there are many good insects in the world...

01/06/08
New most despised insect: fleas.
That’s right, I have fleas. This kind of disgusts me. I am not certain where I picked them up or if they are just endemic to my host family’s house. I could have picked them up at the wedding I went to. We slept overnight on the floor there. Or it could have been the adorable puppy that I petted (although I washed my hands immediately afterwards and didn’t pick him up. I wanted to but after feeling lots of little bumps on his head I investigated and found the worst tick infestation I have ever seen. The little guy literally had 15 ticks at least per square inch…). Or it could be the huge rug my host family insists I lay my sleeping pad on. Or it could have been the cows. Or something else… anyway, I don’t know. What I do know is that fleas are really irritating. I am learning what they feel like, and have managed to catch six on me. All of them have been summarily torn in two or thrown out the window. I also am learning where they like to hide in garments. In the seams. If you unfold the seams and move quickly (REALLY quickly) you can catch them before the little buggers jump off and disappear into the carpet. And then you can rip them in two. Which is every bit as satisfying as ripping ticks in two. Who used to be my most despised insect-type-thing.
Methods used in my flea control: 1—Catch an kill, as previously described. 2—Spray self and bedding down with bug spray every night. 3—Put sprigs of rosemary all over my room and in all of my clean clothes (it is supposed to discourage insects). 4—Take bedding outside and leave it in the sun for a day. Or two. 5—Put nasty chemicals underneath the blanket that goes under the rug that goes under my sleeping pad. My next plan is to research fleas online and learn more killing methods. If you know any, dish! OK? I need back up plans.
I think the score is Fleas: 30+ Jeannie: 16 or so. But I am staging a comeback.