Wine, thrift stores, flea markets… How to avoid bed bugs when buying used clothes.

Can you think of a more popular topic than bed bugs right now? In recent weeks, these insects have been spotted everywhere, both in public and private spaces. Cinemas, hospitals, public transport, apartments… Today, nothing seems to stop these animals, which are starting to seriously invade our daily lives and press headlines. According to a press release from the Society for Disinfection, Disinfection and Rodent Control, professional interventions are actually up 65% this summer compared to the summer of 2022. The July 2022 Ipsos survey has already announced that in 2017-2022 Bed bugs are said to have infested 11% of French households.

Faced with this observation, it is legitimate to ask questions about ways to reorganize our habits in order to avoid welcoming these insects into our homes. Starting with our consumption of used clothing. There’s no need to give up on the grape harvest, but it doesn’t hurt to take precautions. Especially if you want to focus everything on maximum protection against unwanted bites and itches… And the considerable budget that disinfection often requires.

After purchasing or receiving the package, go through the laundry

Whether at a flea market, thrift store, or on a second-hand app like Vinted, nothing is 100% sure that the garment or accessory in question is free of bedbugs. Therefore, the goal is not to waste time; after receiving it we go to the laundromat and run the machine at a minimum temperature of 60°C before going through a spin or two in the dryer. Extreme temperatures, low or high, are very effective in combating these undesirable phenomena. It’s good to know that you don’t always notice bedbugs with the naked eye, because the size of the eggs is no more than 1 mm.

According to the government website, for more delicate materials such as cashmere, silk or wool, go to the freezer for 72 hours.

Avoid cluttered spaces

Remember that bedbugs like cozy places, shade and ambient temperature. This is why they are often found on mattresses (hence the name), under carpets, in cracks in hardwood floors, sofas and closets. To avoid an invasion, it’s best to reorganize your closet or any other place where you tend to accumulate textiles. The more the areas are ventilated, the less insects can accumulate.

Have good reflexes

To minimize the chances of welcoming these pests into your home, it is important to have good reflexes. Consider, for example, this technique.

• Do not place used clothing on the floor, sofa, bed or under the bed before washing and/or examining them.
• Throw away the plastic or cardboard packaging immediately after receiving the package.
• If in doubt, give clothes a good shake outside before bringing them into your home. Before or after washing.

Take advantage of resale professionals

It is better to be selective. it is preferable to prefer second-hand specialists to individuals, especially in resale applications. On Vinted, for example, focus instead on products recommended by accounts with positive reviews. Please note: nothing can guarantee that the garment will not become infected after it is received. However, an account with many positive reviews will often be more alert than an account with negative or few reviews. Whatever the case, the best advice is to reassure yourself before buying from a seller. Among other things, find out if the latter has recently had to deal with the bed.