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We are thinking about buying some used furniture, in particular a large wood bookcase. However, given that bedbug infestations have been in the news so much, we are concerned about the possibility of bedbugs in this piece (they can hide in crevices, etc.). Would you buy used wood furniture with this concern in mind?
Really? Um, no. I would not be worried at all. I could also finish typing this and get hit a bus....
I just bought a used table and used wooden desk. The table came straight in the house. The desk stayed out in the yard for a day or so, just because I need to repaint it.
I dunno, do you never stay at hotels or leave your home?
A wood bookcase will not have bedbugs in it. If your still unsure, buy it, take it home and leave it outside. Wipe it down, top to bottom, with a good cleaner and then polish it. Don't forget to clean the bottom and the back. The worst thing you should find is a spider or two.
I have stopped shopping second hand altogether...no more yard sales/flea markets, craigslist, etc. Won't buy used clothing or furniture anymore.
While the chances are slim I'll get some critters....I am the mother of 3 girls with long hair and nieces with long hair..... when they were younger- lice was a constant battle. Now that they are grown- I don't want to deal with any type of infestation of any kind. When we travel I carry a flashlight in my bag to check for bedbugs in hotel rooms- even on cruise ships.
I've only come into contact with them once- and it was during a scan of a mattress at a hotel.
Just take precautions like ShaneSA said to do- clean it well.
A wood bookcase will not have bedbugs in it. If your still unsure, buy it, take it home and leave it outside. Wipe it down, top to bottom, with a good cleaner and then polish it. Don't forget to clean the bottom and the back. The worst thing you should find is a spider or two.
It's a bookcase unit (i.e. huge), so we really can't leave it in the yard, since there wouldn't be anyone to help us get it back in the house. So it would have to go from the place right into the house.
It's a bookcase unit (i.e. huge), so we really can't leave it in the yard, since there wouldn't be anyone to help us get it back in the house. So it would have to go from the place right into the house.
I wouldn't worry about a bookcase. I don't think I'd buy a used mattress though.
I had one friend who bought an antique wood piece and it had bugs (woodworms or something) which was a problem. Another one bought a piece of fur/animal hide and it had moths. The rule of thumb with those things are: never bring it into the house until it has been thoroughly cleaned, spray and/or fumigated!
That said . . . your piece is new-ish so I wouldn't worry too much. But do check in the crevices and corners (of anything really) for critters. And definitely clean it thoroughly before bringing into your house. If it makes you feel better, you may as well spray it with some kind of insect spray. I would think that spray used on plants might work since it's not supposed to harm leaves and stems? I always spray things down with Lysol as a last step before bringing anything in.
BTW, there's been a warning about bedbugs for clothing purchased from thrift stores/consignment shops. Any clothing purchased second-hand should be washed immediately.
Check all the crevasses with a flashlight and hope for the best.
Until they actually allow a more aggressive pesticide on the market.....this will continue to be an ongoing problem.
I think they can be killed by heat. If you do find anything suspicious, you could wrap the piece in plastic and maybe blow in a hot hair-dryer.
Not sure.
A metro area library closed down because bedbugs were found in books returned in the regular book return. The whole idea creeps me out I agree w/posters that say to leave it outside until you can really inspect it and clean it well. (The library put the books in a van to "cook" - I don't recall the temp. but those buggers will die at a certain temp.)
Wow. No more library books for me...I would be more concerned about termites than bedbugs with a wooden bookshelf.
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I agree w/posters that say to leave it outside until you can really inspect it and clean it well. (The library put the books in a van to "cook" - I don't recall the temp. but those buggers will die at a certain temp.)
