Insects aside

In previous years, if I had spotted a spider on my wall or heard a fly buzz in some corner of my room, I knew it was time for an all-out war. There was no resting until that bug was vanquished, usually with the help of at least one housemate, an old Starbucks cup for trapping, and an elaborate system of commands (“You guard the door, and I’ll go in for the kill”). If I lost the battle, losing track of the bug, there was a non-negotiable consequence: that room was no longer habitable.

This was my mode of operation throughout my entire life, and I never even lived anywhere that had a bug problem. I had this philosophy while living in places that most people would consider to be relatively bug-free zones.

My current apartment is not like the rest. To be fair, the place I live right now does not have an insect “problem.” But the building is old. The windows aren’t airtight. The windows are often open to get a breeze since I don’t have central air. There are more than a few “grand” entrances to the outdoors.

I didn’t realize this was the setup until several insects started showing up and introducing themselves over time: ladybugs on my Majesty Palm plants, springtime gnats near the kitchen table, beetles on the hallway wall. Their arrival happened so subtly and solitarily that I could have (almost) missed it.

Not all of the visiting insects have been non-threatening, either.

The other day, a bee was trapped in the shower window well. Without fanfare, I heard the buzzing and managed to let it out, sans panic. Another morning, a large, orange and black moth showed up in the bathroom, and I guided it out of the room, unsure where else in the apartment it might fly and without any time that morning to track it down. I noticed a spider in my room before bed, and I fell asleep anyway. I’ve learned to coexist. (With the exception of centipedes, to which I still will show no mercy and spare no second chances.)

That’s not to say I want insects crawling around. I’ve still delivered many bugs outside when they’ve come too close for comfort, and I have sprayed my share of ants, swatted my share of flies. My goal isn’t to feel like I’m 100% living outdoors (but don’t tempt me). I’m willing to take a few critters, knowing I can still keep my sanity, keep the windows open, and keep my battle gear a little further out of reach.

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