Why This Virginia Doctor Says You Should Wait to Unpack After Your Trip

A primary care doctor in Virginia shared advice on TikTok about creepy scanners that might make you immediately rethink unpacking your bags.

A video posted by Dr. Jason Singh of Loudoun County, Virginia, received more than 750,000 views after he shared a PSA about bed bugs and your luggage.

“This is why you shouldn’t unpack your suitcase immediately after returning home from vacation,” Singh said on TikTok. “Okay, you listened to me, especially if you are staying at a hotel. And this is because of bedbugs.”

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“Bed bug eggs typically hatch within six to 10 days, and nymphs require a blood meal soon after hatching to continue their development,” he added.

Dr. Jason Singh shared his views on the importance of not unpacking your bags immediately after returning home from a trip. (Dr. Jason Singh/@drjaysonisfresh)

Singh said he decided to post the video after realizing that not many travelers are aware of the impact of bed bugs.

It was one of his patient’s experiences that made him realize that a possible bed bug infestation was worth telling others about.

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“(I was) absolutely amazed at how persistent and alarming their response to bed bugs was, even weeks after returning from their trip. This made me realize that many travelers may not realize the potential long-term effects of bed bug exposure,” Singh told Fox News Digital via email.

You may be more likely to get bed bugs if you put your clothes in a hotel closet, and you risk infecting the rest of your clothes at home if you immediately unpack them after returning from vacation, says Singh, the Virginia doctor. (iStock)

He realized he needed to fill a gap “in public knowledge about effective prevention strategies.”

On TikTok, Singh went on to describe the reasons why bed bugs should be left alone and at risk.

“Now, if your suitcase remains closed and untouched for at least two weeks, well, any bug egg or nymph will most likely die due to starvation or desiccation, so now you have a reason to be lazy, just like me “, he said. in his video.

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“And let your suitcase just hang there, to the side. I mean, let’s be honest. What kind of crazy person unpacks his things right away? Let me know.”

Certified entomologist Eric Brown suggests throwing all clothes in the dryer first to kill bed bugs in their life stage due to the heat. (iStock)

The comments section of Singh’s TikTok video was filled with other social media users sharing their unpacking habits.

“I unpack my clothes and throw them in the washing machine as soon as I get home. I need all my things that I travel with,” one user wrote.

“Who has two extra weeks of clothes they won’t need when they get back from holiday! Or I’m just a peasant and only have enough clothes for a week or two,” another person commented.

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Eric Brown, a board-certified entomologist in Reading, Pennsylvania, shared his thoughts on bed bug prevention and what to do if you notice one in your luggage.

A board-certified Pennsylvania entomologist advises throwing clothes in the dryer on the hottest setting. (iStock)

“If bed bugs are a major concern for a traveler, another helpful tip is to avoid storing personal items and clothing in hotel drawers, on the floor, or near hotel furniture. When traveling, I place my suitcase in the bathroom, especially the shower/tub, as these areas can be difficult for bed bugs to access,” Brown told Fox News Digital via email.

Brown advised travelers to take suspected contaminated suitcases outside the home rather than into the accommodation before putting the clothes in a trash bag and immediately taking them to the laundromat.

“Remember that at the right temperature, bedbugs can live for months without eating, so don’t assume that suitcases that haven’t been used for several months are bedbug-free,” Brown said.

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“If suitcases need to be stored in living areas, such as under beds, place them in trash bags first and seal the bag with tape. Suitcases can be treated with over-the-counter products labeled for this application,” he added.

Experts recommend immediately removing clothes from your luggage and placing them in the dryer. (iStock)

What to do if you bring bedbugs home from vacation

Brown shared tips and steps to take if you think you’ve found bedbugs in your luggage.

“If a bed bug is discovered, a traveler should take some immediate steps to avoid further spread. Anything that can be washed can be put in the dryer on high heat immediately,” Brown said.

“Before washing, place personal items that can be washed immediately in the dryer. High temperatures (at least 1,300 F+) can kill bed bugs and their eggs.”

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Brown said if you have clothes that can’t be thrown into the dryer right away, you should place them in a closed bag or sealed container and place them outside the home and away from any possible points of entry.

A Virginia doctor took to social media to talk about bed bugs and what to do with your luggage to avoid infestation. (iStock | Dr. Jason Singh/@drjaysonisfresh)

Ben Hottel, technical services manager for Georgia-based Orkin, shared some tips on how best to handle your luggage if it’s infested with bed bugs.

Hottel agreed with Brown, saying it’s best to immediately unpack your bag outside the home and throw your clothes in the dryer on the highest spot for at least 30 to 45 minutes.

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“Newly hatched nymphs can survive for up to a month without bleeding. Older bed bugs, which may also be in the suitcase, can live much longer—perhaps even up to a year…it’s best to wash them right away, as the heat is a heat treatment,” Hottel told Fox News Digital.

Hottel advised people to call a pest control company if they think they have bed bugs in their home.