"Don't let the bedbugs bite!" I teased my astute four-year-old once. "BUGS?" She was alarmed. Oops. I assured her there were no bugs in her bed, but then I read this article and thought, maybe I shouldn't tease so lightly.

Bedbugs, which were thought to be eliminated by pesticides like DDT, are making a strong comeback, and no area of the country seems to be immune. Big cities, small towns, even dormitory rooms can be infested with the pests, and they aren't easy to exterminate.

You'll know you have bedbugs if you wake up with extremely itchy red spots, black spots in your bed, or even squashed bugs. You might find them by lifting up your mattress, but they can live in walls, cracks, and crevices for up to a year without food. If that isn't enough to make you stop reading so you can itch and squirm, read more about the bugs and how to eliminate them here.