Many of us grew up with our parents tucking us in saying, “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” I didn’t realize until I was an adult and traveling around that bed bugs were a real thing, rather than a fictional creature that plagued bad little girls and boys. Sadly, I’ve learned over the years that the pesky little creatures are indeed real. And that an attack can happen before you know it. Sometimes without you even knowing it.

Here’s how to recognize an encounter and what to do if you have.