Can you get bed bugs thrifting?
Absolutely.
Bed bugs are challenging to find and on top of that, they are excellent at hiding.
It’s likely you won’t even know bed bugs have found their way to your thrift store item until it’s too late and you bring the item and the bugs home with you.
They are tiny about the size of an apple seed see bed bug pictures –> HERE
What makes getting bed bugs an absolute nightmare is that they can quickly spread throughout your home causing a painfully expensive situation as well as interrupting your sleep.
And to make matters worse bed bugs can live a long time without feeding for up to a year.
So, let’s make sure you know how to avoid bed bugs when thrifting.
How To Avoid Bed Bugs When Thrifting
Fortunately, avoiding bed bugs when thrifting is easy to do.
Below Are Ways To Avoid Bed Bugs When Thrifting:
#1. Inspect Thrift Items – First way to avoid bed bugs is to inspect thrift items.
This can be difficult because bed bugs can be hard to find but you can have a better chance of spotting them by making sure to check for bed bugs outside before bringing them into your home.
If you purchase furniture such as a sofa make sure to disassemble the sofa outside and check the seams of the cushions as well as the lining.
And if you purchase a used bed which I would avoid you need to thoroughly check the seams, box spring, and corners, and look for any stains which could be a positive sign of bed bugs.
If you do find bed bugs on any items from the thrift store make sure to keep the item away from your home and never take it inside your home.
#2. Get Bed Bug Flash Light – As I mentioned earlier bed bugs can be very difficult to spot that’s why investing in a flashlight can make this task easier.
You can get a low price on a bed bug flashlight on eBay.
#3. Keep Thrift Items Separate – I enjoy thrifting but I’ve had bad experiences in the past with insects or nasty hairs and such getting into my thrift items and I wouldn’t even notice it until it was too late.
Meaning it was already in my home and able to get into my home.
Now I keep thrifting items separate and away from my home.
You could keep your items in a garage or in a container with a lid so it’s more difficult for any bugs to escape and cause you problems later on.
Can Used Books Have Bed Bugs?
Another question that comes up often is if you can get bed bugs from books.
Yes, bed bugs are commonly found in books or magazines.
This is probably because bed bugs are usually in areas where people spend large portions of time.
Beds, furniture, bedrooms, and even your car can have bed bugs hiding.
Inspect any reading material go through each page and check the top and bottom of the book or magazines.
Remember bed bugs are small and it’s best to inspect your items in a well-lit area.
Learn More About Bed Bugs Here.
Tips To Prevent Bed Bugs
Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding bed bugs.
Below Are Ways To Prevent Bed Bugs:
#1. Wash/Dry Thrift Clothing – If you purchase clothing from the thrift store even if it appears totally clean make sure to drop your clothes into your washer immediately upon arriving home.
Make sure to wash and dry in high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes.
You can kill bed bugs with heat.
#2. Mattress Protector – If for some reason you do purchase a bed from a thrift store I urge you to invest in a mattress encasement because it can trap any live bed bugs that could be hiding in your mattress.
eBay has a good deal on bed bug mattress protectors –> HERE
#3. Vacuum Your Home – It’s a good idea to vacuum your home often at least twice a month.
This can help you remove live and dead bed bugs. Make sure to empty the outside trash as soon as you finish vacuuming to avoid any bugs escaping back into your home.
Look for vacuums that are made for bed bugs with a HEPA filter they range in price from $30 up to $300.
#4. Bed Bug Traps – Placing bed bug traps is another way to help you prevent bed bugs.
They are simple to use and effective too. Just place the traps on the feet of your bedroom furniture.
You can get bed bug traps for a low price on eBay –> HERE
Conclusion
Can you get bed bugs thrifting?
Yes, bed bugs can be hidden in books, magazines, furniture, and even electronics.
Really, just about anywhere.
They are small and difficult to spot so using a bed bug flashlight can assist you in making it easier to spot them.
It’s recommended to avoid bringing any furniture or thrift items into your home before making an inspection to make sure no bed bugs are hiding.
If you do find out that later you have accidentally brought bed bugs into your home it’s important to act fast and treat for bed bugs because they can spread fast.
You can learn more about getting rid of bed bugs here and if you are in need of a bed bug killer we recommend:
