Bed bugs?

[AC7179]

We are in the process of moving my grandmother's furniture into my daughter's bedroom. My grandmother died in 2001, and her furniture was all beautiful. We had been using the chest and dresser, but her bed was a full so it had been in the garage. Well, we got a new bedroom suite and are giving my daughter my grandmother's. The matresses were in good condition at the time of my grandmother's death, but have been in the garage for years. Is there a chance "bed bugs" could have settled in, and if so, what should we do to get them out?

 

[salmoneous]

My understanding - there is no foolproof way to detect bed bugs. Your best bet is to spread glue traps around where the furniture is being stored for a few days and see what sticks.

Anytime you bring a used mattress into your house, you are taking a chance. It's a small one, but with nasty consequences. If you get them in your house, you've got a year long expensive battle on your hands to get rid of them.

 

[dbarker]

I would contact a mattress store about cleaning it. I know it can be done, I just don't know how or anything.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

I would get new matresses.

 

[Amlee]

I just did something similar and got a mattress that my cousin had bought, but her husband didn't like. They stored it in the shed for a couple of months. Just to be on the safe side. I put the mattress out on my patio for a few days in the sun to let it freshin up. I sprayed it with insect killer and let it air out for several days. I then Fabrezzed it and let it out one more day to air out.

The mattress turned out fine. I did put a mattress cover on it and a mattress pad. But it sure beat paying for one.

 

[C.Ann]

And aren't bed bugs supposed to have a very strong odor to them? That might be an indicator if the mattress is okay or not..

Maybe a google search would give you more info as to the conditions that must exist for bed bugs to become a problem..

 

[AC7179]

Thanks guys. Someone told me that bed bugs actually occur because the people sleeping in htem are dirty??? and that they wouldn't be likely found in a mattress not used for a couple of years?

Hmmm, it is still in the garage. We are debating cleaning it and airing it out in the sun or buying a new mattress. Thanks for all words of advice!

 

[mcnuss]

Thanks guys. Someone told me that bed bugs actually occur because the people sleeping in htem are dirty??? and that they wouldn't be likely found in a mattress not used for a couple of years?

Hmmm, it is still in the garage. We are debating cleaning it and airing it out in the sun or buying a new mattress. Thanks for all words of advice!

This might help you:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2105.html

I worry about them in hotels now. YucK!