We haven't heard much about bedbugs for quite some time. That's because for a long time, they appeared to have been eradicated.

Bedbugs once were widespread. But aggressive use of pesticides lead to their eventual demise. Now, however; they're back!

Bedbugs are generally found where people sleep. They often call beds, bed furniture, mattresses, and the like home.

Bedbugs seek out people and animals. Generally while the targets are sleeping, the bed bugs are eating, sucking blood from their unsuspecting hosts.

Often, victims feel no pain at all. However, repeated exposure can cause allergic kinds of reactions that resemble mosquito bites.

The good news is that bedbugs are not known to transmit infectious agents. The bad news is that bedbugs are just darn right gross.

How do bedbugs get into homes apartments, and hotel rooms? They can be carried in by infected luggage or anything else that can physically carry the critters and their little eggs.

Once in one room, they can migrate through cracks to other rooms -- just as do roaches. Actually roaches and bed bugs seems rather similar to me.

Bed bugs leave reddish droppings, the signs of which might signal bed bug activities. An odor might also suggest infestation.

You really might need a professional to help fight this problem. It seems that both physical and chemical removal methods (such as a stiff brush) are often used together for abatement. And insecticide use warrants adherence to all laws and labeling instructions.

Landlords may have a legal duty to respond to these complaints, and tenants may have certain legal obligations and rights as well.

These issues are dependent on local laws and case histories. Hotel operators certainly have certain legal obligations that are owed to their guests. Since many recent cases have reportedly taken place in hotels, this warrants particular attention.

Yes, they are disgusting. But bed bugs are not caused by a lack of cleanliness. When the problem is detected, a prompt professional response should be more that enough to cure it to every one's satisfaction.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.