A family doctor in Virginia took to TikTok to share a travel tip about a creepy crawler that might soon make you think twice about unpacking your luggage.
A video posted by Dr. Jason Shinn of Loudoun County, Virginia, received more than 750,000 views after he shared a PSA about bed bugs and luggage.
“Here's why you shouldn't open your suitcase right after coming back from vacation,” Singh said on TikTok. “Okay, listen to me, especially if you stayed in a hotel. It's because of the bed bugs.”
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“Bed bug eggs usually hatch within six to 10 days, but the larvae require a blood meal immediately after hatching to continue growing,” he added.
Dr. Jason Shin shares his PSA about the importance of not unpacking your suitcase immediately after returning home from a trip. (Dr. Jason Shin/@drjaysonisfresh)
Singh said she decided to post the video after realizing that not many travelers were knowledgeable about exposure to bed bugs.
It was one of his patient cases that made him realize that it was worth educating others about the potential for bed bug infestations.
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”[I was] I was shocked at how persistent and painful their bed bug reactions were, even weeks after returning from their trip. “We realized that many travelers may not be aware of the potential long-term effects of bed bug exposure,” Singh told FOX News Digital via email.
Dr. Singh, a Virginia doctor, says that if you keep your clothes in a hotel closet, you're more likely to get bed bugs, and if you unpack them immediately after returning from vacation, you risk infecting the rest of your clothes at home. . (St. Petersburg)
He recognized the need to fill gaps in “public knowledge about effective prevention strategies.”
Singh went on to explain on TikTok the reasoning behind why bed bugs need to be exposed in high densities.
“Now, if your suitcase is left closed and undisturbed for at least two weeks, bed bug eggs and nymphs are likely to die of starvation and desiccation. So, like me, you too I have a reason to be lazy,” he said. in his video.
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“Also, hang your suitcase to the side. I'll be honest with you. Is there anyone out there who unpacks it right away? Please tell me.”
Certified entomologist Eric Brown suggests putting all your clothes in the dryer first to kill the bed bug life stages due to the high heat. (St. Petersburg)
The comments section of Singh's TikTok video was filled with other social media users talking about her unpacking habits.
One user wrote, “As soon as I get home, I unpack and throw everything in the washing machine. I need everything I take with me on my trip.”
“Who comes back from vacation with two weeks of extra clothes they don't need? Or am I just a farmer who only has clothes for a total of one or two weeks?” another person commented.
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Eric Brown, a certified entomologist in Reading, Pennsylvania, shares his thoughts on bed bug prevention and what to do if you find one in your luggage.
A board-certified entomologist based in Pennsylvania suggests putting your clothes in the dryer at the highest temperature possible. (St. Petersburg)
“If bed bug problems are a significant concern for travelers, another helpful tip is to avoid storing personal items and clothing in hotel drawers, along the floor, or near hotel furniture while traveling. , I leave my suitcase in the bathroom, especially the shower/bath because it can be difficult for bed bugs to access those areas,” Brown told Fox News Digital in an email.
Brown advised travelers not to bring potentially contagious suitcases into living spaces, but to take them out of the house, put their clothes in garbage bags, and immediately put them in the laundry room.
“Keep in mind that bed bugs can survive for months without food if the temperature is right, so don't assume that a suitcase that hasn't been used for several months won't have bed bugs.” said Mr. Brown.
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“If you must store your suitcase in your living space, such as under your bed, first place it in a garbage bag and tape the bag closed. Suitcases should be stored in commercially available containers labeled for that purpose. It can be treated with products,” he added.
Experts recommend removing clothes from your luggage immediately and putting them in the dryer. (St. Petersburg)
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Brown shared tips and actions to take if you think you've found bed bugs in your luggage.
“If you spot bed bugs, there are several actions travelers should take immediately to avoid further infestation: Place washable items in the dryer on high heat immediately,” Brown said.
“Place ready-to-wash personal items in the dryer before washing. High heat (at least 1,300 F+) can kill bed bugs and their eggs.”
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Brown says if you have clothes that can't be thrown in the dryer right away, you should put them in a sealed bag or container and place them outside your home away from potential entry points. I said that there is.
A Virginia doctor took to social media to talk about bed bugs and how to handle your belongings to avoid them. (Image | Dr. Jason Shin/@drjaysonisfresh)
Ben Hottel, Technical Services Manager at Georgia-based Orkin, shared some insight on how best to handle your luggage if it's infested with bed bugs.
Hottel agreed with Brown, saying it's best to unpack bags immediately outside the home and toss clothes in the dryer on high for at least 30 to 45 minutes.
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“A newly hatched nymph can live up to a month without a blood meal. An older bed bug that might have been in the suitcase can live even longer, perhaps up to a year. “It's best to wash them immediately because high-temperature settings can have dangerous effects,” Hottel told FOX News Digital.
The hotel advised people to call a pest control company if they think they have bed bugs in their home.
