The Creature That Sleeps With You 🐜

It’s funny because I actually love animals, or at least some particular species of animals. One of my long time dreams is to own a cat and a parrot as soon as I start living independently. I know it sounds strange 😄, but it will happen.

I want a parrot because we used to have one at home, no one ever paid it any mind, and it would just be in its cage. Till I developed some interest in it, I started to feed it and give it water to drink. At first it was difficult seeing as it was always terrified to come close to me, but with time it got used to my presence and loosened up a little bit.

A bond was created between the both of us and that is something I want to experience again. I also want a cat - mostly because they’re feminine, cute and cuddly.

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Now that we’ve established that I love animals 😅, it does not take away from the fact that I think some animals and insects should have never been created in the first place!

If you were to ask me two years ago which animals I hated, I would have said rats and cockroaches. Rats are the animal version of cockroaches. Those two creatures are both and equally useless. They have no economic importance at all; neither do they help the ecosystem in any way.

I look at rats like a blob of meat with a head and a tail; a creature that has made it its life mission to wreak havoc and torment lives. Once they get into your house, it’s difficult to get rid of them. And cockroaches, let’s not even go there. Did you know jump now?

I sighted one on a wall the other day and moved to kill it, as I raised the slippers in my hand, it immediately jumped down from the wall and ran away. Tell me that is not “scum of the earth” behavior! When did they add jumping to their resume?

Anyway over the years, my tolerance level and fear of them reduced. I think I became desensitized in a way to their shenanigans, it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t kill one if I see an opportunity to.

So which insects do I hate now? BED BUGS

You know that cute little saying that goes “Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite”? If you have never experienced bedbugs, you won’t be able to recognize that statement for what it truly is – A threat!

Bed bugs are mosquitoes without wings that live with you in your bed. At least the mosquitoes are like visitors, they’ll come and they'll go. But bedbugs, they are for-lifers. They stay with you through thick and thin. And they spread like wild fire, once you see one that’s the end. Just either look for a way to accommodate them or you go spiritual 😅, cos those things aren’t going anywhere.

When I had an experience with them, I became obsessed with getting rid of them. I studied them online; they usually hide in crevices and lay thousands of eggs. They are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide which we humans exhale. They are active between 12am and 3am and suck your blood while you’re asleep.

Fun fact: If you don’t sleep at night, no need to worry. They have the ability to adapt to your sleep pattern so they don’t mind the inconvenience!

I wasn’t kidding when I said through thick and thin. They might even pop in at day time to pay you one or two visits, outside their visiting hours.Those creatures are the worst. They’re hard to get rid of and they ruin your sleep.

Try your absolute best to not get them. If you stay over at a friend’s place that’s infested, burn your clothes and take a hot bath before you settle down in your own home. For real.

Thanks for reading😊

^{This was my response to The Hive Naija's Prompt for the week}