Buying a mattress, is it safe with the constant threat of bedbugs?

Question

It's time to buy some new beds for our kids. I'm worried though because of the bedbug scare. My mom, who lives in a different state just bought a new mattress and pillows, she and her husband are now suffering from bedbugs. They've had the exterminator treat their home twice so far, and tossed out the bedding, pillows, etc. and they still have them.

Beds aren't cheap, so I was looking to either buy them from Ikea or Big Lots. Would it be safe to buy from either of them? We would be transporting the beds home ourselves (tied to the top of our van) so there would be no chance of infection in a moving truck from the store.

But back to my question. How high of a risk are we running by trying to buy new mattress' at this time? Would my kids be better off sleeping on inflatable beds for now? I'm very worried. Or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

Answer 1

Surely bed bugs don't come in brand new,wrapped packaging. Vacuum the beds on a weekly basis and use mattress covers.............

Answer 2

The trouble with places like Big Lots is that they buy their stuff here and there, they don't have many regular suppliers that would meet ongoing quality measures. They buy from bankrupt companies etc.

You can get a great product or maybe not, it's a gamble.



I've purchased from Ikea and everything is new, clean and guaranteed. I don't have an Ikea matress so I can't speak to their comfort, but I'm positive they'll be bug free.

Answer 3

Are you living in NY where the risk of bed bugs remains high? When buying a mattress don't they usually come wrapped in a plastic cover? I would not purchase anything that was not wrapped in a plastic, just in case. Also, to be very thorough, i'd check your current bed and corners of your home for any signs of bed bugs. Good luck to you... those critters are nasty little things... Egh!

Answer 4

Bed bug's have become an endangered species since the advent of the

vacuum cleaner.

To keep bed bug's at bay,when you launder your sheet's do so at a high

temperature and take the time to vacuum both side's of your matress while

it is clear of the sheet's.

Vacuuming the carpet and pillow's would also be a good idea.

Answer 5

fumigate the mattress and pillows before you bring them into your house.