Thursday, July 22, 2010

Fleas!

We’re blogging this week at Killer Hobbies about insects--so what’s more natural for someone whose hobby and family members are pets than to talk about fleas?

I’m happy to report that monthly topical treatments have worked well with my dogs for a long time. When I first moved to California, though--yes, I already was owned by Cavalier King Charles Spaniels then--we kept having flea infestations.

How did I know? The [censored] little creatures loved me even more than they loved the dogs! I’d itch for days, and so would the dogs, even after we sprayed our entire house with flea chemicals that required us to leave for hours and return to a stinky, but flea-free, home.

I therefore thank the manufacturers that came up with what seems to be a good solution. I worry, of course, that the stuff can’t be good for the dogs... but they don’t seem to mind, and I’m always careful to use only the contents of packages that say they’re for the dogs of the size of mine. They’ve never had a bad reaction, and our home has had a good reaction: no fleas!

On the other hand, we do get termites...

Will I ever write about insects in any of my stories? That’s one kind of creature that doesn’t inspire me, so I doubt it.

How about you--do you like to read or write about insects?

9 comments:

Dru said...

I'm not too fond of reading about insects, whether they play a good role or not.

Linda O. Johnston said...

I'm with you, Dru!

Camille Minichino said...

Write about them? I can barely get through this week with them!

Monica Ferris said...

I know something about determining how long a corpse has lain outdoors before being found that involves the larval stage of fly development, but I don't think I dare write about it in a cozy.

Linda O. Johnston said...

My sentiments, too, Camille.

Your knowledge could definitely be put to use in some stories, Monica, but I agree that cozies may not be the right place.

Betty Hechtman said...

The whole thing about flies and dead bodies is really interesting. I read something that said blow flies (they're the ones who love dead bodies) can smell(or however bugs preceive scent) a body from five miles away.

I agree with everybody else that it isn't cozy material, particulary since so many of the books now center around food. Bodies, blow flies and food Yuck!

Linda O. Johnston said...

I agree that including bugs in culinary mysteries would be a big turnoff to readers, Betty--including me!

Janie Emaus said...

Hi Linda,
I can't say that I'm too fond of fleas or any insects for that matter. Just thinking about them makes me itch!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Come to think of it, Janie, my foot is itching right now!