max, Daisy and Bull, prior to joining the bed bug team at Wil-Kil.

“Max has touched the lives of thousands of clients and Wil-Kil employees over the past eight years. He has helped clients get through the stressful experience of bed bugs, by comforting them with his cuteness, lovable personality and hard work,” said Schoening.

Bed bugs are a year-round problem with 99.6% of pest management respondents reported treating bed bugs in the past year, according to a 2015 survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association.

The pests are usually found in high-traffic areas, such as nursing homes, office buildings, hotels, schools and day care centers, and spread easily as they hitch hike on human belongings.

For more information click here

To see Max and Jack in action, tune in today on the CBS 58 News at 4.


Share this article: