The sanest way to manage bed bugs as a Host is to convince yourself that you have them.
Bed bugs are epidemic in many North American cities. You can pick them up just about anywhere there is tufted furniture, carpet, and/or people: doctor's offices, at a concert or restaurant, etc. Your kid can pick them up at school. And your guests may accidentally bring them in on their luggage. You may never know for sure, because it can take an egg 6-8 weeks to reach adulthood. It's possible that the Guest who finds them may have, in fact, brought them with them. And it's hell on earth getting rid of them - at least, for now.
Until technology catches up, the best method is the defensive one.
The best method of eradication is by a professional. The most effective, non toxic professional method is superheating your home. This will not only kill bed bugs and their eggs, but also flies, silverfish, etc. and even mice. Depending on how many people are in your home, you may need to do this as a preventative measure a couple of times a year.
To reduce the incidence:
Mattresses and pillows should have authentic bedbug proof covers.
Steel framed beds are an advantage over wooden ones.
Keep all rooms free of clutter. The more that's stored, the harder it is for them to get to.
All linens, towels, bedding, curtains, etc. should be machine washed on hot and machine dried on hot for at least 30 minutes. Where possible, use bleach or unbleachables bleach.
Store linens separately and in plastic when not in use.
Remove any extraneous plush toys, padded furnishings, and carpets.
Caulk loose windows, and where floor meets wall.
Steaming furniture and walls is also said to be effective.
Do all of the above, and then spray with an accredited bed bug spray* in each room with every changeout. I also wash floors with a strong bleach or alcohol formula then.
*I found that the local professional cleaning supply house offers the most up to date preparations.
This is by no means a complete list, and it's not a guarantee. But it will go a long way to offsetting them.
Set water or adhesive traps under bed posts and check regularly to monitor for bed bugs.