After returning from a vacation, you might have a good reason to delay unpacking your suitcase. Dr. Jason Singh, a renowned TikTok doctor, warns that opening your suitcase immediately after a trip can risk bringing home bedbugs.
Dr. Singh explains that bedbugs can lay eggs in your belongings during your travels, which can then hatch at home. In one of his TikTok videos, he notes that bedbug eggs typically hatch within six to ten days. The nymphs need a blood meal to continue developing, but if they are left in a closed suitcase, they will starve and dry out.
However, simply leaving your suitcase closed for a few days is not enough to prevent an infestation. Dr. Singh recommends keeping your suitcase unopened for at least two weeks to ensure any bedbugs and their eggs are neutralized. “Now you have a reason to laze around after your vacation and just let your unpacked suitcase wait for the right time,” Singh humorously adds. “Let’s be honest, who really unpacks immediately after returning?”
Many TikTok users welcomed this advice, especially those who tend to leave their travel bags unpacked long after returning. “I’ve never been so happy to have ADHD because my suitcase has been sitting unpacked for ages,” one user commented. Another user added, “For the first time, a doctor praises my laziness.”
For those who can’t wait two weeks to unpack, an entomologist told Travel and Leisure that there is a quicker method to eliminate bedbug eggs. Placing the clothes from your suitcase into a dryer or having them dry cleaned on high heat can effectively kill the eggs. Washing alone may not be sufficient, as the water might not be hot enough to destroy bedbug eggs.
So, whether you decide to take Dr. Singh’s advice or opt for a faster method, being cautious with your unpacking routine can help you avoid an unwanted bedbug infestation.
