How To Avoid Bringing Hidden Bedbugs Into Your Home
You can’t always see them, and you never expect them, but bedbugs spread quietly, hitching a ride on furniture, luggage, and even clothing. And once they’re inside your home, getting rid of them becomes expensive, stressful, and time-consuming. The good news is that a little caution goes a long way towards keeping bedbugs out. With a few simple habits and a bit of awareness, you can enjoy thrifting, traveling, and everyday life without accidentally rolling out the welcome mat for these unwelcome pests.
Give Secondhand Furniture A Careful Inspection
Thrifted pieces can be charming reminders of the past, but they also come with history you might not want. Before bringing anything home, flip the cushions, check seams, and examine joints or cracks in wooden furniture. Bedbugs love to hide in these tiny spots. A flashlight helps, and make sure to take your time checking. If something looks too worn or suspicious, it’s okay to walk away. Saving money shouldn’t cost you your peace of mind.
Keep Thrift Store Finds Outside Until Examined
It’s tempting to bring your “new” treasure straight into the house, but patience really pays off. Set items on a porch, garage floor, or driveway first. This gives you space to inspect everything without risking an indoor infestation. For fabric items like covers on chairs or ottomans, use a vacuum with a crevice tool and then seal them in a plastic bag until you can clean the covers more thoroughly.
Heat Is Your Best Friend
Bedbugs can’t survive high heat. If you pick up clothing, linens, or small accessories from a thrift store, immediately toss them into the dryer on high for at least 30 minutes. Even items that seem clean benefit from a hot cycle just in case. It’s a simple step that wipes out any hidden bugs or eggs before they ever make contact with your home.
Be Smart With Luggage After A Trip
Hotels, even clean ones, can have hidden bedbugs. When you get home, don’t drag your suitcase across your carpet or bed. Instead, unpack in a garage or laundry room. Run all your clothes through the washer and dryer, even the “clean” ones. Wipe down hard-sided luggage and vacuum your fabric suitcases. It’s a little extra effort, but it keeps bugs from coming home with you after your vacation.
Use Bedbug-Proof Covers On Your Mattress
A protective mattress cover doesn’t just keep bugs out. It keeps any that might get in from spreading. These covers zip fully around your mattress and box spring. They’re not glamorous, but they add a layer of security that can save you a huge headache later if you’re worried about bed bugs. Think of them as insurance for your sleep space.
Know The Signs Before They Spread
Learning what bedbugs look like helps you catch problems before they get out of control. You’re looking for tiny reddish-brown bugs, pepper-like specks, or small blood stains on sheets or furniture. If you ever spot something that seems odd, take a closer look instead of shrugging it off. Bedbugs multiply quickly, but early detection makes a world of difference.
Be Cautious With Curbside Finds
Free furniture on the sidewalk can be appealing, but bedbugs are experts at hitching a ride on those pieces. Even if something looks clean, you have no idea where it’s been or why it’s on the curb. Unless you can fully inspect, treat, and sanitize it, it’s safer to skip those curbside temptations. It’s better safe than sorry.
Seal Gaps Around Your Home
Unlike what you might think, bedbugs don’t just arrive in bags or on furniture. They can travel between apartments or duplex units through tiny wall cracks or shared outlets. Sealing baseboards, outlet covers, and gaps around pipes helps create a barrier to keep bedbugs out. It’s a simple home improvement task that boosts your home’s defences against bedbugs. Think of it as tightening up your home’s armor just a bit.
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You don’t have to stop thrifting, traveling, or enjoying secondhand deals to avoid bedbugs. Just stay mindful. A few simple, thoughtful steps, like checking seams, using heat, and keeping luggage outside until cleaned, can protect your home from this stubborn and stressful pest. And once these habits become routine, you’ll barely think about them. You’ll just enjoy your finds, your travels, and your home, all without unwanted guests tagging along.
Bliss Donahue-Power
