A primary care physician in Virginia took to TikTok to share a travel tip involving creepy crawlies that might make you rethink unpacking your bags right away.
The video sent by Dr. Jason Singh of Loudoun County, Virginia, has garnered more than 750,000 views after sharing a PSA about bed bugs and your luggage.
“That’s why you shouldn’t unpack your suitcase right after you come back from vacation,” Singh said on TikTok. “Okay, you hear me, especially when you’re staying in a hotel. And that’s because of the bugs.”
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“Bug eggs usually hatch within six to 10 days, and nymphs need a blood meal shortly after hatching to continue growing,” he added.
Singh said he decided to post the video after realizing that not many travelers are knowledgeable about bug exposure.
Dr. Jason Singh shared his PSA on the importance of not unpacking your suitcases immediately after getting home from a trip. (Dr. Jason Singh/@drjaysonisfresh)
It was one of his patient’s circumstances that made him realize that this bed bug infestation was worth teaching others about.
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“[I was] you were just struck by how persistent and stressful their reaction to the bugs was, even weeks after their trip. It made me realize that many travelers may not be aware of the long-term effects of exposure to bedbugs,” Singh told Fox News Digital via email.
You may be more likely to get bedbugs if you put your clothes in a hotel room and you may be at risk of getting some of your clothes at home if you unpack too soon after returning from vacation, according to Singh, a doctor in Virginia. (Stock)
He realized he needed to fill a gap in “public knowledge about effective prevention strategies.”
On TikTok, Singh went on to explain why bugs need to stay full and exposed to the face.
“Now, if your suitcase stays closed and undisturbed for at least two weeks, any bug egg or nymph that’s there will probably die of starvation or exhaustion, so now you have a reason to be lazy, like me,” he said. in his video.
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“And your suitcase is just hanging over there. I mean, let’s be honest. What kind of mind takes it off so quickly? Let me know.”
Board-certified entomologist Eric Braun suggests throwing all clothes in the dryer first to kill the bed bugs’ life stages due to the high heat. (Stock)
The comment section of Singh’s TikTok video was filled with comments from other social media users about their posting habits.
“I unpack and throw everything in the washer as soon as I get home. I need all my things with me,” wrote one user.
“Who has an extra two weeks of clothes they don’t need when they come back from vacation! Even if I’m just a downer and only have a week or two of clothes already,” commented another.
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Eric Braun, a board-certified entomologist in Reading, Pennsylvania, shares his thoughts on bed bug prevention and what to do if you spot one in your luggage.
A board-based entomologist in Pennsylvania suggests tossing your clothes in the dryer on high heat. (Stock)
“If the problem of bedbugs is a serious concern for the traveler, another useful tip is not to keep personal items and clothes inside the hotel drawers, on the floor, or near the hotel furniture. When I travel, I put my suitcase in the bathroom, especially the shower/bathtub, as it may be difficult for the bedbugs to reach in those areas,” Braun told Fox News Digital via email.
Braun advised travelers not to bring a suitcase that is thought to be crowded into a residence, but instead store it outside the home before putting clothes in a garbage bag and immediately going to the laundry room.
“Remember that, at the right temperature, bed bugs can live for several months without being fed, so don’t assume that suitcases that haven’t been used in a few months are bug-free,” Braun said.
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“If suitcases must be stored in living areas, such as under beds, put them in garbage bags first, then seal the bag with tape. The suitcases can be used with over-the-counter products labeled as an application,” he added.
Experts recommend immediately removing your clothes from your luggage and placing them in the dryer. (Stock)
What to do if you bring bed bugs home from vacation
Braun shared some tips and steps to take if you believe you’ve found bedbugs in your luggage.
“If bed bugs are spotted, there are some quick steps a traveler should take to prevent further spread. Anything that can be washed can be immediately put in the dryer at a high temperature,” Braun said.
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“Put your quick-wash items in the dryer before washing them. High heat (at least 1,300 F+) can kill bed bugs and their eggs.”
Braun said if you have clothes that can’t be thrown in the dryer immediately, you should put the clothing in a sealed bag or container and place it outside of your home and away from any possible entry points.
A Virginia doctor has taken to social media to talk about bed bugs and what you need to do with your luggage to avoid infestations. (iStock; Dr. Jason Singh/@drjaysonisfresh)
Ben Hottel, Georgia-based technical service manager at Orkin, shared some insights on how to best manage your luggage when it’s infested with bugs.
The Hotel agreed with Braun, saying that it is better to quickly unpack your bag outside the home and throw your clothes in the dryer on the highest setting for at least 30-45 minutes.
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“Newly hatched bedbugs can live up to a month without a blood meal. Older bedbugs that may be in a suitcase can live for a long time – maybe up to a year … It’s better to wash it quickly as the high temperature works in the same way as heat treatment,” Hotel told Fox News. Digital.
Hotel said people should call a pest control company if they believe there are bugs in their homes.
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