The Choosy Beggar

Bed bugs — Their name alone sends shivers down our spine. We can’t speak from personal experience (praise the Lord!), but a home and wardrobe infestation is a horror we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy, let alone our dear readers. As such, it’s a tad disconcerting that NYC retailers are reportedly refusing to face what is clearly a real issue. If you hadn’t heard, there’ve been at least three confirmed reports of store infestations in recent weeks. Yet, as WWD reports, “The prevailing industry response is ostrichlike, heads in the sand … Appalling.” We have no interest in causing alarm, or discouraging anyone from taking advantage of summer sales. Like WWD, however, we would like some assurance from the retail community and its governing bodies that they’re tackling this problem head on. In the meantime, how can you avoid taking home the unwanted invaders? Before letting any new clothes into your dwelling, simply drop them off at your local dry cleaner or laundromat. Ten minutes in any dryer should do the trick.