Bedbugs risk prompts experts to keep suitcases sealed after travel

Health experts warn that bedbugs can hide in luggage after a holiday, potentially infesting homes when suitcases are opened. They advise keeping suitcases closed for about two weeks, storing clothes on higher shelves rather than on the floor, and placing the bag in a sealed plastic bag. The insects lay eggs that hatch in six to ten days, after which the nymphs feed on blood. To eliminate any bugs, clothes can be run in a dryer for half an hour before being stored.

The guidance is especially relevant for hotel rooms, where bedbugs are often found despite regular cleaning, and for travelers who want to avoid bringing the pests into their homes.