bed bugs

Before you accept furniture donations make sure it is sanitized or can be sanitized. Free is not always a bargain.

• Anything removed from the room should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and treated.
  • Items that cannot be treated should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and left for an extended period of time to ensure any active bugs are dead (research shows variation in the length of time needed, but it can be as long as a year).
• Empty the vacuum after each use.
  • Seal the bag and throw it out in an outdoor trash container.
• Don't discard furniture if you can eliminate the bed bugs from it.
• If furniture cannot be salvaged, discard it responsibly. Destroy it so someone else won't be tempted to bring it into their home. For example:
  • Rip covers and remove stuffing from furniture items.
  • Use spray paint to mark furniture with "Bed Bugs." 
• Take steps to have infested items picked up as soon as possible by the trash collection agency.