# Buying Used Bed- How to check for bedbugs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465 "2010-07-21T14:25:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/1 "2010-07-21T14:25:43Z")
My wife wants to get a bed for the guest room. We currently have an old full size, but that doesn’t work when more than one person shows up, unless they really like to cuddle all night. She has found one on craigslist, and it sounds like it was hardly used. However, there have been increasing reports of bed bugs in the area, and I don’t want to introduce them into our house. Any idea on how to check for an infestation? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/2 "2010-07-21T14:49:30Z")
You would be better off assuming it to be infested and treating it as such. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/3 "2010-07-21T15:05:51Z")
It’s pretty much impossible be sure there are no bedbugs in something soft. You’d pretty much have to shred a mattress or boxspring to be sure there aren’t a handful of the critters hiding in a bit of padding. A major infestation should be easier to spot if you probe around a bit – here’s a good [guide on what to look for](http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp). If you’re just looking at a frame, however, you can more reliably check all the crevices, especially if you can take it apart. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/4 "2010-07-21T15:08:51Z")
I would buy a used frame no problem, but not a used boxspring/mattress. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/5 "2010-07-21T16:12:01Z")
Here in NC it’s illegal to sell a used mattress but people do it anyway. I guess bedbugs might be a reason for the ban. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/6 "2010-07-21T16:13:02Z")
G-ross. Ugh. G-ross. Had to repeat that. edit: double gross if I were your guest. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/7 "2010-07-21T16:26:23Z")
We had very good luck buying mattresses for the kids at IKEA. We got very good quality foam mattresses for very low prices - and they were new. I would look into this - this would work out perfectly well for a guest room. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/8 "2010-07-21T16:35:03Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Here in NC it’s illegal to sell a used mattress but people do it anyway. Selling used mattresses is not illegal in NC. NC law requires that used mattresses be sanitized before they are sold. [cite.](http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/images/bedding/NCGS_130A_261-273.pdf) See 130A-262. (pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/9 "2010-07-21T16:38:15Z")
The local radio show thinks it’s illegal to sell a mattress , guess they had wrong or old info. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/10 "2010-07-21T16:39:17Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > G-ross. > > Ugh. > > G-ross. Had to repeat that. > edit: double gross if I were your guest. > [@Skammer](#): > > I would buy a used frame no problem, but not a used boxspring/mattress. Yeah. I’ve gotten great deals on mattress/box springs on Overstock. And since it’s Overstock, delivery is only $3. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/11 "2010-07-21T16:59:40Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Selling used mattresses is not illegal in NC. NC law requires that used mattresses be sanitized before they are sold. > > [cite.](http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/images/bedding/NCGS_130A_261-273.pdf) See 130A-262. (pdf) I would sanitize it in a bonfire, myself. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/12 "2010-07-21T17:03:07Z")
Yeah, this falls in the realm of things I wouldn’t buy used, after underwear, bathing suits, socks, shoes and sheets. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/13 "2010-07-21T17:06:28Z")
Take it from someone who did research on bedbugs for years (i.e. me). Don’t buy a used bed/mattress. Buy a cheap bed and mattress at IKEA. TRUST ME. The hassle and expense of potentially bringing an infestation into your home isn’t worth the couple hundred you’ll save. Ditto for sofas, loveseats, upholstered chairs etc… ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/14 "2010-07-21T17:06:54Z")
I think a foam mattress is pretty safe, as nothing can really get inside it. But I woudldn’t buy the old fashioned kind used. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/15 "2010-07-21T17:11:51Z")
> [@lazybratsche](#): > > It’s pretty much impossible be sure there are no bedbugs in something soft. You’d pretty much have to shred a mattress or boxspring to be sure there aren’t a handful of the critters hiding in a bit of padding. This is true - and even then, its easy to miss an egg or two. The only way to be sure is to use a dog trained to sniff out bedbugs, and they aren’t cheap to access. Even if you had access to one (and there are only a few people in the country training and using them now) it’ll cost you many hundreds of dollars (possibly thousands) to hire one, with the handler. Buy a new bed. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/16 "2010-07-21T17:14:51Z")
[pinworm](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=233980) eggs can survive up to 3 weeks in a cozy, moist environment. (in case the idea of bugs feasting on your blood at night isn’t enough to discourage you.) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/17 "2010-07-21T17:31:48Z")
Having spent hundreds of dollars to deal with a bedbug infestation, I would not buy a used mattress under any circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/18 "2010-07-22T00:14:31Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > I would sanitize it in a bonfire, myself. Exactly. Set it on fire and listen for the popping noises. Hey! Bedbugs! ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-used-bed-how-to-check-for-bedbugs/547465/19 "2010-07-22T00:33:01Z")
Isn’t a full bed made for two people? Unless you’re getting a lot of guests who stay for a long time, I guess I don’t see the need to get a new bed. A full should be plenty IMHO