Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Getting Brand New Couch in Cincinnati; Minimizing BB Risks?
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ExtremelyAngry
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 6
Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jun 29 2009 11:22:12
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Hi Forum,
I hear there is BB risk associated with acquiring brand new furniture. It could be infested before I ever get it into my home. I heard two stories of new pillows and mattresses being found to have bugs inside of them before even being put to use.
What would you all make of such claims and how can you lower that risk?
Also, if I put a couch into my apartment (do not have one yet) are there any tactics or things I can do to help minimize the possibility of it becoming infested (although I have no BB problems in my bedroom)
Thanks in advance.
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130
Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jun 29 2009 13:47:37
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I would look through the frequently asked question section to find information on inspection.
The truth of the matter is, especially in bed bug hot spots (and let me be clear. I think we're going to see more cities turn into bed bug hot spots in the near future. NYC, Boston, Toronto, Cincinnati I think are the canaries in the coal mines on this issue), everyone runs the risk of exposure.
There is a chance that you might pick up a hitch hiker from a delivery truck with bugs if you buy a couch or a mattress, but it's just as likely that you might pick up a hitch hiker from a package from the UPS or USPS or Fed Ex truck.
The best thing you can do, since sofas are hard to isolate, contain plenty of wooden hidey holes, and plenty of cushy upholstered nooks and crannies, is to educate yourself about the signs of bed bugs.
If possible, have the sofa delivered not immediately to your residence but to a staging area in the yard/driveway/etc.
Do a thorough inspection of all likely spots on the sofa before you bring it into your home.
And then for the next few weeks, be vigilant about whether you see anywhere any of the tell tale signs.
My battle with bed bugs, in which I used chemicals, thermal, and steam--has convinced me that there really is no 100% foolproof avoidance method. I could pick up a lone hitch hiker or two in the folders my students use to submit their work. I can't stop bringing papers home, esp. since our Governor is threatening to furlough all of us by shutting down the university campuses two days a month. I cannot grade in the dark, and I'm not grading on those enforced days off if I'm not getting paid for it (even though I'll still be doing just as much work). I can't stop grading papers, and I can't get all of them graded at the office, and I don't want to drive into the office on weekends. On weekends that I'm traveling out of state, I have to take the papers with me to get them done.
Each of us has to choose the point at which we're willing to do something that's got some element of risk to it but that f we choose not to do it, we make our own lives unbearably difficult.
And since there's an element of risk involved in many activities that we're not willing to give up, we're left with the need for education and regular inspection.
We can all pick bugs up anywhere. I'm not sure that I recall a post here from someone who confirmed that he or she got the bugs from a new item being delivered in a truck that was infested. I would think that the chances of infestation that way are small, but they aren't impossible.
So given that more and more people are going to face this dilemma--I face it every time I get on a plane and fly somewhere and have to stay in a hotel--the best "prevention" is education so that you can inspect thoroughly.
The general advice around here is that if you've recently had a possible (not a confirmed) exposure, inspect thoroughly once a week.
If you haven't had a recent possible exposure, once a month.
If you've had a confirmed exposure, well that seems to be outlined in the FAQs.
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Karen14's post deleted. See why here.
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