Seoul: South Korea has introduced a bedbug sniffer dog at Incheon International Airport to mitigate the risk of these pests entering the country as athletes, officials, and fans return from the Paris Olympics.
Leading this effort is Ceco, a two-year-old beagle trained by pest control company Cesco. Ceco is reportedly the first and only canine in South Korea equipped to detect bedbug pheromones, the chemicals these insects release. According to Kim Min-su, a representative from Cesco, Ceco can inspect a standard hotel room in under two minutes.
The pest control company has partnered with South Korea’s ministries of security and transportation, the Disease Control and Prevention Agency, airlines, and Incheon Airport to screen incoming travelers.
Paris authorities last year faced a nationwide bedbug panic as the city prepared for the Olympics, prompting a major campaign to eradicate any infestations.
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“As the global community is gathering in Paris, France, on the occasion of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there’s a chance bedbugs will enter the country following the event,” a government press release stated. “Therefore, we are taking a preemptive response to intercept the entry through the Incheon International Airport, which is the main gateway to the country.”
Ceco and his team began their work on Friday, coinciding with the arrival of athletes and officials from Paris, and will continue their operations until September 8, according to the government. South Korea had 144 athletes competing in Paris, which concluded on Sunday.
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To prevent bedbug introduction, flights arriving directly from Paris are now disinfected weekly, up from the usual monthly schedule. The airport quarantine service is on standby to address any potential outbreaks detected on aircraft or within the airport.
South Korea also experienced a period of national concern in 2023 over suspected bedbug infestations in micro-apartments, motels, and traditional spas, leading to a widespread disinfection campaign.
