Avoiding bed bugs before and after thrift store purchases

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Picking up second-hand goods, clothing and furniture at thrift stores and vintage shops can be fun, not to mention saving some wear and tear on the family budget. To lower the risk of exposure to bed bugs, though, consumers should take precautions before and after purchasing and bringing home their new-to-them finds.

“Prevention is the best kind of pest control,” said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist. “You shouldn’t assume thrift and vintage stores clean and inspect for bed bugs. Always check second-hand items closely before bringing them home.”

Before making any purchases, shoppers should search for evidence of bed bugs.

Check the pockets and along the seams, as well as turn garments inside out, if possible. Shake sheets and towels to ensure no pests are hiding.

“Remove and carefully inspect all the cushions, including along the decorative edges and seams, of beds, sofas, chairs and similar types of furniture,” Peek said. “Examine the frame, look inside and push down on the springs, then turn the item over to check underneath for signs of bed bugs or droppings.”

Use a flashlight to study the surfaces of headboards, frames – including metal ones – night stands, dressers and other bedroom furniture.

“Open drawers, turn night stands and dressers over to look underneath and wipe surfaces with a towel to reveal signs of previous activity,” Peek said.

At home, immediately wash second-hand textiles and clothing using detergent and the normal settings on the washing machine. Then dry items in the dryer, again using the regular settings. Heat kills bed bugs and one cycle in the dryer should eliminate adults and eggs. If an item cannot be washed, run it through a cycle in the dryer.

Before bringing sofas and chairs inside, vacuum them, if possible, and as an added precaution, use a steamer over the entire piece of furniture. Then empty the vacuum in the outside trash. If possible, quarantine the items for a few days by leaving them in the garage or another storage area, then recheck.

During warmer months, cover the cleaned furniture with clear plastic and set it in the sun.

Headboards, frames, night stands and dressers should at least be vacuumed before being brought indoors, but also can be washed with a scrub brush and soapy water, then allowed to dry before being moved.

Finally, state law requires second-hand mattresses to be identified with special labeling indicating they have been cleaned, with stains and odors removed, and undergone germicidal treatment. For additional protection, shoppers can buy a bed-bug rated encasement for the mattress and box springs to contain any pests so they do not infest the home.

“Prevention is an easier, less expensive option compared to treating your home for a bed bug infestation,” Peek said. “Over-the-counter pesticides and do-it-yourself options are ineffective and aren’t recommended.”

For more information on bed bugs and preventative measures, visit facts.okstate.edu and contact the nearest county Extension office.

Story by Leilana McKindra