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WDDO Certified

A Family-Owned K9 Detection Team

Local to East Tennessee, certified to the highest standard, and detection only by design.

We are a family business built around our dogs and our community. We do one thing, find bed bugs by scent, and we do not sell treatment, so our findings have no strings attached. Here is who you are calling.

Meet the Team

A family-owned team with a passion for what we do

Tim and Amanda Harrell, owners of K9 Bed Bug Detection of East Tennessee

Tim & Amanda Harrell

We're a local East Tennessee family who knows this area inside and out. Tim grew up here in Sevier County, and Amanda has called East Tennessee home for over 20 years. Between us, we bring 18 years of nursing experience and 15 years in the wireless industry, careers that taught us attention to detail, problem-solving, and how to serve people well.

In 2021 we started Harrell Cleaning, working side by side with our homeschooled kids. That's when we saw firsthand how devastating bed bugs can be for property owners, especially in the short-term rental industry. Combining our passion for dogs with a real need in our community, we trained and certified our K9 team to give property owners something they can count on: fast, accurate, honest detection.

Our Detection K9s

Bonnie, Blue Merle Australian Shepherd detection dog

Bonnie

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd (Standard) | WDDO Certified

Our gentle giant, Bonnie comes from a show dog line and has the personality to match. She's quirky, charming, and always looks like she's smiling. On the job, her calm temperament and focus make her a standout. She walks beautifully on-leash and stays locked in during inspections. Off-duty, she's obsessed with fetching balls and has a sweet habit of bringing you a "gift" every time you call her over.

Gadget, Red Tri Australian Shepherd detection dog

Gadget

Red Tri Australian Shepherd (Toy) | WDDO Certified

The eldest and smallest of our trio, Gadget is as sweet as they come. He never meets a stranger and greets everyone like a long-lost friend. He knows more commands than any dog on the team, including "speak," which we actually had to teach him since he never barks on his own. Off-duty, you'll find him carrying around his beloved toy "Lamby."

Penny Ann, Red Merle Australian Shepherd detection dog

Penny Ann

Red Merle Australian Shepherd (Mini) | WDDO Certified

Penny Ann comes from a working line of herding dogs, and she absolutely loves her job. She's independent, focused, and has a serious side that makes her a natural in the field. Off the clock, she's curious and mischievous, always exploring something new. She's gentle and never aggressive, but she's not shy about voicing her opinion with the occasional grunt or groan. She can even twirl on her hind legs like a little ballerina.

Turo, Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy in training

Turo

Miniature Australian Shepherd | In Training

The newest member of our team, Turo is named after the legendary Ace Ventura, and he's already living up to it. At just a few months old, he's bright-eyed, curious, and picks things up fast. He's sweet-natured and loving with everyone he meets, whether it's other dogs or people of all ages. He's also got a mischievous streak and an independent mind, which are exactly the traits that make great detection dogs. Turo will begin his scent training at six months old, and we can't wait to see what he becomes.

Why Herding Dogs Make the Best Detectors

Our Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are born to work. These breeds have an unmatched drive to stay focused on the task at hand, which means more accurate inspections for your property. When they're on the job, nothing distracts them from finding what they're trained to find.

We use a range of sizes across our team so we can inspect any space you need covered. Our smaller dogs can get into tight spots under furniture and low clearances, while our full-sized Aussies and Border Collies have the stamina and agility to cover large properties and reach elevated areas. Whatever your property looks like, we have the right dog for the job.

Certified, and Detection Only

Every working dog on our team is certified by the World Detector Dog Organization (WDDO), which requires handler and dog teams to pass double-blind testing where neither the handler nor the evaluator knows where the samples are hidden. That is the standard that separates real detection from guesswork, and you can verify our certification directly with WDDO.

We are detection only, on purpose. A company that both finds and treats bed bugs has a reason to find a problem. We do not sell treatment, so when we tell you a property is clear, or that it is not, you are getting an honest answer with nothing to sell on the back of it. If we do find something, we hand you a clear report and can point you to trusted treatment professionals.

We serve all of East Tennessee, from the Smoky Mountain cabins of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to Sevierville and the homes and apartments of Knoxville.

Put Our Team to Work

Book a K9 inspection, or call and we'll talk through your property.

Schedule an Inspection

Serving all of East Tennessee. Call Tim at 865-680-6977.