Your Thrift Store Finds Could Be Hiding Bed Bugs—How to Avoid Bringing Them Home

Thrift shopping is a wonderful way to fill your home and closet with beautiful décor, furnishings, and clothes for a fraction of the cost. However, it can also create pesky pest problems if you’re not careful. Bed bugs love items like upholstered furniture and clothing (or really anything with crevices for them to hide in), which are prime thrift store items.

That said, if you arm yourself with the right knowledge and learn how to spot bed bugs properly, you can enjoy thrifting without bringing these pests into your home. Below, two experts share what to do during and after your thrift trip to stay protected. 

How to Protect Yourself When You're Shopping 

There are some precautions you can take when thrift shopping to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you.

Treat Anything as a Potential Carrier

Like with many things, vigilance is key when thrifting. Allan Bossel, bed bug expert at Bed Bug Exterminator, recommends treating anything you pick up at the store as a potential carrier. He explains that bed bugs are great hitchhikers and will go anywhere they can hide, including mattresses, upholstered furniture, and padded headboards. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't purchase any of these items secondhand, but you should tread carefully (and know that bed bugs don’t discriminate). 

Check the Stitches and Folds of Clothing

You've found the perfect puffy coat on the rack, but do you need to check it for bed bugs? Bossel says yes. "Clothing can carry bedbugs, too, as these pests can hide in thick fabrics and seams of suits, winter coats, and anything that's quilted, so make sure to check the stitches and folds that they can wedge themselves into," Bossel explains. 

Daniel Baldwin, board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control, agrees. "Although bed bugs are small, they’re still visible to the naked eye, so it’s possible to see them on clothing," he explains. "However, bed bugs could get into areas that are difficult to see, such as the inside of seams, between fabric outers and linings, and beneath collars and cuffs. When visually inspecting clothing for bed bugs, check these areas carefully and be on the lookout for other signs of bed bugs, like sticky white eggs and empty skin casings."

Look for Tiny Dark Spots

We're sorry to report that even if you don’t see live bugs, it doesn’t mean that bed bugs aren't present. Bossel says it's especially important for thrifters to check for tiny dark spots on items, which he says are bed bug droppings. "If you're buying wooden furniture, check the screw holes, cracks, and joints, as these are some of the sneaky hiding spots," Bossel adds. Besides checking potential wooden furniture, Baldwin suggests closely examining bedding, clothing, and carpets for any sign of bed bug droppings.

Keep a Layer Between Your Skin and Clothes You Try On

Bossel says it’s not very common to get bed bugs just from trying on thrifted clothing, but a little precaution never hurts. "If you want to be cautious, keep a layer between your skin and the clothing you're trying on by wearing leggings or a tight undershirt," he says. "Hang your clothes away from other fabrics while trying on store clothes as well." Wash the clothes you wore when thrifting when you get home.

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What to Do When You Get Home 

Bed bug watch isn’t over just yet—there’s still more to do at home to keep your place pest-free. 

Quarantine Secondhand Furniture

Whether you just picked up your dream sofa from Facebook Marketplace or a high-backed chair you love from Goodwill, don't bring secondhand furniture inside right away. "Make sure you quarantine it first in your garage or in a covered outside area," Bossel says. "Give yourself enough time to inspect, treat, and ensure that it is not infested with bedbugs before you move it inside your home. You can also use a steamer on the seams and cracks, or call in a professional if the item is high-risk."

A high-risk item might be anything with upholstery or lots of crevices. If you’re not confident in your inspection abilities, consider enlisting a specialist. 

Place Thrifted Clothes in the Washer ASAP

As soon as you step foot inside your front door with your bag of thrifted clothing, head straight to the laundry room. "Don't toss them on the couch or bed once you get home—place them in the washer right away," Bossel cautions. "Using a hot wash cycle followed by a long, hot dry cycle would be enough to kill any bedbugs and their eggs, as heat is a bedbug's worst enemy. This is the same principle we use in our professional treatments."

Baldwin adds that 113 degrees Fahrenheit is the magic number for killing bed bugs and their eggs. He recommends drying thrifted clothing on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes or more after washing.