Can I Prevent Bed Bugs When Purchasing Used Furniture?

Bed bugs are often brought into someone’s home through already infested furniture. This happens much more often than we’d like to believe. Thankfully, it is possible to find bed bugs in secondhand furniture by inspecting it before bringing it inside. Three things you can do to prevent bringing in bed bugs are:

1. Decide against buying upholstered used furniture.
2. Inspect every item that you purchase.
3. Don’t bring in free furniture without inspecting it.

How to Inspect Used Furniture for Bed Bugs

If you decide to purchase used furniture, there are several ways to make sure that there are no bed bugs hiding inside.

1. Look for small spots of fecal matter or blood. These are the best indicator of bed bug activity.
2. Look at the undersides and crevices of tables, bed frames, shelves, and other furnishings.
3. Check smaller spaces like screw holes, creases, and seams.
4. Don’t risk bringing in furniture that seems suspicious.

Plenty of people have no problems at all purchasing secondhand furniture free of bed bugs. However, many people will donate their furniture following a bed bug infestation. Just to be safe, it is always a smart call to inspect the secondhand furniture that you wish to buy.

Can You Get Bed Bugs Out of Used Furniture?

If you find a piece of infested furniture in a store, it is important to tell the store owner about it. If you’ve already purchased the item, there is a chance you will be refunded. If you want to salvage the infested furniture, talk to a professional bed bug exterminator. Make sure to leave the piece of furniture outdoors to avoid spreading the infestation.