Thirft Stores? Bed Bugs?

[worm2872 635]

OK This is going to make me sound like I am nuts but I travel a lot for work and I know how pervasive bed bugs are and how easily they are moved around. Could they be in clothes from thirft stores? Do you bring home your clothes and wash them all on hot? What about dress clothes? Ever find them there?

I have never really shopped in them and I don't know what to do. lol I am hoping this will be my best option for clothes for a while.

[dstollery 290]

thanks allot worm, now i am gonna be itching all day!! SERIOUSLY!!!

I actually never did the thrift store shopping thing. I found that Walmart was actually my best option for clothes as i lost weight. though it should be remebered that i am a guy which means that 2 pairs of jeans and 3 shirts constitutes an entire wardrobe for me. (not true since losing weight =).) Usually the prices are so comprable that i would jsut rather not worry about it. here is a great article from lemon drop.com that keeps me shopping at discount stores rather than thrift =/

Moderate Risk: Clothing

Bedbugs can find their way into the pockets, inseams, cuffs and more of clothing. They love settling into dark, humid places, like the hood of a fur jacket or the lining of a wool sweater.

Before buying, give your thrift store find a 360-degree look to determine bedbug risk. Stretch knitting between your fingers to expose any resting critters, and look along the inner lining of a winter jacket. If it seems suspicious, pass it over.

Lower Your Risk: Keep thrift store buys tied tight in a plastic bag until you can wash and dry all contents on high heat. The sooner you do this, the better; a high-heat wash and dry will kill all bugs and eggs from articles of clothing.

[sky 87]

Sounds scary ....I'm second guessing more about going to a thrift store! I have in the past and never had problems

[abbybeep 53]

I tried to do the Thrift store thing but on my first visit I couldn't find anything I liked and after I thought more about it, I got nervous about bed bugs too. I went around and signed up to get coupons through email for places like New York and Co so I could go buy a few things and get money off. Also, a lot of cities have the Entertainment Book with coupons in it ($30ish) and there are some clothing store coupons and some fun activity coupons (zoo, putt putt, bowling).

[dstollery 290]

ohh the coupon books are great!! The other thing to remember is that as you lose, your cost for clothing is going to plumet!!! You remember all that crud on sale that you couldnt buy before? guess what? you will start fitting into that stuff!!!!!!! WINNING!!

[worm2872 635]

LOL I guess I am not nuts!!!! I'll stay out of them and just continue to donate.

Oh BTW, watch hats at any retailer. Lice love hats. That came straight from the Dept of Health. I am in HR so I have dealt with a lot.

[music1618 879]

As I sit here in my newly purchased thrift store shirt and jacket I am now itchy. I did wash mine immediately when I got home - so I should be ok.

[ladyspl 161]

I am a huge bargain hunter, and sometimes that means thrift stores, mostly means yard sales (seriously, I have 3 girls with a walk in closet of clothes, I'm poor, I can't afford Justice brand new) LOL

That being said, when I buy the stuff, it goes into a big garbage bag in the back of my truck, from there, right into the hot washer! I dont mess around with critters!

Even still, unfortunately, bed bugs can be found at Macys, in a theater, or just standing next to someone in line at the grocery store. Key is being aware. Make sure you change sheets often, and vacuum mattresses, and at the first sign, clean until you cant clean anymore, then start over and clean again!

[worm2872 635]

Yes and rental cars, airplanes, any fabric chair at the DMV. LOL

I think I am going to buy a HAZMAT suit and live in it or maybe a big bubble.

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

I haven't had issues & I'm always there well not for a while. I don't want to disappear from size 2 I'm stating size 2 until Tummy Tuck then I can be 1 or zero

[clevergrrl 2]

Hi all, I am a thrift shopper (my mom and daughters just LOVE it) and I always do as another lady said.. Keep it in a plastic bag on the back porch until you can wash it separately in a HOT wash with a capful of Lysol.

Then make sure your dryer is always on the highest setting for every load. You and your kids can bring all kinds of critters, not just bed bugs, at any time of the year into your home. The high heat of the dryer will kill anything that the Lysol doesn't. Told to me by an exterminator in the family!!