The year was 1985. My brother and I were minding our own business, enjoying a thrill-ride episode of G.I. Joe when our affiliate cut away for some commercials. One or two in, something caught my attention ? a toy bed, red in color, with multiple plastic bugs hopping around in the center. The object of the game was to get all the bed bugs out of your bed. Whichever color was gone the fastest, that player won.

Little did I know that kick-butt new game wasn't nearly as much fun in real life!

Yes, bed bugs do exist, and yes, they are a problem. Under cover of night, they could be crawling on your mattress to feed on your blood. They could be hiding in your furniture, on your TV, or on your clock radio and other electric appliances. They could be tucked away in bookcases and light sockets. Honestly, you never know where these nesting creatures might be, unless you experience the aftereffects, such as itching and infection.

That's right, infection. Since bed bugs feed on blood, one bite from their stylets can cause secondary infections if you can't keep from scratching the bites.

(And who can?)

In extreme cases, bed bugs have even been known to cause asthmatic reactions. There are a number of possible outcomes that, while not deadly, you will wish to avoid.

And if you do get bed bugs, getting rid of them can be a very difficult and costly procedure. A call to pest control will cost between $50-100, and often times, it doesn't get rid of the problem. Bed bugs are great little hiders, and that's exactly what they'll do. But they need to feed, and that means they require you.

Luckily, there is an organic pest control solution that can target and eliminate bed bugs in less than an hour. It's called diatomaceous earth, and it is a bed bug's worst nightmare.

Why Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous earth is your only source for organic pest control if you plan to rid yourself, and your home, of these irritating, bothersome creatures. And while with chemicals, there is always the chance immunity can develop, diatomaceous earth kills through physical action. Essentially, it scratches its prey to death.

What you do is sprinkle the diatomaceous earth around bedposts, on your mattress, and along any other path a bed bug might travel to get to you. Once you have done so, the bed bug will be forced to walk through the diatomaceous earth on their path to feeding frenzy. Usually, the bed bug's life is over within one hour of contact, and you can rest easy knowing they will not bother you again.

You can also rest easy knowing that treatment via diatomaceous earth costs much less than what your local pest control people will charge you. You can buy a 50-pound bag for as little as $27.50. Best of all, diatomaceous earth is safe: to you, to your kids, to your pets. It can even be ingested as a health supplement!