Good Night. Sleep Tight and Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

Every night before she went to bed, I would tell my daughter this common saying:

Good Night. Sleep Tight. Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite.

It was just a saying, and I didn't think much of it. I didn't even know what Sleep Tight meant. They were just words that went with Good Night and sounded good because they rhymed!

But now, I pay more attention to the words. It seems like every time you turn on the news, they are talking about a new place where bedbugs have been found. There is another hotel that has been infested. Homes and apartments, businesses, even schools have found bedbugs on location. There has been a dramatic increase in infestations in recent years.

Just like lice, it makes me itch just thinking about them.

Bedbugs are tiny wing-less, parasitic insects that like to hide in the nooks and crannies of your home. They especially like to hide in mattresses.

The good news is that bedbugs, like lice, don't really cause a lot of damage. It is more the ick! factor, than a real health hazard.

If a bedbug bites you, it will not transmit any diseases to you, unless you crush it. And even then, it will only give you an infection if it has been drinking any blood from a human who has an infection.

Mostly what you will if you have bedbugs is, bug bites that will itch. As with most itches, you shouldn't scratch it to avoid an infection. Most of these can be cleared up with antihistamines.

Bedbug bites can cause skin rashes, and if you are allergic, you could have a reaction. there is also the psychological reaction to having bedbugs.

When you spend the night anywhere else, like at a hotel, try to keep your luggage up on a hard surface, like a luggage rack. Before you leave the place, and when you get home, you want to make sure you thoroughly check your belongings to make sure you don't have any unwanted guests.

If you have bug bites, you can look for the bedbugs. They are small, but you can see them with your eyes. They will generally be hiding, so look at the seams of your mattresses. Also look at other upholstered things, like sofas, chairs, and pillows.

There are several ideas of getting rid of bedbugs, depending on your level of infestation.

You can vacuum them. Be sure the scrape the eggs, since they will cling to bedding and furniture. And then, put the vacuum cleaner bag in plastic and throw it away.

You can wash bedding in very hot water and a hot dryer. Or you can freeze for several days to kill them.

There are pesticides you can use, but most experts recommend getting an exterminator to help you.

You can seal pillows in plastic pillow coverings.

Bedbugs are hard to get rid of. Most sources recommend that you dispose of any mattresses or furniture which has been infected. Be sure to cover it with plastic to keep the bugs from escaping.

The only way to keep bedbugs from biting you is to make sure you keep them out of the home. Bedbugs are not fun to have, but some precautionary measures can help keep them at bay.

Most importantly, don't let worrying about bedbugs keep you up at night. Simple solutions are available.