I believe this was in regards to fabric purchased at secondhand/thrift stores as there has been problems with bedbugs showing up in those shops.

No, not always. Joann's bolts, for instance, are shipped in boxes, unwrapped

BED BUGS are everywhere. It is a good idea to put any fabric you bring home in a hot dryer, no matter where you bought it.

I have watched a documentary on these pesty creatures, they can live up to a year with out blood. They like dark places, theaters, mattress, and more. Don't set your purse or luggage down on a soft surface unless you know it is safe. They are tough to get rid of also. If in a hotel, put your luggage in the bathroom on the floor until you inspect the bedding. The show I watched showed a bed bug the size of an apple seed, so you can see them. Yuck.

any suggestion for those who don't have a drier. A lot of us over here don't have houses big enough to accommodate one.. no garage or outhouse either.

Heat is the best solution. You can put your fabric in the microwave! DD works for a City councilman and has attended
press briefings. If you live near a place w infestations (Columbus , Ohio, etc.) keep your new fabric tied up in a plastic bag until you can wash it. Ick!

I never thought of the microwave! I bought a beautiful dress at GW, that couldnt be washed, so I stuck it in the deep freeze for a month. Nothing is gonna live throught that!

I don't know if I'd want to put something that possibly has bugs on it in my microwave.

Also the freezer may not kill them. Think of all the insects up here in the North that 'come back' after the winter - they've adapted to freezing temps.

Rachel Ray had an "expert" on to do a presentation. He showed how the little buggers were in the creases of boxes that are delivered to you. A lot of apparel shops in New York have had to close downt to "debug" lately, and these are name brand stores. He suggested not even taking the boxes into the house. Put the contents into the washer/dryer as soon as you receive them. He showed how they live in the creases of chairs/furniture in hotel lobbies and if carried by someone/something, can be in any upholstered chairs anywhere.

Very scary information, but we can definitely be aware. Was at a podiatrists office the other day and there were upholstered chairs and I was afraid to sit on them without inspecting them. LOL

You might be able to go to Rachel Ray's website and look in archives for the video, she usually keeps them for viewing.

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/sitese...query=bed+bugs