apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have a question. My husband moved to NYC last month for a job and we're struggling to find furniture because we read that bed bugs can burrow in cracks in wood. Can anyone in the city speak to this truth? In LA, it's not an issue, so I'm not sure where to draw the line with used things.

Yes, this is true. My apartment got INFESTED with bedbugs because my roommate picked up a bedside table that someone had put out for the trash. That was 5 years ago and now I buy things off Craigslist again. Make sure you ask the person if they've EVER had problems with bedbugs or have any bites (do this via email so you have a written record of their response--people are less likely to lie). And then, when you pick up the piece, give it a good search. Usually there will be tiny black spots near the joints of the furniture where they hide (those black spots are their feces). If the piece of furniture was never in a bedroom, there is a very low chance that it would have bedbugs (unless the apartment has a HORRIBLE infestation).

oh jesus... i thought if i just avoided anything upholstered, I would be okay...

now i have to avoid wood too???

whats a person on a budget to do?

I've bought many things from CL and I've never had a problem. I've probably been lucky, it never occurred to me to ask. That's one of my biggest fears, though, ugh they're so gross.

Man, i can't even imagine what kind of person would sell you something with bed bugs.

i am so sorry to send you guys in a panic! it's good to know there are ways to see if the piece is infested, now let's see if my husband will let me bring things back to his place. at the very least i can get glassware and such on the cheap. in the end, i'll be living in la where i can continue my thrift store trolling and make up for any cb2 couches he'll be buying.