How to Check Used Furniture for Bed Bugs
So, you got a great deal at a charity shop and now have a brand new sofa in your living room. That’s great, but since you’re already here, you probably want to know how to identify if old furniture contains bed bugs.Yes, you are correct. Bed bugs, despite their small size, may be a great pain to get rid of. DIY approaches are rarely successful. That’s why examining furniture before you buy it is the greatest method to avoid getting bitten by bed bugs.How to discover bed bugs in used furniture on the spot The wood joints and internal areas of furniture are the most popular sites for bed bugs to hide. In rare cases, evidence of an infestation can also be seen in the furniture legs.It’s not easy to spot a continuing infestation. Bed bugs love to hide in small nooks and crevices, as well as cracks in furniture.Find out where the used furniture has been storedInquire about the storage location of the furniture. Because storage facilities aren’t always secured and airtight, it’s typical for sellers to store their furniture in them, which can lead to bed insect infestations.Ask the seller whether you can inspect the furniture for bugs personally if it’s an upholstered piece or one that’s been stored in a storage facility.Furthermore, because many customers move between storage facilities, bed bugs can swiftly spread from one location to another, much like they can in a hotel room. In addition, many people store mattresses and upholstered things in these containers, making them ideal bed bug habitats.How to get rid of bed bugs in upholstered furnitureIf you’re not sure if a piece of furniture has bed bugs or if you want to buy a nice item that has evidence of pests, you’ll need to completely clean it.
- Studies indicated that bed bugs subjected to temperatures over 50°C for more than two minutes died completely. Remove the cushion coverings and any other removable portions of the chair, sofa, couch, etc., and set them in the dryer to accomplish this. To effectively eliminate all life stages of bed bugs, place them on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Vacuuming the furniture is another non-chemical control option. To avoid reinfestation, always use a disposable vacuum bag. Vacuum all edges and corners of the furniture, particularly the nooks and crannies, and then dispose of the vacuum bag.
- Cracks should be filled with diatomaceous earth. It appears to be effective at penetrating bed bugs’ exoskeleton and killing them.
- Move the furniture to another room as soon as bed bug eggs are discovered. Keep all infested things in this location. If necessary, only one room will need to be heat-treated. It’s still a good idea to look through the remaining rooms.
- Dry washing destroys bed bugs at all stages, making it ideal for delicate fabrics and materials that are sensitive to temperature changes.