How to check new furniture for bed bugs?

How to check new furniture for bed bugs? - briefly

Inspect seams, joints, and undersides of the furniture under bright light, searching for live bugs, shed skins, or dark spotting. If any evidence is found, isolate the item and arrange for treatment or return before use.

How to check new furniture for bed bugs? - in detail

When a piece of furniture arrives, treat it as a potential source of infestation. Begin with a controlled environment: place the item in a well‑lit room, preferably on a clean surface that can be examined from all angles.

1. Visual examination

   • Use a bright flashlight or a handheld magnifier.
   • Scan seams, joints, and hidden corners where fabric meets wood.
   • Look for live insects, which appear as small, reddish‑brown bodies about 5 mm long.
   • Identify dark, rust‑colored spots representing excrement.
   • Search for tiny, white, oval eggs attached to fabric or wood fibers.

2. Physical probing

   • Gently tug at cushions, pull back upholstery, and separate any removable covers.
   • Insert a thin probe or a disposable toothpick into crevices; withdraw and inspect for blood‑stained debris.
   • Examine any fabric folds, stitching, and piping with a lint roller to collect potential specimens.

3. Trapping devices

   • Set up double‑sided adhesive traps around the base of the item for 48 hours.
   • Place interceptors beneath legs to capture insects that may fall from the furniture.

4. Canine inspection (optional)

   • If available, employ a trained bed‑bug detection dog to sweep the surface.
   • Dogs can locate hidden insects with high accuracy, reducing the need for extensive disassembly.

5. Heat treatment

   • If signs of infestation are found, expose the furniture to temperatures of 48 °C (118 °F) for at least 90 minutes.
   • Use a professional heat chamber or a portable heater with a calibrated thermometer to ensure uniform temperature throughout the item.

6. Isolation protocol

   • Until the inspection is complete, keep the furniture away from sleeping areas.
   • Cover the piece with a sealed polyethylene bag to prevent any concealed insects from escaping.

7. Documentation

   • Record findings with photographs and notes on locations of any evidence.
   • Retain samples of insects or eggs in a sealed container for expert verification if needed.

By following these systematic steps, a newly acquired item can be thoroughly evaluated, reducing the risk of introducing bed‑bug populations into a living space.