Dear Amy: After they had arrived at our home for a scheduled visit of several days’ duration, our friends told us about a bedbug infestation in their apartment.

I think it rude and inconsiderate not to give us the heads up prior to their visit so we could decide whether we wanted to risk a visit with them.

I prefer to no longer be friends with them.

Am I overreacting?

– Itching to Know

Dear Itching: I don’t know if this is a friendship ender (that’s up to you), but I completely agree with you that these friends should have given you advance notice – and lots of reassurance that this infestation had been completely dealt with.

Unfortunately, bedbugs do seem to travel aboard soft-sided suitcases and duffle bags. They can live for up to a year.

Now that I (and scores of readers) are experiencing a case of sympathetic itching, I highly suggest that you do some research on how to check for bedbugs, perform a thorough scan of your own place, and then make your decision about this friendship.

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.