According to a study carried out by IPSOS, the world’s leading market research company, second-hand purchases such as textiles (clothes, curtains, carpets) and furniture are responsible for around 10% of bed bug infestations. This alarming figure concerns buyers on platforms such as Le Bon Coin, Vinted, as well as second-hand and thrift store enthusiasts.
Bed bugs are a real scourge, and the acquisition of second-hand objects can increase the risk of introducing these parasites into your home. Here are a few tips to limit the risks.
Furniture and mattresses: caution is essential
Mattresses, box springs and other large pieces of furniture are particularly at risk when it comes to bed bugs infestation. We strongly advise against buying these items second-hand, especially if they’ve been picked up on the street. Often abandoned for a specific reason, these items can become infested, and their presence in your home is likely to cause a rapid proliferation of bedbugs.
Anti-bed bugs best practice when buying second-hand
If you still decide to buy second-hand, here are a few steps you can take to minimize the risks:
- Receive outside: Receive your purchases outside your home or in an easily cleanable space such as a tiled bathroom. Avoid bringing the itemimmediately into your living room or bedroom.
- Inspect the item thoroughly: Before bringing the item into your home, inspect it carefully. Look for the presence of adult bugs (3 to 6 mm),eggs or larvae, as well as black droppings, often found on the edges and seams of furniture and textiles.
- Vacuum and clean furniture: If you’ve bought a piece of furniture, vacuum it thoroughly and clean it with white vinegar, an excellent natural disinfectant. Make sure you get into every nook and cranny.
- Washing and freezing textiles: If you’ve bought clothes, curtains or other textiles, wash them at 60 degrees, the temperature required to kill bed bugs and their eggs. If this is not possible, place the textiles in the freezer for at least 72 hours to eliminate all traces of the insects.
- Treatment with Sereni-d: For extra protection, useSereni-d bed bug treatment, specially formulated to effectively kill bed bugs. These treatments secure your items before they enter your living space.
Be vigilant!
Buying second-hand can be both environmentally friendly and economical, but it also requires a high level of vigilance when it comes to bed bugs. Take all necessary precautions and treat your items with care to avoid any risk of infestation. With Sereni-d solutions, you can reduce the risks while protecting your home.
