Second-hand furniture and bed bugs: checking before it comes home

Why second-hand furniture is a risk

Used furniture can look perfectly good and still hold bed bugs. The Natural History Museum says small invasions can happen in any household as a result of buying second-hand furniture. The NHS advises checking second-hand furniture carefully before bringing it indoors. Bed bugs hide in bed frames, mattresses, furniture and clothing, so a bargain sofa or bed can carry them in.

Most second-hand furniture is fine, and you do not need to avoid it altogether. You do need a short routine, because bugs are easiest to stop at the door.

A clean appearance tells you very little. A university protocol says that even if things look clean, it does not mean they are. Always inspect.

Which items carry the most risk

Soft furniture and beds have the most hiding places. Coventry City Council advises avoiding second-hand bedroom furniture from an unknown source, and Newcastle City Council says not to bring second-hand furniture indoors without checking it carefully first.

Be extra careful with these items:

• Mattresses, divans and box springs.
• Bed frames and headboards, especially with joints and slats.
• Sofas, armchairs and upholstered chairs.
• Chests of drawers and bedside tables.

Items left on the street are a particular worry, because you do not know where they have been. The university protocol advises students not to bring street finds into halls.

How to inspect before you buy or collect

Look at the piece outside your home, in daylight or with a bright torch. Ask the seller if you can see it unwrapped. If the item is in a dark garage or covered, that is a reason to be careful.

Check these places in turn.

• Seams, piping and stitching on mattresses and cushions.
• Joints, slats and screw holes in wooden frames.
• The underside, where fabric lining often hides a gap.
• Inside drawers and along the back panel.
• Folds in the fabric and any staples or tags.

You are looking for live bugs, shed skins, small dark spots and rusty marks. Hastings Borough Council lists a musty odour as another possible sign. A single speck proves nothing, so take photos and decide with care.

If you find anything, walk away. If you only suspect something, ask a pest professional before the item enters your home.

Questions to ask the seller

A few questions help before you hand over any money. Ask where the item has been stored and for how long. Ask whether it came from a rented property, a shared house or a storage unit. A seller who cannot answer is giving you a reason to be careful.

Ask to see the item in daylight, because poor light hides small signs. If a charity shop or a dealer sells the piece, ask about their own checks. Their answer will not prove it is clear, but it shows how seriously they take the risk.

Protect your home as you move the item in

Do not carry furniture through the bedroom or put it against your bed. Move it straight to a spare room, garage or hall where you can look at it again. Keep it apart from your sleeping area for a while, and recheck seams in good light.

A cover can help with mattresses, since it removes many hiding places. A light-coloured cover also makes bugs easier to see, so check it for tears now and then.

Soft items such as cushion covers and throws may be washable. The NHS says to wash bedding and clothing at 60C and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes. For small items, it also suggests freezing them for two to three weeks.

Check each care label first, because heat and cold can damage some materials. Our guide to sofas and upholstery covers soft furnishings in more detail.

If you think you already bought bed bugs

Stay calm and do not throw things around the house. Start with what to do first, which explains how to confirm the problem. Next, read where bed bugs hide so you can inspect other furniture.

The NHS recommends professional pest control, because bed bugs can be hard to find and may resist some insecticides. Check your options with council pest control too. In some areas, such as council pest control in Bristol and Swansea, the council may offer a service. Our location pages say what each council states, for example bed bug help in Leeds.

What to do if the item is already in

Do not panic, and do not start spraying products around the room. First, isolate the piece by moving it away from your bed and sofa. Then check it again in good light, working slowly along every seam.

If you find live bugs, shed skins or dark spots, photograph them and keep a sample in a sealed container. This gives a professional something to identify. Meanwhile, avoid moving the item through the house, because that can spread any bugs it carries.

Other ways bed bugs move around

Furniture is only one route. Flats share walls, so see our page on bed bugs in flats. Students often buy used items for halls, so we also cover student accommodation.

If you rent, the question of who pays can arise. Read landlord responsibilities before you act. Bed bugs also affect sleep, and our guide on sleep and anxiety offers support. Workplaces can buy second-hand desks and chairs too, so see bed bugs in workplaces.

Our bed bug help hub lists every situation we cover. If you want help finding a professional, use our request help form. We are an information and referral site, so we do not treat homes ourselves.