Not only street finds, but Craigslist finds as well. With all this bedbug nonsense, I'm avoiding all used "cushion"-type furniture, and if I take a look at something I'll inspect it heavily in the crevices and cracks.

I've always avoided upholstered furniture, so it hasn't changed my habits.

My younger sister lives in Chicago. She is frightened of visiting me because of several bed bug horror stories she's heard from friends. (Interestingly, I don’t know anyone personally that suffered an invasion.) I avoid upholstered furniture. I opt for pieces with removable cushions which I immediately replace. I either toss the slipcovers or clean them thoroughly with extremely hot water and ammonia.

ditto, Sparkly. dogs urinate on everything that's on the curb.

It's made me much more wary of thrift store stuff too, but that's partly due to clothes moths ... I think that's probably how I got them.

The bedbug thing is making me very wary of all used upholstered furniture, not just street finds.

From a news story today in Vancouver: the bedbugs here aren't being spread by used furniture, but rather by, um, I can't think of the appropriate euphemism....renting hotels by the hour?

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/06/27/bc-bedbugs.html

It's made me wary of picking up anyONE off the street, too.

I'm going to NYC next week and am now quite aware of the potential bed bug problem! I asked my host very delicately if I should be concerned since the word was that it had been a problem in her home within the last year. Turns out she had to get rid of everything and buy new furniture! Should I consider the problem resolved or take any precautions against a potential infestation?

Leslie, how long has she been bed bug free? (If she reacted to bites, and has had none for a while, say 6 months, I would feel safe-ish).

Now, I'm wary of street stuff, but like k2 said all secondhand stuff is suspect. Much of the stuff in secondhand shops and flea markets comes from the street--many people make a living picking stuff up, cleaning it up and selling it. (And no, "cleaning" does not render it bed bug-free.)

If you start paying attention, you will see a lot of cast-off stuff. I see office chairs everywhere I go, on the curb. If an office chair (or mattress) "looks clean", something is wrong. Have you noticed that no one replaces a not-very-old mattress or decent, intact desk chair? If you see one on the curb, don't be tempted!

They're often infested--because you sit at them for hours (ahem) and the bed bugs will be attracted there as to a sofa or bed.

I saw some furniture wrapped in plastic one night on the street. It was marked 'bedbugs'. I steered clear of it, but felt reassured that there are some responsible people out there....

Re: Sea's post

I wish more people did that, Some people can't resist a good find and would see a chair and jump on it. Everyone should think more than twice, and if there's a perfectly good desk, dresser, table, chair etc on the street, there's probably a reason for it.

Years ago I lived in a building that had a mice infestation. Not being familair with them, I was the very last person to notice the signs. I havent gotten a good nights sleep since.

Now Im reading all these bedbugs stories and thinking sleep is overrated.

I have nothing to contribute to the bedbug conversation but that's a great print.