Many people buy secondhand furniture because it’s affordable and eco-friendly, but used pieces can bring unwanted bedbugs into your home. These pests can linger in tight crevices and cause a range of issues, including loss of sleep and allergic reactions. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to score bargains while keeping your home pest-free.

How to Avoid Bedbugs in Secondhand Furniture

1. Stay Away From Upholstery

Upholstered furniture is the most susceptible to infestations. Bedbugs typically hide in any piece with padding, fabric, springs, and other nooks and crannies.

Even steam cleaning won’t kill bugs and eggs. To stay safe, avoid mattresses and fabric couches.

2. Go For Hard Items

Limit yourself to nonporous items. Hard, impermeable pieces made of wood or plastic don’t have seams or narrow cracks where bedbugs can easily hide.

Avoid materials with peeling paint, as bugs can linger in the cracks. Nightstands, tables, bookshelves, and chairs are some safe products.

3. Inspect Before Buying

Look for signs of infestation on upholstered furniture displayed, as bugs could jump from one item to the other. If an object for sale is affected, it might be best to avoid all pieces.

Check the crevices and seams for any brown, oval-shaped dots, using a flashlight or magnifying glass if needed. Any brown or reddish stains can be pest excrement. White eggshells and musty odors also signal an infestation.

If you’ve already brought home an infested piece of furniture, turn to the bedbug exterminators of Gateway Thermal Solutions, LLC. The team has over 32 years of experience restoring homes throughout St. Charles County, St. Louis, and St. Louis County, MO. Their heat treatments are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will wipe out the creepy crawlers from your home. They offer a 60-day no-fault warranty to ensure the pests are gone. Call (314) 445-4402 to request service, or visit their website to learn more about their process.