“Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” - I remember my mother saying this when she tucked me in - and after getting rid of the horrifying vision of giant bugs gnawing on me, I would drift off to sleep (something to do with Mr. Sandman).

I was never really concerned about bedbugs as a child. I took that popular refrain for just that - a popular refrain. But maybe now I should be concerned. It seems that NYC has a budbug epidemic - according to a newspaper dated February 25, 2008. In fact these little blood suckers are of such concern that when one somehow managed to arrive in S. Korea recently - from the US, it made front page news (see link below).

Exactly what are bedbugs? They are nocturnal insects that feed on blood. The adults can stay dormant for up to a year, waiting for a meal.

Complaints to the City about bedbugs in hotels and private homes more than doubled in the last two years. While so-called experts say it is because we have stopped using the banned toxin DDT, I personally credit the epidemic to filth - as in when hotels are not properly steam cleaned, when mattress companies resell mattresses without proper steam cleaning.

Perhaps too, we need to learn to live with less padded furniture. Why must everything be padded and cushioned and curtained?

The article claims that bedbugs do not spread disease. If they do not spread disease, using dangerous toxins to kill them is overkill.

They are not just found in beds. They are found anywhere humans are. This can be movie theaters, subway benches, hotels, airplanes, cruise ships, anywhere…again I think a lack of cleanliness is the culprit. When the economy tanks, it seems like large corporations have no problem getting rid, of or greatly reducing, the cleaning staff.

You’ll know when your home is infested if you begin to find dark rust-colored spots on bed sheets. Some people are known to have an allergic reaction and develop welts which look like larger mosquito bites.

It is said that only a professional can get rid of them. Some exterminators have started using dogs who seem to be expert at digging out bed bugs; this can help pinpoint if you have them and exactly where.

I hope you are not feeling itchy right now.