Bed Bug Treatment for an Infested Chair

by Veronica Bentley
(Winter Haven, Fl USA)

I brought a lovely recliner chair from a decent neighborhood. The first evening, while relaxing in white dressing gown, noticed movement of "brown rice size bits"... then felt a couple of bites, I sprayed with flea spray the only spray available.

Brought some bed bug spray, and did a good job on all cracks folds etc.... place white sheet over chair.... cat slept on top of sheet, she got biten...... I sprayed again, twice the next day, and once again a white sheet is time, tiny pieces, looked like sand... when I checked they were blood dots.

I sprayed again, and now am so frustrated. I cannot return to seller, they have sold and moved. I would not think this area to be bed bug land.
what can I do.....toss out chair, it is away from all other furniture.

Response to Your Question Regarding a Bed Bug Infested Chair

I understand how frustrating and stressful this situation is. Bringing home furniture with a hidden bed bug issue is unfortunately more common than people realize since trucks that often deliver furniture are often used to take away old infested furniture or mattresses.
Here are some thoughts and steps you can take.

Is It Bed Bugs?

From your description, it sounds highly likely that the chair is infested with bed bugs. Here’s why:

• The "brown rice-sized bits" you noticed are consistent with bed bugs, which are small, flat, and reddish-brown.


• The "tiny pieces" like sand with blood dots are likely bed bug droppings and the remains of crushed bugs after feeding.


• Both your bites and your cat’s bites (bed bugs are less likely to feed on pets) further confirm this suspicion.

What Should You Do?

While you’ve been diligent with spraying and cleaning, sprays alone often aren’t enough to eliminate bed bugs completely, especially in an upholstered piece of furniture like a recliner. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Consider Disposing of the Chair: Since the infestation seems severe, the most effective solution is to discard the chair to prevent the bed bugs from spreading further. Wrap it tightly in plastic to contain the bugs before disposal and label it as infested so others don’t pick it up.


2. If You Want to Keep the Chair: You’ll need to treat it thoroughly using a combination of methods:
   
   
   
   • Use a bed bug steamer to apply high heat to all cracks, seams, and folds of the recliner. Bed bugs and their eggs die at temperatures above 120°F.
   
   
   • Apply a bed bug-specific spray designed to leave a residual effect, focusing on hidden areas and crevices.
   
   
   • Encase the chair in a tightly sealed bed bug-proof cover to trap and starve any remaining bugs. Leave the cover on for at least a year to ensure all bed bugs are dead.
   
   
   
   


3. Inspect Surrounding Areas: Even though the chair is away from other furniture, bed bugs can travel. Check your other furniture, bedding, and baseboards for signs of bugs, droppings, or eggs.

Preventing Future Issues

When buying secondhand furniture, always inspect it thoroughly before bringing it inside. Look for live bugs, dark spots (droppings), or shed skins, particularly in cracks and seams. Using a bed bug steamer as a precaution before use is also a good idea.

Key Takeaway

If the chair is heavily infested, it’s often more practical to dispose of it safely rather than risk the infestation spreading to other parts of your home. If you’re determined to save the chair, you’ll need to combine heat, chemical, and sealing methods to eliminate the bugs completely. Let me know how it goes or if you have more questions—I’m here to help!

Best regards,
Jeff
Editor and Publisher
Bed Bugs Handbook