It’s not uncommon for people to find themselves in a position where they need to furnish their homes on a tight budget. Purchasing furniture from charity stores can be an inexpensive way of furnishing your space.
But what about bed bugs? Do you have to worry about these pesky pests when buying used furniture? Read this blog post from the bed bug specialists at Zip Pest Solutions and get the facts!
Can You Really Get Bed Bugs From Charity Stores?
It’s a given fact that we all want to save on money when buying furniture, which is why charity stores or thrift shops have always been a great option.
Like any other piece of furniture, these locations will generally offer second-hand items for sale, which means that bed bug infestations can be an issue if the item or furniture is not correctly cared for. Unfortunately, an increasing number of people are finding themselves plagued by this common problem.
Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed off our blood while we sleep at night. They generally hide in small crevices within your home, or they nestle themselves in beds or sofas to get closer to their hosts.
Since thrift shops and charity stores are full of people and cluttering, it is easier for bed bugs to infest these areas.
Charity stores may be a great find, but if you don’t know how to spot signs of bed bugs infestation, then you should not buy used furniture, so you don’t risk causing havoc into your home.
How to Ensure You Don’t Get Bed Bugs From Charity Stores
If you’re thinking about buying second-hand items, consider checking the following 3 points first:
Look Out for Signs of Bed Bug Activity
When it comes to charity stores, bed bugs will most likely infest upholstery and mattresses.
Since these two areas are not constantly exposed, it makes it harder to spot signs of infestation, so you should be extra cautious when checking out furniture for purchase.
Look for blood spots and tiny dark stains due to bed bugs feces as well as small yellowish eggs, which resemble mustard seeds stuck in crevices and furniture cracks.
In-Store Inspections
Many people might find inspecting furniture while still at the charity store weird, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you have your own tools at home, it would help to bring a flashlight and magnifying glass so you can look for the signs mentioned earlier.
Check under cushions and along seams of furniture before making the payment just to be sure that bed bugs are not hiding in any of these spots.
Carry Some Bug Spray
Last but not least, make sure that you carry some bug spray along with you when checking out second-hand items because this will increase your chances of finding bed bugs in the first place!
Bed bug sprays are designed to kill these tiny insects, so if you find anything that makes your skin crawl, then spraying them down beforehand with a good repellent can save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.
Ways to Deal With Bed Bugs From Charity Stores
If for some reason you suddenly end up with bed bugs in your home, never panic because there are ways you can deal with bed bugs to remove them effectively.
One effective way to rid yourself of bed bugs is through the use of heat, so if the furniture you bought is infested with these pesky pests, you can simply toss the item in your dryer and set it to high heat for at least 20 minutes or so. Make sure that you have a good bed bug spray handy just in case any bugs try to escape along the way.
Also it’s better to contact pest control companies to remove bed bugs for you. Professionals are very efficient when it comes to pest control so you can rest assured that the bugs will be gone in no time.
It’s also advisable that you clean up your entire home thoroughly every once in a while especially if you have children or pets because since these creatures are very sensitive, they may get affected by bed bug from charity stores as well.
In a Nutshell
Bed bugs are a serious issue for many people. The spread of bed bugs is not limited to Malaysia, but they do tend to thrive in warmer climates with lower humidity.
If you buy used furniture from charity stores or second-hand shops, be sure that it has been thoroughly inspected before bringing it into your home.
We hope this post was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or want to remove bed bugs from your home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!
