unwanted visitors

Maybe it's something about me that attracts bugs.

After a visit to the dermatologist, and a stronger medication, my feet and ankles have finally stopped that awful itching. They still look dreadful — gigantic red dots all over my legs, feet and toes — but hopefully that too will subside in time.

But that's only one of my bug problems.

In February of 2020, a big water bug landed in my hair while I was in my apartment. It's not hard to imagine how awful that was.

Since then, I've had the exterminator to my apartment more times than I can count. The wonderful Paul, owner of the exterminator company, even gives me his cell number (with my building's approval) so I can contact him directly.

                

He's tried everything.

Glue traps.

Granular poison of some kind.

Little rubber circular things that do something lethal to the bugs.

We've sealed every possible point of entry. 

Even pulled out my stove and dishwasher to make sure these buggers aren't getting in that way.

Every vent. Every crack. Every drain. Every everything has been hermetically sealed.

And still, they find a way in.

Mostly when I see one of these giant, hideous creatures they are dead. Bad, but not as bad as when my friend Linda was over and one of these motherfu....s raced across my living room carpet, scaring us both. And, if alive, they are not easy to catch.

Paul is here again today. After getting back from the Cape, I find two dead bugs and one alive one. And, they were all in different parts of my apartment. 

Paul thoroughly treats my apartment and the basement below me. 

If only we could figure out how they are getting in.

It's baffling and upsetting. These bugs just don't want to leave.

But at least it's not as bad as what my friend M found in her beautiful Massachuttes home.

The other night, late, she notices a brown mound sitting on her hallway carpet. Her first thought is that Gus, her adorable dog, is responsible. But as she gets closer, she notices movement in the dark mound. 

Turns out it's a dying bat.

Perhaps I should be grateful for having just a bug problem!