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

A primary care doctor in Virginia has taken to TikTok to share a travel tip about creepy crawlers that might make you rethink your packing immediately.

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

“This is why you shouldn’t be unpacking right after you get home from vacation,” Singh said on TikTok. “Okay, so you hear me, especially if you’ve stayed in a hotel. And that’s because of the bed bugs.”

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“Bed bugs eggs usually hatch in six to 10 days, and the nymphs need a blood meal soon after hatching to continue their development,” he added.

Singh said he decided to post this video after realizing that not many travelers were knowledgeable about exposure to bed bugs.

Dr. Jason Singh has shared his own PSA about the importance of not unpacking immediately after arriving home from a trip. (Dr. Jason Singh/@drjaysonisfresh)

It was one of his patient’s cases that made him realize that this possible bed bug infestation was worth educating others about.

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“I was surprised by how persistent and distressing their reaction to bed bugs was, even weeks after returning from their trip. It made me realize that many travelers may not be aware of the potential long-term consequences of exposure to bedbugs,” Singh said. Fox News Digital by email.

You’re more likely to get bed bugs if you put your clothes in a hotel closet, and you could risk infesting the rest of your clothes at home if you unpack immediately after returning from vacation, according to Singh, a doctor in Virginia. (iStock)

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

On TikTok, Singh went on to describe the reason bed bugs need to stay away and face exposure.

“Now, if your suitcase stays closed and undisturbed for at least two weeks, well, any bed bug eggs or nymphs present will probably die from starvation or desiccation, so now you have a reason to be lazy, just like me “, he said. in your video.

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“And leave your suitcase hanging over there. I mean, let’s face it. What kind of psycho unpacks immediately? Let me know.”

Eric Braun, Terminix’s board-certified entomologist, suggests tossing all clothes in the dryer first to kill the bedbug life stage due to the high heat. (iStock)

The comment section of Singh’s TikTok video was flooded with comments from other social media users about his unboxing habits.

“I unpack and throw everything in the washing machine as soon as I get home. I need all my travel stuff,” one user wrote.

“Who has two more weeks of clothes they don’t need when they come back from vacation! Or I’m a farmer and only have a week or two of clothes in total,” commented another.

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

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

“If a bed bug problem is a major concern for the traveler, another helpful tip is to not store personal items and clothing in hotel drawers, on the floor, or near hotel furniture. While traveling, I put my suitcase in the bathroom, specifically the shower/tub, as it can be difficult for bed bugs to access those areas,” Braun told Fox News Digital via email.

Braun advised travelers not to bring an allegedly infested suitcase into a living space, but to keep it outside the home before placing the clothing in a garbage bag and immediately to a laundromat.

“Remember that, at the right temperatures, bed bugs can live for several months without feeding, so don’t assume that suitcases that haven’t been used in a few months are bed bug-free,” Braun said.

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“If suitcases are to be stored in living spaces, such as under beds, put them in garbage bags first and seal the bag with tape. Suitcases can be treated with over-the-counter products labeled for to this app,” he added.

Experts recommend taking your clothes out of your luggage immediately and putting them in a dryer. (iStock)

What to do if you bring bed bugs home on vacation

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

“If a bed bug is spotted, there are some immediate actions the traveler should take to prevent further spread. Anything that can be washed can be immediately placed in the dryer at a high temperature,” Braun said.

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“Put washable personal belongings immediately in the dryer before washing them. High heat (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) can kill bed bugs and their eggs.”

Braun said if you have clothes that can’t be thrown in the dryer right away, you should place them in a closed bag or container and place them outside of your home and away from any possible point of contact. entrance

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

Ben Hottel, a Georgia-based technical services manager at Orkin, shared some ideas on how best to treat your luggage if it’s infested with bed bugs.

Hottel agreed with Braun, stating that it’s best to immediately unpack the bag outside the house and throw the clothes in the dryer on the highest setting for a minimum of 30-45 minutes.

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“Newly hatched nymphs can live up to a month without eating blood. Older bed bugs that may also be in your suitcase can live much longer, perhaps even a year… It’s best to wash clothes immediately, as the high temperature acts as a heat treatment,” Hottel told Fox News Digital.

Hottel said people should call a pest control company if they think there is a bed bug infestation in their home.