Cockroach Wars

Confession. We are having problems with cockroaches.

About a month ago the number of droppings beneath our sink signalled an increased presence of visiting pests.

So, I spent a couple of days emptying our kitchen cupboards, wiping the cupboards and counter tops with a mixture of lavender and salt, sprinkling cockroach deterrents of baking soda and icing sugar around pipes and cracks, and (a less eco-friendly method) placing cockroach baits around the kitchen.

After the first day of cleaning, I watches some videos and around 2:00am, decided it was time for bed. I picked up my empty mug and headed for the kitchen.

I flicked on the kitchen light and there was the sudden sound of scurrying feet. Chaos reigned! Cockroaches, startled by the light, scrambled for cover.

Damn organic pest control! I grabbed a can of insect spray and sprayed it all over the counter top. There were cockroaches everywhere—scurrying into cupboards, behind the stove, behind the spice rack, into the knife block. I grabbed a dustpan and broom, whacked as many as I could, and tossed the bodies into the garbage bin. If you haven't guessed, I detest cockroaches!

The following day, I narrated the encounter to Hubby in a slightly hysterical tone: “I couldn't believe it! I turned on the light and there were cockroaches everywhere—short, large, fat, thin—I just got the spray and sprayed everything. And then I bashed them. I must have thrown at least 10 in the garbage last night!

Hubby has a slightly "Larson-esque" view of life.

He replied, “Well, imagine how the cockroaches felt.”. And then, imitating my tone: “The light came on and there was this human! We ran for cover but I'm not sure we all made it! I haven't seen Jack today!”