Killing Cockroaches and Other Creepy Crawlies

[Monica]

Awhile back, on the famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) meat thread, I was asked if I kill bugs. I stated that I always take bees, wasps and spiders outside and set them free, rather than killing them, but I confessed that I did kill cockroaches! I just wasn't "there" yet in my consciousness to be able to set a cockroach free.

I had reasons, of course. Cockroaches are nasty. They're an infestation. I even wondered if higher STS entities might use 'little nasties' like roaches, viruses and bacteria to do their bidding. And, most of all, they're almost impossible to catch!

Much to my amazement, Diana said she sets cockroaches free! I was impressed and said "I want to be like Diana when I grow up!"

We hadn't had much of a roach problem in recent years, but we did find them occasionally. A few weeks ago, we moved some stuff inside that had been in the garage, and after that starting seeing more roaches. They quickly became ex-roaches!

I felt uneasy about it though, and kept thinking about how I wanted to be like Diana when I grew up.

A few days ago, I found a roach who had gotten trapped in a bowl. Roaches can climb up walls - they are superman roaches! - but for some reason this little (well actually, this big nasty ugly) fella couldn't seem to figure it out. What's the old saying? Bird's nest on the ground! except this isn't a bird's nest (which I would lovingly rescue and put back in the tree) but an creepy crawly cockroach!

I could not of course kill it when it was at such an unfair disadvantage. And it was clearly a sign of some sort, to re-evaluate my nasty habit of killing nasty critters.

So I put a cover on the bowl and took it outside, while the critter ran round and round inside the bowl trying to escape. This required great stamina and courage on my part, since my normal reaction to roaches crossing my path is to dance wildly and scream like those women in the old movies!

Woman screams in terror!

Had that roach escaped, I would have been screaming and blathering just like her!

But, miraculously, I made it outside. I told the roach collective that I was letting this one go, and I had a request in exchange: That they stay out of my house! I was using the strategy Captain Picard used with the Borg who had become conscious:

I Hugh

I let the critter scurry away (well actually I kinda threw the whole thing, to make sure it didn't crawl towards me!) and forgot about it. I didn't mention it to anyone.

A few days later, I heard my son's girlfriend shriek in the kitchen. My son and I both ran in there to see what was going on. A big, ugly roach was on the counter, hiding beneath the rim of a plate. I assumed they would promptly kill it. (Incidentally, both of them are lifelong vegetarians, and as a child I marveled at how my son never squashed bugs like other kids did. He didn't learn that from me because at the time I did squash them if they were i my house! But he learned to kill roaches at some point.)

Now here's where it gets interesting. Keep in mind that I hadn't told them about my little rescue operation a few days prior. But out of the blue, my son's girlfriend said "We should catch it and set it free. I'm just so tired of all the killing in the world and I don't want to add to it."

I was impressed! But a little skeptical, because roaches are notoriously difficult to catch! The only reason I let the other one go was because he was conveniently trapped so it was easy for me. (well, relatively speaking...) Catching a roach would surely entail lots of dancing around and lots of screaming as it dashed in between our legs or worse - horrors! - actually started flying! (Yes roaches fly in Texas! It's the most horrible, terrifying thing, to have this nasty thing flying at one's face! But even more horrifying was when a large roach got into my - gasp - mouth! But that's another story!)

What could I say? I said "Wow, that's a great idea! Go for it! I hope you don't mind if I watch from a safe distance in the living room."

Incredibly, the roach didn't seem to fight capture very much. They were able to catch it in a plastic container without too much trouble. I was thinking, "Wow, that roach isn't even trying to escape...surely he could if he really wanted to."

She caught him (with a bit of screaming and dancing) and my son and I escorted her to the empty lot across the street, where she set him free. We all 3 felt really exhilarated afterwards, like we'd done a good deed. (Well actually, they did the good deed...I'm honestly not sure what I would have done, had I found the roach! So I don't get any credit for this. It's all hers.)

What really blew my mind is that she came up with the idea on her own, just a few days after I set the other one free. She has lived with us for almost 3 years and has encountered a few roaches here and there. (We don't exterminate our house so they get in occasionally.) Why now all of a sudden?

And of course I won't be able to ever kill roaches anymore. Can't be outdone by a 20-year-old can I?

I highly recommend watching the entire Star Trek episode. It's quite profound. (You can find it on hulu.)

And thank you, Diana, for being my role model. It took me awhile to get it. I'm not sure if I'm quite 'there' yet but this is encouraging.

[Diana]

That's awesome!

[godwide_void]

Harming and in the worst case exterminating any form of life is completely beyond my scope of capability and would be the highest form of hypocrisy for one who perceives and knows that within every spider, ant, snail, slug, there is only one being manifest as any of them. I don't have roaches in my home but when I become aware of any insect in my presence (usually a small spider, ant in some cases, and every now and then a centipede or millipede) rarely is there a desire or instinctual drive to kill them as I envision how it would be like were a being to crush my form unprovoked, simply because it has become aware of my existence. I merely let them go on their way or if possible, scoop them up with a pencil or some object and bring them outside my door. I do not see any distinction between my being and that of any lower form of life such as insects as I have seen the true form of the real identity of both, thus it would be blasphemous and sacrilegious to harm any being knowing I would be doing harm to the One being with the knowing of Its presence within all sentience. It is good that you were able to honor and ensure the continued safety and existence of the small form of life the way you did Monica.

[AnthroHeart]

I have to admit I hired an exterminator for an ant infestation I had a few months ago, and to prevent termites. It cost me a lot, and in the end I'm not sure was worth it. I wish I had your heart godwide. My mom nags me and then I end up caving in to take care of these bugs.

[Tenet Nosce]

That's a pretty cool story! Hopefully the roach collective accepts your offer! I actually did a similar thing with spiders years ago- the deal was as long as they didn't crawl on my body, I would do my best to escort them out of the house. Last year- I found two pretty sizeable ones that had taken up residence around one of our windows, and had a pretty big egg sac going. I transplanted them to a big tree in between the back yards and scooped up the egg sac into a plastic cup, and set it between the trunks.

Then again, just yesterday I felt an itch in my ear. So I stuck my finger in there to scratch and it came out with a tiny little bug who was quite squished. Oh well, ya win some, ya lose some!

[Aureus]

The "worst" kind of creatures that pays my humble home a visit would be wasps or bumblebees. They're not that hard to take out though, you just need patience and courage -the skill will develop :p I usually feed the flies in the house with raisins and such. I once found a tame one whom I would pet.


I am fortunate enough to live where there are little to no cockroaches.

[Seed]

Well, sounds to me like someone is trying to tell you something!

...I usually, erm, catch them with my hands and let em go. > ~> My mom always freaked out with roaches, but I felt sad for all the little bugs that everyone seemed to hate; in fact they were cute! Still are. My problem nowadays is whether or not to kill aphids/plant eaters. I always justify it by telling myself I'm saving a 2d, but I always feel horribly guilty and sad afterwards. If they were relocatable, I'd do it! But I have to protect my plants, right...?

Edit: Or is it pre-incarnated catalyst?

[Peregrinus]

With begbugs I have removed three infestations thus far. The last time I did so, my higher self awoke me to find each bedbug as it arrived, whereby I took each prisoner. Though I thought of the possibility of "freeing" each, I chose to provide a quick end of their incarnate experiences rather than the more likely possible end of suffering should I 'free' them to an inhospitable and less than likely survivable environment.

As Q'uo has stated, those of Earth have gained experience each by being murdered, being murderers, being rich, being poor, being benefited, being benefactors... almost every experience we can imagine, so though one might see harming another of the much less dense light body as a negative thing, I choose to see offering a quick end preferential to offering suffering, and thus choose to see the quick end as more service to other-self than the alternative.

Cockroaches perhaps I might treat differently...

[Monica]

With begbugs I have removed three infestations thus far. The last time I did so, my higher self awoke me to find each bedbug as it arrived, whereby I took each prisoner. Though I thought of the possibility of "freeing" each, I chose to provide a quick end of their incarnate experiences rather than the more likely possible end of suffering should I 'free' them to an inhospitable and less than likely survivable environment.

I remember you telling me about your bout with bedbugs. You had your child to consider! Being that they were biting/attacking, I would consider killing them to be self-defense. Same with fleas on dogs.

[Brittany]

Here is a little guy I caught chilling on my wall the other day.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/...2754_n.jpg

People at my work have screamed when I caught cockroaches in my hand and took them outside, but for the most part I've stopped trying because I realize there will always be more roaches in that place.

I don't think I've ever gotten roaches in the house. We mostly get spiders, which have a habit of biting me in my sleep. I'll admit I've squashed quite a few of them, though these days I feel guilty doing so. If I do squash a bug I usually say a little prayer for it.

I also have a habit of putting worms back in the grass after it rains and they wash out onto the concrete.

The other day a wasp somehow got into my house and I was freaking out. It kept flying around and I was afraid I would just lose sight of it. You would have all laughed at me so nervously following it around with a cup and a plate. I finally got it into the cup and released it outside, and it took off like a bat out of hell. At least it didn't turn around and sting me.

[Monica]

I also have a habit of putting worms back in the grass after it rains and they wash out onto the concrete.

Oh that's awesome!!! Worms are amazing. I have a colony of pet worms and I feed them and talk to them and pick them up. They give me black gold for my garden.

The other day a wasp somehow got into my house and I was freaking out. It kept flying around and I was afraid I would just lose sight of it. You would have all laughed at me so nervously following it around with a cup and a plate. I finally got it into the cup and released it outside, and it took off like a bat out of hell. At least it didn't turn around and sting me.

LOL! I'm amazed you were able to catch it! I've never had success using a cup and plate with wasps because they wouldn't go into the cup, though I do use a cup and plate for spiders.

Try using a towel. It's much easier to catch wasps with a towel. When the wasp is crawling on the window trying to get out, I just go up to it and scoop it into the towel, then fold it over so it's trapped in between the folds of the towel. I can hear and feel it buzzing inside as I take it outside. That works really well.

I wouldn't use a towel for spiders though because they crawl out so fast and I don't want it crawling on me! Wasps tend to stay put though.

[indolering]

.
Great story, Monica.

This question comes up now and again, and here's how I see it. We do our best to respect and honor life, all life. But we're not perfect and there are times when we have to make life and death decisions. Not long ago I had to decide whether or not to take my Mother off life-support.... All I can say is, we just need to do our best in the situation we find ourselves - if we choose to eradicate a colony of insects, then do so consciously and ask forgiveness for your behavior. God understands these things and our karma is less if we do these things consciously, with love.

[Monica]

Not long ago I had to decide whether or not to take my Mother off life-support....

to you indolering. I know that must have been very difficult.

if we choose to eradicate a colony of insects, then do so consciously and ask forgiveness for your behavior.

I agree about consciously taking responsibility for it.

[Siren]

Throughout my life, beginning early in my childhood, I found it rather impossible to harm or kill insects and the such. I LIVED with them, learned with/through/from them. The amount of little creatures that passed through my hands is beyond counting. I kid you not!

Beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, slugs, snails, centipedes, worms, caterpillars (and butterflies; but I'd release them once metamorphosed), etc, etc, etc. I knew everything there was to know about them. I farmed them! I mean, I built natural colonies for them (a different one for each species) where they'd be fed on a regular basis and be free from the harm of any external sources. (I also had 2 tarantulas and 1 scorpion as pets who lived inside the house.)

I admit, though, I never had the same relationship with roaches; probably because they were such shady creatures: you'd only find them scavenging the kitchen or the bathroom at night when everyone was asleep; and once you'd turn on the light and came in, they'd scatter away and disappear from sight! They never stayed to chat not even for a moment.

But I never killed them. In fact (this might sound slightly weird), every death I witnessed, I personally suffered. I didn't get it how humans could so easily and pitilessly squash these little creatures without the tiniest bit of remorse. It was beyond me. Totally beyond my possibilities of comprehension. (Many years later I was to find out I was an "empath" and that's why I took it upon myself the need to "share" the pain of animals and trees.)

I always had to interfere, whenever possible, between the human and the insect, in order to ensure the continuation of its incarnation (I wonder how much of an infringement of freewill I was making...). This often felt like a burden to me (but it was my responsibility, you see) to secure these creatures from the human, and safely transport them outside the house.

But anyway, I digress!

I really like moths!

---

Oh, yes, if ye be wondering: I lived in a fantastic home with a beautiful lush garden full of plants and trees (we had at least 7 different species of fruit-bearing trees and over 50 pine trees—we also had a willow and many vegetables), it was a very rustic place abundant with all sorts of life-forms (I've also had lizards/iguanas, turtles, snakes, frogs, bunnies, dogs and even armadillos as pets at one time or another).

[Unbound]

We seek within.

[Monica]

I confess, I still kill mosquitoes, but the way I see it they started it.

---

I try to avoid it if possible, but when you're laying in bed and being raided with no window option...

Oops, yeah me too! Yeah they started it!

I have noticed, for what it's worth, that when I'm the only human around, I get bitten by mosquitoes. But when there are other people around who eat the standard junk food diet, they tend to be covered in mosquito bites and I have none. So apparently I don't taste very good to mosquitoes, but they'll settle for my awful-tasting green blood only as a last resort!

[TheFifty9Sound]

My doctor told me if you eat a lot of Vegemite, Mosquitos don't like you. I don't know if that's true or not, but I rarely get bitten!

[Patrick]

My doctor told me if you eat a lot of Vegemite, Mosquitos don't like you. I don't know if that's true or not, but I rarely get bitten!

Actually it's the Vitamin B complex that repulses Mosquitoes. "Vegemite is one of the world's richest known sources of B vitamins..." - Wiki

[Diana]

I don't know what vegemite is, but I have rarely been bitten by mosquitos. They can be all around biting everyone else, but leave me alone. I have also noticed that the deer are less afraid of me, and always were from the beginning of them coming by.

My theory is that 1) I have been vegetarian for a long time. It's logical that the deer can "smell" this (smell predator); as for mosquitos, I think my blood must "smell" differently to them as well. And 2) vibration or essence: I don't kill anything consciously, as Monica said, not even cockroaches or scorpions. I think somehow this is sensed by animals.

Like Ahktu, I have been at client's businesses and taken spiders and other creatures outside among "eeewwuuuus!" but at the same time I could see it changed their paradigm a little to see it (that's not why I ever do it though; I do it to get the little creatures out of the human space where they would surely get squashed).

The other thing I do is talk to insects. I don't think they know the words I say, but I do think they understand the feeling and intention. Example of the message flowing the other way: We used to live in an area that was the highest for scorpion nests. You could count at any time (at night) over 30 perched on our back yard wall in the summer. We discovered that they phosphoresce under a black light. We started shining the black light on them, and my avatar is a photo taken this way (scorpions are just so beautiful). Shortly after we started doing this, scorpions began showing up in the bedroom, right over the bed on the wall. One night, my boyfriend and I both got stung (I took the scorpion outside of course). But it came to me that they did not like the black light. So we stopped shining it on them. The bedroom visits stopped.

Humans are insular, and have closed themselves off from nature in general (aside from indigenous peoples). We build walls, pour concrete, live in cities, etc., and this causes a barrier between us and animals/plants/insects/all other life. It also causes separation, and therefore fear. Fear causes more separation. Wildlife is out there just trying to survive. Right now there is a rattlesnake sometimes visiting our front yard. They sleep mostly in the day and become active at night. Living in the desert, it is smart to be aware in the summer of rattlesnakes. They will always warn you with their rattles; they won't attack--unless you inadvertently corner them or step on them (or try to kill them). With mutual respect, we can all (all life forms) live in harmony. I don't mean to sound cavalier or stupid about this; if someone has children playing in a yard, one doesn't want a rattlesnake there. I just feel that killing is not the answer; and as for me, an adult, I can certainly live in peace with the wildlife in my area.

I provide water for the wildlife. I recently found out that the end of a large development which ends on the mountainside I'm on, built over the local watering hole. So I get a lot of wildlife coming to drink. Bees hang out especially in the bird bath. I love to watch them. They will fly around and sometimes land on me. Most people have been taught to be afraid of bees (and if one is allergic, it makes sense). But bees have great energy. They "feel" good. When one starts to open the doors to nature, and ceases to hide behind the barriers erected by humankind, a very different world emerges.

Being with nature, and wildlife, is a sure way to bring yourself into the now.

[Monica]

Update: Bizarrely, since I stopped killing roaches, I almost never see any roaches anymore.

[evome]

its not bizzare at all =)

if you focus on something, you get more of it...if you ignore it, it goes away...its simple physics...

[hogey11]

I'm with TheEternal - mosquitos ass be grass at my house, but this summer I have to say that I didn't necessarily want to kill them; they just kept pushing my patience! It's hard to love those little bloodsuckers.

I did leave all the spiders in my backyard (I have a spider sanctuary) and I think I had a good 10-15 grand webs all over the yard. I liked looking at them all, and they somewhat minimized my mosquito problem too!

An opportunity for me to kill was instead given to my spider brethren... wait, isnt' that an STS action?!?

[Jeremy]

I'm cool with every insect except roaches or palmetto bugs as some people call them. It stems from bad experiences as a child when my parents had a very bad problem with them. When I would feed our dog, there would be multiple roaches inside the bag of food and when I would scoop the food out, they would crawl all over my arm and as a child, this scared the living hell outta me.

Ever since then, it's a automatic response. They must die. Most other insects here in Florida serve a purpose either inside or outside. That's why I leave spiders be when I see then inside. I know they help with the bug problem but roaches? Roaches serve no purpose except food for spiders in my mind.

When you grow up in Florida, you really have no choice but to accept cohabitating with insects but not roaches. Ever lol

[Spaced]

I used to have a huge problem with mosquitoes. One night when I was travelling in Greece I was completely swarmed, I woke up the next day and counted over 200 bites! If I was in a group the mosquitoes used to always go for me first. As an experiment a couple years ago I decided to try to stop worrying about getting bit all the time and not make such a big deal about it when I do and it worked, now I rarely if ever get bit by mosquitoes.