She Thought She Made a Smart Choice, But Bed Bugs Invaded Her Apartment!

Melanie was living a peaceful life in Paris with her daughter, whom she shares custody of with the father, alternating weeks. As her daughter neared her tenth birthday, Melanie thought it was high time to purchase a larger apartment in the suburbs. “My daughter is almost 10 years old; I decided to move to the suburbs to buy an apartment and start fresh. She will finally have a large room with a desk, more space, and even a small outdoor area,” expressed Melanie, aged 35. However, the nightmare began when she moved. Little did she know that she would unwittingly bring bed bugs into her new home, having never encountered them before.

The infestation began when Melanie decided to save some money. She deeply regrets her decisions now, but it’s too late. What she thought was a cost-saving move turned into massive expenses to get rid of the pests that also deprived her of sleep… “I used Le Bon Coin to save a few bucks to organize my move,” she shared. Her mistake? Purchasing used moving boxes from an individual. These boxes, having been used in other apartments, lingered on floors before making it to her home and her new place.

It was a tough mistake to fix, but one that could happen to anyone. On average, a set of twenty boxes costs about 40 euros in specialty stores like Leroy Merlin. And usually, when hiring professional movers, any savings are welcome. However, these saved euros ended up costing her much more in the effort to eradicate the pests.

This unfortunate story is one she felt compelled to share so that other families don’t make the same mistake. To protect against bed bugs during a move, it’s better to use new boxes or ones only obtained from reliable sources (supermarkets, local businesses, trusted acquaintances). It is highly advised against purchasing used boxes from individuals on platforms like Le Bon Coin, especially if you cannot verify how they were stored. Another simple precaution: thoroughly inspect all containers before bringing them into your home, particularly if they have been placed on the ground or stored in high-traffic areas. Lastly, for those opting to move by themselves, consider protecting furniture and mattresses with waterproof covers to prevent any cross-contamination.