Bedbugs and Thrift Store Clothing

[cintinative]

I just heard on the radio that to avoid getting bedbugs, put the clothing in a sealed bag in your freezer three days then take it out still in the bag and thaw it, leave in bag for three (???? can't remember) days, then put clothes in dryer on high for an hour before washing and wearing to kill any bugs.

(Edited later based on recollection).

I have to say this kind of freaks me out. I normally only wash the clothes before my kids or I wear them. I have never worried about bedbugs. What about you? Do you freeze your clothes?

I am trying to figure out if I would even have room in my freezer. I usually go on 99 cent kids clothing day and buy a lot.

[dinade]

As someone who has dealt with this problem. I wouldn't do that. I would wash on hot and dry on high heat to get rid of bedbugs. Don't bring them in your house without washing them first. If you put them in the freezer they tend to go to sleep unless you plan on leaving it there for a long while. Heat kills them instantly.

[cintinative]

That reminds me, they did say to put them in the dryer on high after thawing to kill any remaining bugs, and then wash them.

But how am i supposed to know if you have them in the clothes or not before you bring them home?

[dinade]

there's no way to know. you can't visually see the eggs. wash and dry on high heat and you'll be fine.

[motherofmolly]

i watched a really yucky program on 'bud invasions" and a family had bed bugs. they spent tons and tons of money on sprays and companies to come in...in the end the only thing that worked was heating the house to 150 degrees. company came in and did this.

so, on that note, i would go to the laundry mat and toss the clothes in the dryer for two trips or so until you are satisfied.

after watching that program, i have had a concern about bedbugs. but i have yet to do this myself. but i dont think i will be buying a used couch to bring to my house.

[meggers]

What MoM-eeee said. ^ This new invasion of bedbugs is not worth a cheap couch or cheap linens to me. And I do love garage sales, but I just will not be buying anything unless it's metal or glass. I saw where they even get in the crevices of paneling & between cushions & frames of office chairs. <shudder> If I go on a trip, I think I'll put my mattress in the truck bed.

And while going to the laundry mat to wash first is a great idea, I shudder to think of how many others thought of it first. You might actually get them there. LOL!

[YouPdWhat]

This is one thing that really & I mean really gives me the creeps! I hate bugs & to think of them invading everything I own just makes me itchy! I don't do yard sales except for at the church but I am so leary of bed bugs that I may not even buy anything there & I always find some very very nice clothes there.

I have even heard that bed bugs are being found in stores. Don't remember where I heard it now but if I think of it I will post a link if available.

[meggers]

I don't think I'll be buying any linens or clothes from ebay either. At least if you can prove which store it came from, you might be able to bill them for the infestation.

I will refrain from putting up any bug gif pics, but only cause I already got my meanness out on Mama Stu for the day.

[CW&M Mom]

Have you all watched The Verminators? Seriously I have learned so much from that show. I never knew we had such a bed bug problem in this country.

I have a dryer that has a sanitizer button. It nukes the clothing for about 2.5 hours. I love that button!

[meggers]

"You will be sanitized!"

It does have a certain ring to it...