Buying second-hand is a great way to get the things you need at a cheaper price. Unfortunately, doing this can have downsides. For example, did you know that used electronics often come with bed bugs? This may sound far-fetched and hard to believe, but it’s true. We all know that these insects spread in public places, but it is not so well known that they hide inside technical equipment. With that in mind, here are a few things you should know about this issue.

Why electronic items can come with bed bugs

What most people don’t understand is that bed bugs are extremely small. Many people think of them as these enormous insects. In reality, adult insects are only about the size of an apple seed. These pests also have a flat, thin shape.

They’ve evolved this way in order to fit into cracks and crevices. Their shape also allows them to hide beneath bed side lamps. They infest household items. Even more disturbingly, they can crawl into things like electronics. This is why second-hand electronics can often have bed bugs when you buy them.

But what can you do about this? First of all, be aware of the problem. If you’re buying a used item, bear in mind that it may come with bed bugs. Second, understand that this is a delicate situation. Electronic devices are extremely sensitive. You cannot use the standard methods for getting rid of these bugs.

What can you do to purge the items of these insects?

You cannot treat your electronics devices with heat, or place them in a freezer, or even use conventional bug spray. You can’t use bleach or alcohol to kill bed bugs inside equipment. The component parts of your electronics are far too delicate for the usual methods used for furniture and bedding. What you need to do is get professional bed bug control to help.

There are products out there that claim to get rid of bed bugs trapped inside electrical devices, such as chemical bed bug strips, but these should be used with extreme caution as they contain very strong insecticide. Calling in an expert is far safer as an option to anything you might try on your own.

We have tried and tested methods for getting rid of bed bugs from electrical items and other sensitive equipment like computers. Give Diamond Pest Control a call or send us a message to receive custom advice tailored to your situation. Don’t risk losing computer or other electronic data, or risk compromising your health.