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krissie55

Thrift stores and bedbugs

krissie55
13 years ago

A word of warning, thrift stores can/do have bedbugs these days.

I encountered bed bugs in the linen section of a local thrift store recently. Two large sized bedbugs were walking around on a sheet I had just slid sheet off a hanger, not opened up yet. I dropped the sheet like a hot potato and left the store. Brushed myself best I could before entering the car and as soon as I got home stripped to my birthday suit, tossed clothes in the washer and quickly got a shower from head to toe.

I phoned the thrift store and told them they had bedbugs in the linen section.

Here is a URL with pictures of many different kind of bedbugs. Take a look and be forewarned what they look like.

http://www.google.com/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1044&bih=729&q=bed+bugs&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Comments (41)

  • grainlady_ks
    13 years ago

    OH MY! Thanks for the warning...

    -Grainlady

  • jomuir
    13 years ago

    I don't shop much in thrift shops, but when I was younger I often bought used soft furniture. I was at a friend's home recently & as she proudly showed me her second hand furniture all I could think was BEDBUGS. She loves thrift shops & I hope she doesn't get them that way.

    Thanks for the tip.

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    I've also read drying clothing at 120F for 30 minutes will kill the bugs and eggs but this probably won't work on comforters. Than after drying everything needs stored in airtight plastic bags until the bugs in the house are removed. This could be a process. This bedbug stuff is exactly why if I go thrift store shopping where bedbugs could be waiting for a new home the items get bagged and tied closed before getting in the van..than set outside at home until wash time, I don't even put them in my shed until they have been washed. I do have quite a few old sheets in my shed but they came from my cousin and hopefully no bedbugs. I understand this has been a real issue in thrift stores for awhile now. If I stay at a hotel the first thing I do is lift the matteress and shine a flashlight between that and the box spring..you will see the critters. I did find them at a Holiday Inn in State College Pa...we requested a refund and left. Very disturbing to me. Lol. Pat I agree with above posts, All Free and Clear has no added ingredients to kill any critters, its just a marketing ploy.
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  • mommabird
    13 years ago

    Thrift stores have bedbugs - and so do many of the high end furniture stores! The Made in China furniture comes in with them, straight off the boat. I have a friend who works for the EPA and he said both "soft" and "hard" furniture is a problem, both brand new and used.

    I am afraid to buy ANYTHING anymore, either new or used. I will have to buy a new bed in the next few weeks. I'm letting my exhusband have two of the five beds in my house, and I have to replace them. After talking to my friend who works for the EPA, I'm afraid to buy new beds anywhere! It doesn't matter how much you spend, even the most expensive places can have bedbugs. GROSS!!! Maybe my son and I will both just sleep on the floor in our rooms!

  • davidro1
    13 years ago

    Hammocks are better.

  • someone2010
    13 years ago

    I'm thinking about getting some of that Advantage I use on my dogs for fleas and rubbing a mess of it on my back. Then when the bed bugs bite me they will die. COME AND GET SOME YA NASTY CRITTERS.

  • mikie_gw
    13 years ago

    get a dehumidiier
    under 50% humidity kills bedbugs... supposedly

  • maifleur01
    13 years ago

    Couple of comments not intended to be spam. In this area we have several mattress manufacturers, Serta, Hawn, so the idea that all mattresses are made in China is one of those myths.

    The spam part. A company here, Indigo Wild maker of Zum products has in there store a anti-bedbug spray. According to the information cinnamon will drive away bedbugs. When I was at their place I forgot to ask what type of cinnamon was being used as there are two different plants being sold as cinnamon which are totally different plant families.

  • Carol_from_ny
    13 years ago

    Recently saw bedbug killer in a Christmas Tree Shoppes store.
    I'm sure if you do some research you will find plenty of advice on how to kill them.

  • sushipup1
    13 years ago

    Maifleur, why would you think your comments could ever be construed as spam? You don't own either company, right?
    That's what make spam, when someone posts on here for the sole purpose of selling their own products, or misleading people to go to dangerous websites.

  • maifleur01
    13 years ago

    To some any direct suggestion of a company to purchase a product from is spam. Recently I have noticed some long time members posting information that could lead directly to a website that they sell things from so put the disclaimer.

  • vala55
    13 years ago

    I wouldn't buy any second hand fabric items there or anywhere. I just read in our newspaper that the bed bugs are rampant in the east and are working their way west.

  • maifleur01
    13 years ago

    I think as time goes by most people will think of bedbugs the way people now think of headlice. When I was young only dirty people got headlice now it seems it is expected if you have children. In the future if you travel you will expect to have bedbugs at some time.

    I am really hoping like headlice I never have a time.

  • monicatx
    13 years ago

    I disagree with the comments about buying furniture at thrift stores. By federal law, all soft items such as furniture, pillows & footstools must be put into an sealed, enclosed room or building and treated with a gas to kill bedbugs.

    Until recently, when my health gave out, I volunteered at our local thrift store. It was a couple of years before they could afford to build the tiny building to use the poison gas so we gave all upholstered items to the Salvation Army. I think the law originated in the 20's or 30's but you don't have to worry about upholstered thrift store items. By the way, many of the volunteers at the thrift store don't know why the items have to be treated in that tiny building, they just put them in there.

    I do agree that bed bugs can spread quickly. Recently I was told at a furniture store that if I tried a mattress and didn't like it, I could return it. It only takes a few hours for bed bugs to jump onto a mattress. That is a bad policy. Also, there is no spray that you can buy that will kill bed bugs unless you see it walking around.

    Uggg. Hate those things.

  • jomuir
    13 years ago

    monicatx, I have to respectfully disagree with you on the notion that all used furniture is fumigated by federal law. I used to work next door to a Salvation Army store & I seriously doubt there was any treatment of the soft furniture other than putting it on display. Do you know a name of this law or any more information because I'm not finding anything like this when I google it. The closest I found was a Salvation Army store manager saying they INSPECT the furniture carefully, which could still harbor bed bugs.

    I think that used furniture is a good thing as far as economics and decreasing landfills goes, but I just wouldn't risk getting bed bugs, my SIL has had a minor problem with them & it has been horrible for her emotionally.

    Here is a link that might be useful: bed bugs in used furniture article

  • LuAnn_in_PA
    13 years ago

    "I disagree with the comments about buying furniture at thrift stores. By federal law, all soft items such as furniture, pillows & footstools must be put into an sealed, enclosed room or building and treated with a gas to kill bedbugs. "

    Can you cite a source for this?
    I know of ZERO thrift stores in my area that do that....

  • vala55
    13 years ago

    A few years ago there were problems with bed bugs in new mattresses made of recycled internal parts. If there is a law it may be regarding those mattresses. Having a sealed room and treating old mattresses would be to costly for thrift shops to use.

  • sushipup1
    13 years ago

    Used bedding is treated under California law, so I think it's a state thing, not federal. And no, the individual stores don't do the processing. Organizations like Good will have regional centers for such work, or they sublet the work to other companies.

  • lucky_12
    13 years ago

    I read that any mattress coming into your home whether used or new should be put in a bug proof mattress cover for eight months. Thats how long it takes for them to die of starvation. Especially if you live in an apartment or have guests stay at your home.

  • maifleur01
    13 years ago

    Have you given a thought on how a mattress cover could be bug proof? Any opening to place the mattress is an opening a bug could go through as most would have connections where what ever seal would be weak or nonexistant.

    Of course you could be like my DIL and insist that a guest immediately shower and anything that can not be washed in hot water, includes medicene bottles be left outside. Guests come in all types but most guests do not like to be considered a bug carrier. Of course after a while you have no guests.

  • vala55
    13 years ago

    I don't even like to be told to take off my shoes when I got into someone's home. I was only asked that once, the owner had just shampooed it so I understood. When my guests come in out of the rain, they start to take off their shoes, I tell them it's only water, keep them on if you want to. It's a home, not a temple/shrine.

  • monicatx
    13 years ago

    Sorry, I was wrong in saying it was a federal law (tho I think it should be). I had been told years ago that the law was federal. The federal law only states that the item has to be tagged with what the contents are.

    http://www.ehow.com/about_5340515_laws-resale-used-mattresses.html

    Yes, our little local thrift store, Serving Center of Round Rock, TX has built a tiny building to treat furniture, mattresses & pillow type of donations. It should be a federal law that all placing selling these items should have them fumigated.

    Here is a link that might be useful: ehow & laws

  • jomuir
    13 years ago

    Monica, you're right, it should be a federal law. Thanks for updating your post. I wish more did fumigate, but I've never seen it here in the Detroit area.

    20 years ago, a friend brought me a white sofa & loveseat he picked from the curb/trash, I vacuumed them thoroughly, & washed down with hot water & bleach. That furniture lasted so long for me & I gave them to my cousin when I didn't want them anymore. I would NEVER do that now due to fear of bedbugs!

  • dreamgarden
    13 years ago

    I had bedbugs after I got back from vacation. I have pets and didn't want them exposed to chemicals so I used food grade Diatomaceous Earth to get rid of them. Worked great. Don't forget to put it in the vacuum cleaner bag.


    A link that might be useful:

    www.badbedbugs.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs/

  • plantmaven
    13 years ago

    Here in San Antonio, I was told by a person at a matteress store that by state law once one left the store it was considered used.
    I had asked about borrowing a set to stage my house for sale. My thought was to not open the plastic cover and to put an ad placard stating the store I got it from.

    I went to a Salvation store to buy a set and was told they do not take used matteress sets any more. I finally bought off Cr***s list. But that was in 2007. I would not buy used to have in my home.

  • Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
    13 years ago

    Dreamgarden, where did you go on vacation?

  • totsuka
    13 years ago

    Anything I buy off CL is clean before bringing into my home. I don't recommend any matress and very leary of a couch, chair. I never buy used clothes, towels, etc...

  • dreamgarden
    13 years ago

    "Dreamgarden, where did you go on vacation?"

    Santee, South Carolina. Quality Inn. Don't bother staying across the street at the Holiday Inn Express. They have them there as well.

  • SYinUSA, GA zone 8
    12 years ago

    It's likely a state-by-state thing, but our local (Ohio) thrift shops aren't allowed to sell used mattresses at all, and all upholstered furniture (as well as pillows and other soft goods you can't necessarily throw in the wash) is fumigated. There are tags on every affected item saying as much. It's possible that the bedbugs the OP spotted had jumped off of a customer that had been in the store. I don't think that they wash the sheets before putting them out for sale, though, so they could have been "donated" with the items. Anybody know how long the chemicals from the fumigation are supposed to last? I mean, if those bedbugs from the sheets made their way to the furniture that had been fumigated, would they survive the chemicals?

  • buffyfultz
    12 years ago

    I love thrift stores but IâÂÂve never been able to bring myself to buy linen or shoes from them. I have my reservations about clothes too. Not that I think theyâÂÂre dirty, wearing clothes that have been worn by someone I donâÂÂt know makes me uneasy.

  • krissie55
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    I had been buying used sheets at thrift shops for about 3 years before encountering bedbugs. Our church quilt group makes quilts for charity using sheets for the backing.

    This time was my last time to shop for sheets at thrift stores.

    We are in need of used sheets and welcome suggestions where to find them other than at bedbug infested places, please let me know.

    Krissie

  • jannie
    12 years ago

    I stay out of thrift stores, 99 cent stores and dollar stores. Junk,junk,junk that I don't need in my house. And a great way to save money.

  • pekemom
    12 years ago

    I don't go into thrift stores anymore either. But I do clean our rentals sometimes and hope I don't bring anything home.
    So far, so good. I don't know how much longer my luck will hold out!

  • bellamay
    12 years ago

    Recently a family member shared that they bring all their own bedding while traveling and change the sheets, mattress pad and pillows before spending the night at a hotel. They are older and feel this is the cleanest way to stay in a hotel. I tried to explain that they were exposing themselves to bedbugs but they didn't believe me until their house became infested. They still don't believe this was a result of changing the bedding at hotels but its obvious this was the case. If you don't want to sleep on other peoples nasty stuff in hotels sleep in your car!!

  • dreamgarden
    12 years ago

    If you brought bedbugs home and don't want to fumigate your house here is one way to help get rid of them.

    A link that might be useful:

    www.bedbuginfo.com/using-diatomaceous-earth-to-kill-bed-bugs.php

  • pekemom
    12 years ago

    New mattress returns? Speaking of possible bedbugs and thrift stores, we bought a new mattress.
    After 3 days it was just too firm. They took it back and brought us another we selected, that one worked fine (medium firm). Anyway, I
    assume they resold that mattress we had initially.
    Even the one we got might have been in someone else's home, I don't know. I didn't think about it until I read this thread. Even
    "new" may not be "new"..

  • petesmom
    12 years ago

    I have no experience with thrift stores or used furniture (except from family) but I do have info concerning other comments here
    First is the bedbugs. I travel quite a bit for work and have to stay in hotels. My business partner and I both did a ton of research on bedbugs and they are actually very small. That is how they get transfered. You cant easily see them.
    Next, mattresses. When I was younger I worked at a big name mattress store. The new mattresses were made in a factory and then sat sealed in their bags for months before they even were sent to a customer. Most popular mattresses are made in the USA and should it be in a bedbug area there is no way the bugs would make it to your home. When someone returned a mattress it would get picked up and taken to a special facility that "treated" I dont know what they did, but they get put back into plastic that is clearly marked as having been used. We never had a complaint from any customers about any critters.
    Lastly, lice. Lice are not attracted to dirty people. Again if you do the research you will find that lice will only live on clean hair. They cannot attach and lay eggs to oily hair therefore dont choose live there.

  • mommabird
    12 years ago

    My ex-husband lives on a street that has apartments on both sides of the street. Each building has 4 townhouse apartments. I just found out that the street is becomein infested with bedbugs, passed from one apartment to another. Now I am totally freaked out! My son brings his clothes for the weekend to-and-fro. I was thinking he should just keep clothes there, but what about his coat, bookbag, etc. that he must bring home? I can't throw those away every other weekend!

  • krissie55
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Freezing things in the freezer (if you have one large enough) will kill many bugs. Might try that. Spread things out so there is more space around them in order to freeze faster.

  • allahakbbq
    11 years ago

    ...fire works pretty well, too...

  • MyOverActiveMind
    11 years ago

    I worked at a thrift store and we NEVER treated ANYTHING.

  • MyOverActiveMind
    11 years ago

    I guess I should also add that probably 90% of my wardrobe, sheets, rugs, curtains and towels came from there and I've NEVER had a problem with bedbugs.