Off topic somewhat but there was a news story of a library that lost a ton of books because someone return a book infested with bed bug eggs. Went on the shelf and spread throughout the library.

Can't they set up an offsite hotbox to get rid of the bedbugs before it gets onsite? Surely someone could set up a mobile truck that can come, park, and heat up 15 mattresses for the few hours it takes to kill or drive off the bedbugs, no?

Is setting this up worthwhile for a general charity? Would it be better for them than say, working out an overstock donation?

Do you really thing a charity can afford that? And mattress companies have exactly zero incentive to fund this.

> Can't they set up an offsite hotbox to get rid of the bedbugs before it gets onsite? I am not sure if you are serious or not, maybe you think charities have huge amounts of money to throw at all problems like Google does?

One simple option is to immediately insert the mattress into a bed bug cover upon pickup.

Bug covers for mattresses need to be of the right type and installed properly. Doing it upon pick up only increases the risk of damaging the cover and ruining any utility it has. They're not designed for durability and it takes only a pinhole puncture to ruin the entire cover.

If perfection is the concern, don't forget that bed bugs can hitch a ride on anything from an infected house, from books to nightstands.

Can you ensure that this process is followed fully and correctly all of the time?

Wouldn't this apply to any bedding, or even clothing?

Depends. Clothing you can wash. In my state, outdoor outfitters aren't allowed to sell used sleeping bags because of hygiene concerns.

David Sedaris has told a story about catching crabs from thrift store pants.

Buddy of mine tried telling his wife the same story, but she didn't buy it.