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Thrift shops and garage sales are the best! You never know what you'll find!

Tweety Bird excitedly finding a gem in a cave.

But guess what could be lurking amongst those treasures?

Yup, bedbugs! Eeewww!

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Aren't Bedbugs Just Part Of A Quaint Bedtime Rhyme?

You've heard the phrase, "Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite," but is that a real thing? YES, it is! 🥺

Angry Wife Meme- 'What did you bring home?' 'Bedbugs...sorry!'

Facts about bedbugs

  • Small, oval, brownish insects

  • Live on the blood of mammals

  • About the size of an apple seed

  • Cause itchy spots or welts in some (but not all) people

Flaticon IconBedbugs come out at night and like to hide in bedrooms so they can bite people...kind of like miniature vampires.

Where They Lurk

The most common secondhand items that could house bedbugs are:

  • Upholstered furniture

  • Mattresses/bedding

  • Stuffed animals

  • Books

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But they can really be found in anything 😭😭😭

Did you know?

According to WebMD, bedbugs are not a sign of a dirty item or household. They can be found in clean environments.

Take These Steps When Purchasing Used Goods

Stay Safe Season 3 GIF by American Gods

Examine clothing by turning it inside out and checking seams .

Consider avoiding upholstered items and bedding!

Use a flashlight and check all crevices.

Wash, then dry items on high heat as soon as you get home.

Place items in your bathtub. The bugs will crawl out and get stuck in the tub where they'll be easier to spot.

Quiz

Tanya loves thrifting, but wants to avoid getting bed bugs! What should she do?

Worst Case Scenario

If you actually get bedbugs (or suspect you have them), the best thing to do is call an exterminator.

Ghostbusters shooting their lasers

Cheer up, it's not all bad news! Some exterminators use dogs to detect bedbugs. Their tails perk up when they smell them!

Lady and the Tramp dogs waggin their tails

Take Action

Execute your bedbug avoidance plan today!

Enjoy your treasures!

'I'm just that good at thrift shopping GIF- happy shopper.

License:

This Byte has been authored by

MD

Mary Ellen D'Intino

Learning Designer | Licensed Social Worker

M.Ed., LSW

English

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