Just found a free solid wood desk on the curb near the park on Elm Street

I was walking my dog last night around 7pm and spotted this big old desk sitting out with a "free" sign taped to it. It's real wood, not that particle board stuff. I had to call my brother to help me load it into his truck because it weighs a ton. Now I'm wondering - what's the best way to check for bed bugs or other creepy crawlies before I bring it inside? Anyone else pick up curb furniture and regret not checking first?

2 comments

2 Comments

kelly_hart2820d ago

Wait, you mean you didn't immediately douse it in lighter fluid and torch it in the yard? That's the only way I'd trust curb furniture, lol. Honestly just look for little black specks or rusty colored stains near the joints and corners, check inside any drawers and under the lip of the desktop. Also give it a good sniff, musty smell is a dead giveaway. Pro tip: if you find a single dead roach, just walk away, it's cursed. Been there, done that with a nightstand that had a whole ant colony living in the bottom drawer.

singh.blair20d ago

Yeah, @kelly_hart28 pretty much nailed it with that checklist. I had a similar find once and skipped the sniff test, ended up with a desk that smelled like old basement for weeks. Honestly, if the wood feels damp or has any soft spots, just pass on it, not worth the headache.