A doctor has shared a surprising piece of advice for people who want to avoid bedbugs when staying in a hotel: avoid the dresser.
With infestations soaring – with an increase of 278% over two years according to a monitoring company – many holidaymakers are taking extra precautions this year.
Dr Jason Singh has shared a top tip that could help you avoid the pesky critters – with has over 452,000 views so far.
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It’s very simple – if you’re worried, don’t use the hotel’s chest of drawers.
Taking to TikTok, the physician asked viewers, “How many of you completely unpack your clothes from your suitcase into a hotel dresser?”
Dr Singh mentioned that dressers made of wood or ones with joints and crevices are more likely to carry the bugs.
Instead, he recommends using closets or hanging spaces, or to just take clothes straight from a suitcase to mitigate any risks.
“I certainly do and use hanging spaces/closets only,” the doctor from Loudoun County, Virginia, US, told Luxury Travel Daily.
“I first became aware of this pattern through case reports and studies published in medical literature detailing bedbug infestations in hotels and their impact on human health.”
Dr Singh has also discovered that bed bugs thrive in other unexpected places.
They can live on headboards and also in electrical outlets, or picture frames in hotel rooms.
One of his other top tips is to use the hotel hair dryer on its highest heat setting in the room.
Dr Singh said: “Speaking with colleagues in public health and pest control has increased awareness of bedbugs to thrive in unconventional places like dressers, headboards, and even electrical outlets or picture frames in hotel rooms.
“You can use the hotel hair dryer on the highest heat setting to blow hot air along mattress seams and into crevices.
“The heat will force bedbugs out of hiding spots to be spotted easier.”
Many TikTokers have taken to the comment section to share their thoughts.
One user said: “Clothes staying suitcase I’m there for vacation not to organize my clothes.”
Another person commented, “If I’m staying more than a week I do unpack but I also spray the entire room with rubbing alcohol and Clorox wipe everything.”
“Ohhh nooooo. The first thing I do is unpack my suitcase,” wrote a third user.
“Been traveling for business for 20 years and NEVER have even seen a bedbug. Pick the right hotels,” said someone else.
A fifth user wrote, “You mean to tell me I’ve been risking my life for over 40 years.”
Another person commented, “Clothes stay in the suitcase… which stays off the floor & away from furniture!”
