Can you get bed bugs from used furniture, and how do I check it?
Written by the Hydra Pest Control team, Arizona-licensed (license #9790)
Last reviewed:
Yes. Bed bugs hitchhike on furniture, bedding and boxes, and they can survive several months to a year without feeding, so a piece that's been sitting empty isn't automatically safe. Check seams, joints, cushions and undersides before it comes inside, and skip discarded mattresses and curbside upholstered furniture.
Why used furniture is a risk
EPA says bed bugs hitchhike on furniture, bedding, luggage, boxes and clothing, and can survive several months to a year without feeding.
Arizona's rental bed bug statute, A.R.S. 33-1319, lists using discarded mattresses and furniture and used or leased furniture as risk factors.
How to check a piece
Use a flashlight. Check seams, tufts, joints, screw holes, drawer runners, under cushions and the fabric backing.
Look for the signs CDC lists: shed skins, bugs in folds, rusty spots and a sweet musty odor.
Lower the risk at home
EPA recommends checking secondhand furniture, beds and couches before bringing them home. Mattress encasements reduce hiding spots, and reducing clutter helps.
Frequently asked
Are thrift store and online marketplace finds risky?
Any used furniture can carry bed bugs. Check secondhand furniture, beds and couches before bringing them home, as EPA recommends.
Does leaving furniture in the Arizona heat kill bed bugs?
Don't rely on it. EPA notes heat in a closed car or bags may not work: success depends on climate and other factors.
What should I do if I find signs?
Leave the piece outside or don't bring it home. If you think bed bugs are already inside, call a licensed pest control company.
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