In Hardanger they are getting ready for a big move, but there are some guests Kinsarvik Camping does not want. – I hope they do not find anything, says daily leader and owner Evald Hatten. Now all the cabins will be inspected for bed bugs before the season starts in full. And it’s not just anyone who’s going to do the job. It is namely a dog patrol that is going on assignment. The dogs are wearing today’s uniform. A yellow reflective vest with a service dog on it. They are trained to smell only one smell: Bed bugs. Jan Helge Grimseid and the dog Cid check the beds in the cabins. Photo: Tale Hauso / NRK On a tour to clear They are on a tour of accommodation in Hardanger to secure and clear. One of them is the eager dog Chilli. A Working Springer Spaniel. He is a propeller of a dog. – Chilli has been approved for over six years and is very happy with his job, says owner Raymond Njøten, who is an operational leader in AWD Service Dog. He is a special search dog that has been trained to look for living bloodthirsty bed bugs. The goal is to find the bed bugs before they have time to multiply and become a big problem. Inside one of the cabins, walls and furniture are quickly damaged by a sniffing snout. CHILLI: Raymond Njøten, operative leader in AWD Service Dog and the dog Chilli. Photo: Tale Hauso / NRK Increasing problem Bed bugs are an increasing problem in Norway. Despite two years of pandemic, there are many bed bugs in accommodation establishments in the country. – We thought the shallow pandemic would limit itself a bit, but it has spread more internally in Norway because we traveled more in the country, says Njøten. His company has only had more to do, and more bed bugs are reported. Initially, the small, blood-sucking beetle comes from subtropical areas, but warm houses and mass tourism have led to the insect gaining a foothold in this country as well. Njøten is aware that getting bed bugs in accommodation towns today has nothing to do with reindeer herding. – It has nothing to do with bad routines, but it is simply because one is unlucky. Evald Hatten runs Kinsarvik Camping. Photo: Tale Hauso / NRK Do it for their guests In Hardanger they are now safe. Camping and accommodation towns do their part to avoid the little creeps. The dogs are therefore on a tour of the district to secure and clear. – We do it simply to have respect for our guest. So that they do not get any animals from here, says Hatten at Kinsarvik Camping. This is what the blood-sucking insect looks like. Photo: Tale Hauso / NRK The bloodthirsty bed bugs are difficult to get rid of. It can cost you dearly. In the worst case, all things must be frozen or heat treated. – Whether you sit on the train, tram or plane, there is a chance that you can get it in your suitcase. And if you live with me, then I have and got it, says Hatten. RESPECT FOR THE GUEST: Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of. The dogs are therefore on a tour in Hardanger, among others at Kinsarvik Camping. Photo: Tale Hauso / NRK Thorough review He thinks it should be mandatory to use dogs. – Everyone who runs an accommodation should have had such an agreement. If not, they can pass it on to the rest of us. And after a thorough review of all the cabins, there were finally no bed bugs to be found. – It went very well. No interest from the dogs at any of the cabins and no finds, says Njøten. – Great. Then we are ready for the new season. Fortunately without bed bugs, says a light camping owner.
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The tourism industry is precarious. Uses dogs to search for bed bugs – NRK Vestland
