Shopping secondhand can be a thrifty way to find high-quality items at an unbeatable price. However, you may be concerned with the risk of bringing bedbugs into your home when you buy used furniture or clothing. Understand the risks associated with shopping at your local thrift store or flea market, and how you can minimize your chances of an infestation.

Guide to Bedbug Infestations & Secondhand Shopping

Why It’s Risky

Bedbugs are tiny creatures that you usually can’t see unless you’re carefully looking for them in dark creases of fabric. They can hide deep inside furniture, including the sofa or mattress. If the piece of furniture you purchase came from a home infested with bedbugs, you could be bringing them right into your room, and the problem might spread throughout your residence. Even luxury hotels and clean homes are at risk for infestation since these pests are attracted to any location where people rest.

How to Minimize Your Risk

Never pick up an item off the side of the road because it tends to be dirtier and has a higher likelihood of bugs since it’s been sitting outside. Instead, shop at reputable stores and conduct a visual inspection before taking anything home.

The critters like to hide in crevices, such as fabric seams, screw holes, or other cracks. During feeding, they leave behind small dark spots that look like stains from a black felt tip marker, so be on the lookout for those around the corners or edges of furniture.

If you bring home a new piece of furniture and family members start to itch from bedbug bites, you’ll want to schedule fumigation as quickly as possible. For affordable and effective organic pest control, contact the team of professionals at Dick’s Fumigation Services in Wailuku, HI. For over 65 years, these skilled exterminators have been assisting Maui residents and businesses with infestations from fleas, mites, ants, ticks, and roaches. Send a message online or call (808) 244-7496 to schedule tent fumigation.