Many travelers take pride in being able to unpack and get back to their daily lives as soon as they return home. But a recent social media post by a Virginia doctor reveals a compelling reason to reconsider this practice. Dr. Jason Shin shared a cautionary tale on TikTok that might make you think twice before emptying your bags right away.
The threat hidden in the suitcase
Dr. Singh’s warning focuses on an unwelcome souvenir that travelers don’t want to take home: bed bugs. These small, persistent pests have long been the bane of travelers around the world. But doctors’ advice has added a new layer to the precautions we should take against them. Dr. Singh warns that bed bugs can lay eggs on your clothes and belongings when you travel.
Therefore, they can inadvertently turn your suitcase into an incubator for these unwanted guests. “Bed bug eggs typically hatch within 6 to 10 days,” Singh explains in a viral TikTok video. He added that newly hatched nymphs “require a blood meal after hatching to continue growing.”
The science behind the delay
At the heart of Dr. Singh’s advice is understanding the life cycle of bed bugs. By keeping your suitcase closed for a period of time after you return home, you can effectively starve any bed bug stowaways. “If you leave your suitcase closed or unattended for at least two weeks, bed bug eggs and larvae can die from starvation or desiccation (lack of water),” Singh elaborates.
This simple but effective strategy can be the difference between a pest-free home and a full-blown pest infestation. This is a solemn reminder that procrastination can be a virtue. Dr. Singh’s advice has sparked a conversation online about post-travel habits and the potential risks we unknowingly take. It may seem counterintuitive to many people to leave your suitcase stuffed and stuffed for weeks on end, but it’s the price you pay for peace of mind and a pest-free home. It’s a small price to pay.
