So one day in the fall Bossy found this bug, and what is it, a cricket? It’s not that Bossy is overly afraid of bugs, she just doesn’t like to be the one to decide what to do with them.
There are those people who crush bugs of all varieties, and there are those who feel a bug must be ushered back outside. Bossy is somewhere in between, depending on the bug and how much it’s bugging her.
Throughout Bossy’s childhood it was her brother who was called from adjacent rooms to resolve issues with things like city roaches, which Bossy has no problem wishing dead but oy, the crackle snap of their pressed bodies!
In the case of the cricket above, and hello entomologist, please don’t go telling Bossy it’s something weirder than that, Bossy thought it should be set free outside.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you tell Bossy what you do with bugs found in your house? Or, if not you, who has the job of racing to your aid when you scream?
And don’t forget to check back later today for the buggiest comments on the web.
Kristin says
February 17, 2009 at 10:58 amHate them. Smoosh away, I say. Plug ears if necessary!
Lisa! says
February 17, 2009 at 10:59 amSpray from fair distance with anything aerosole until bug drowns.
alissa says
February 17, 2009 at 11:04 amTequila. Eight magazines taped around shoe. Smash. Boyfriend cleans up.
Caroline says
February 17, 2009 at 11:05 amBugs are part of nature. Nature belongs outdoors. And so…
Tuli says
February 17, 2009 at 11:06 amAll but roaches get set free. Roaches get fire bombed.
Julianne says
February 17, 2009 at 11:08 amTwo for Tuesday:
That is a spricket. Combo of cricket and spider. Mutant.
Dyson sucks those things right up and out they go!
MariaV says
February 17, 2009 at 11:15 amSmoosh, smoosh, stomp, smoos. Pretend I am poping bubble wrap.
Domestic Goddess (in training) says
February 17, 2009 at 11:20 amHair spray plus lighter equals blow torch. Bye Bye bug!
stuffanie says
February 17, 2009 at 11:21 amA noble burial at sea…where sea equals the toilet.
corrie says
February 17, 2009 at 11:25 amIs it really a bother to put in a glass with paper and deliver outdoors? Better that than clean up a squished, guts-splattered corpse!
Lara says
February 17, 2009 at 11:31 amTwo for you:
Bossy, you have taken a photo of a camel cricket.
In Austin, we have HUGE, screech-inducing flying cockroaches. Splat.
BH says
February 17, 2009 at 11:37 amZap them with tennis-racket shaped electric bug zapping device.
BH
BH says
February 17, 2009 at 11:39 amOH, and sometimes I release them back into nature!
Carrie says
February 17, 2009 at 11:41 amHear squeal, mom to the rescue, tissue-squeeze, toss, flush.
Shelley says
February 17, 2009 at 11:43 amPut a cup over it until the husband gets home.
3limes says
February 17, 2009 at 11:43 amscream,call husband, listen to children laughing at pathetic mother.
wendy says
February 17, 2009 at 11:47 amgrab tissue, squeeze, POP, Yuck, walk to toilet, FLUSH sigh.
BOSSY says
February 17, 2009 at 11:48 amCover with glass. Squeeze magazine under. Take outside. Squash ants.
Jamie says
February 17, 2009 at 11:52 amBig shriek. Shout HELP! Oh wait, I live alone. DAMMIT.
Jen W. says
February 17, 2009 at 11:53 amFlush the stink bugs. They really do smell. Don’t vacuum!
Camille says
February 17, 2009 at 11:56 amThey die. If I am alone I hide upstairs.
The Great Getzby says
February 17, 2009 at 11:58 amCool with a paper towel, hotter with a towel: SNAP!
~annie says
February 17, 2009 at 12:03 pmI try to get our cat to eat the bugs.
Dharmamama says
February 17, 2009 at 12:04 pmDon’t like those cricketspiders – they jump toward you! Free them.
Liza says
February 17, 2009 at 12:04 pmSpiders ok, unless they are yooge–flys & cockroaches die!
Debby says
February 17, 2009 at 12:05 pmBugs have been known to be frozen stiff with hairspray
Emily says
February 17, 2009 at 12:09 pmHeard creature in room. Tentatively searched. Stranded on Bed Island.
Julie says
February 17, 2009 at 12:14 pmIf hubby is home, play wimp. Else kill and cringe.
Stacey Ball says
February 17, 2009 at 12:16 pmDaddy long legs I leave be, all others magazine squash.
Mel says
February 17, 2009 at 12:17 pmI let them go or feed them to the cats.
Shelley says
February 17, 2009 at 12:19 pmBugs? Let them free. Scorpions? Husband’s domain. Sigh. Texas.
Lizzy says
February 17, 2009 at 12:20 pmTake outside. Run free, little one! Please don’t come back.
K says
February 17, 2009 at 12:28 pmI study spiders, so set free critters. Except centipedes – gross!
Camel crickets aren’t bad – but, centipedes, venomous and ewww.
TanyaK says
February 17, 2009 at 12:35 pmDidn’t give birth to it, it doesn’t pay rent…BYE!
Owengirl79 says
February 17, 2009 at 12:37 pmRoaches, mosquitoes…dead. Others go outside unless they refuse cooperation.
chocolatechic says
February 17, 2009 at 12:42 pmScream for husband, yell ‘die…die…die’ whilst he murders.
Auds at Barking Mad says
February 17, 2009 at 12:42 pmScream loudly and then squish and squash until completely DEAD!
Kris says
February 17, 2009 at 12:43 pmKids and husband call for me to squish them dead.
Reeb says
February 17, 2009 at 12:44 pmCup, cup-cover, chase, outdoors. Even yellow jackets. We’re nature huggers.
Scottsdale Girl says
February 17, 2009 at 12:46 pmThe cats are my exterminators, no bugs here.
Reeb says
February 17, 2009 at 12:47 pmGiant subtropical cockroaches: leave the room. They fly at you. Creepy.
(Sorry, eleven. Good thing I’m being restrained to eleven. Could write an essay on those tree roaches. Ew. In Houston, I did NOT hug them.)
Tricia says
February 17, 2009 at 12:47 pmThe House spiders can stay mostly. They live here, too.
Gina says
February 17, 2009 at 12:50 pmI capture/kill most bugs, but spiders make me cry.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
February 17, 2009 at 12:53 pmAnts and roaches get RAID.
All others tolerated or relocated.
Jean says
February 17, 2009 at 12:54 pmSlam shoe down hard enough so sound overwhelms bug crunching!
Bobbie says
February 17, 2009 at 12:56 pmUsed to love, love, love to scare arachnophobic older sister!
SnowWhitemommy says
February 17, 2009 at 1:11 pmCall youngest child…….our animal planet lover with bug tools!
Shawn/Lifeatbuttercupfarm says
February 17, 2009 at 1:13 pmMontessori taught kids to love all bugs husband hires exterminator!
Peg says
February 17, 2009 at 1:15 pmCan’t kill crickets, that’s bad luck. Usher them back outside.
hollygee says
February 17, 2009 at 1:15 pmOut, out, damn bug.
He does it if home, otherwise me.
Catherine McP says
February 17, 2009 at 1:19 pmI live in the desert. No species can be inside!
Franca Bollo says
February 17, 2009 at 1:21 pm1. Very few Buddhists among Bossy’s commenters. Franca passes no judgment.
2. Spiders: shown the door. Ants: ignored. Flies: flattened. Franca: conflicted
POD says
February 17, 2009 at 1:26 pmSuck it up. Release outside unharmed. Could be the Buddha.
Andi says
February 17, 2009 at 1:27 pmRaid or anything in aerosol, even lysol. Goodbye, clean bug.
Acher says
February 17, 2009 at 1:29 pmBugs have no chance with crazy cat and hound dogs!
bdaiss says
February 17, 2009 at 1:31 pmBe very glad to live in area with few bugs!
Maren says
February 17, 2009 at 1:36 pmbees=hairspray, flyswatter. Magazine, loud humming/singing to mask crunch.
David says
February 17, 2009 at 1:50 pmSolo or in groups? Solos are repatriated. Groups are eliminated.
kate says
February 17, 2009 at 1:53 pmi calmly step away, call u-hail, and then move.
(it’s a katydid) (just saying)
Tracy says
February 17, 2009 at 1:54 pmIf possible, call husband to save the day. Otherwise, splat.
carson says
February 17, 2009 at 1:56 pmMy cats appreciate the little extra protein in their diets.
Grandma J says
February 17, 2009 at 1:58 pmfreeze with hairspray, take outside, other bugs eat dead-like bug.
Bluebelle says
February 17, 2009 at 2:02 pmCapture in glass, realise door is closed, open door – throw!
Jill says
February 17, 2009 at 2:03 pmDistract my toddler daughter, then throw a heavy shoe. Hard.
Steph says
February 17, 2009 at 2:04 pmLeave or set free. Exceptions: roaches, mosquitos, ants, poisonous spiders.
Lo says
February 17, 2009 at 2:05 pmName bug and keep for pet. (you don’t believe me?)
The Cheap Chick says
February 17, 2009 at 2:05 pmMust kill all bugs dead, dead I say, dead. DEAD.
The Cheap Chick says
February 17, 2009 at 2:06 pmBecause I really and truly hate all bugs. Sorry, folks.
Avitable says
February 17, 2009 at 2:06 pmIt probably laid eggs in your brain while you slept.
Steph says
February 17, 2009 at 2:09 pmNever squash spiders. Might have baby sac. Then millions. Eeeeeeew!
Ris says
February 17, 2009 at 2:11 pmNot even kidding, I put a cup over them and wait for someone else to take care of them. When I moved in by myself this became somewhat of a problem, but luckily my best friend (and former roommate, thus she was aware of this problem) would come over and take care of them. Now it is my boyfriend’s job. If you see a cup turned upside-down in my house, don’t pick it up unless you want to be on bug-removal duty.
Emily says
February 17, 2009 at 2:12 pmCollege days cricket plagues pushed me to cricket crunching. Oy vey.
Michelle says
February 17, 2009 at 2:18 pmMy fiance puts them outside, against my pleas for death sentences.
BOSSY says
February 17, 2009 at 2:25 pmOh, and Bossy can’t handle bees. They wait for husband.
Chrissy says
February 17, 2009 at 2:27 pmThat there looks like a cave cricket.
christina in the middle says
February 17, 2009 at 2:27 pmSpiders cohabitate happily; ants squished. All others: husband transports outside.
Kait says
February 17, 2009 at 2:30 pmIn my house – must die!
Put outside – they come back!
Beth says
February 17, 2009 at 2:30 pmChubby Hubby Huffs to Rescue. Shakes head in absolute disgust.
jp says
February 17, 2009 at 2:36 pmTICKS, Always die painful death, all others, no Prob!
YAK!!!!!
amberstar says
February 17, 2009 at 2:46 pmGiant soaring roaches and spiders splat all the rest outside.
jeri says
February 17, 2009 at 2:48 pmyell for dog and point..she eats everything..even mice..
jeri says
February 17, 2009 at 2:49 pmfor the record she just catches mice then we take away..
Trenches of Mommyhood says
February 17, 2009 at 2:55 pmI have boyz. They stomp bugs even with bare feet!
Alissa says
February 17, 2009 at 2:59 pmSurvival of the fittest. Sometimes the cats get them.
Heide says
February 17, 2009 at 3:03 pmMosquitoes, roaches, centipedes, black widow spiders: crunch. Others get liberated.
Joie says
February 17, 2009 at 3:11 pmI am not afraid but they get sprayed with Raid.
Cathy says
February 17, 2009 at 3:13 pmI am the big bad black bug bully that bites. (not really)
ali the lazy dog says
February 17, 2009 at 3:16 pmScorpions caught on glue trap, take a picture and blog it!
karen l says
February 17, 2009 at 3:18 pmhairspray flying bugs (smells nice!) – AW – just call me bigfoot!
Aimee says
February 17, 2009 at 3:20 pmMichigan’s too cold for gross bugs. Big dog eats most bugs.
Jacqui says
February 17, 2009 at 3:20 pmLecture children on value of life. Kids distracted? Stomp stomp.
rockle says
February 17, 2009 at 3:34 pmWe have cats. “Found” bugs are usually “semi digested” bugs.
Suzanne says
February 17, 2009 at 3:41 pmScoop onto paper, set free outdoors. Hop Cricket Hop quickly!
ritabby says
February 17, 2009 at 3:41 pmSpider on laptop. Night. Freak out. Throw laptop across room.
heyjoe says
February 17, 2009 at 3:44 pmSquash, mash, crunch, smunch, sploosh, splat, munch, blot them dead.
Kristine says
February 17, 2009 at 3:47 pmStomp roaches, with someone else’s shoe. Other bugs go outside.
Andrea's Sweet Life says
February 17, 2009 at 3:53 pmScoop into pringles can, give live present to Chickens. Yum!
Sharon says
February 17, 2009 at 3:54 pmRoaches and flies killed. Everything else set free. That’s all!
Amanda says
February 17, 2009 at 4:02 pmGasp. Squish. Smack. Squeel. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Scoop. Fling. Sigh.
Stimey says
February 17, 2009 at 4:05 pmI’ve been known to call in neighbors to help me.
Florida Liz says
February 17, 2009 at 4:07 pmColorado used to squish. Now Florida: remove with front loader.
rebekah says
February 17, 2009 at 4:07 pmFive year old son: feed them to his venus flytrap.
other Wendy says
February 17, 2009 at 4:12 pmSince cat’s death, bugs wait for husband. Westie’s not interested.
Liz says
February 17, 2009 at 4:12 pmCrickets are good luck. They, and they alone, are spared.
Eliza says
February 17, 2009 at 4:17 pmI flush or crush, but husband wants me to vaccuum.
merrymishaps says
February 17, 2009 at 4:29 pmIt depends. How scary the bug. How far the door!
Cecily says
February 17, 2009 at 4:52 pmWhen I catch camel crickets in my house I run.
JenKneeBee says
February 17, 2009 at 4:55 pmDepends – I release spiders and squish or spray nastier bugs.
Sarah S says
February 17, 2009 at 5:17 pmI squash the sucker and hope he has no friends!
anne marie in philly says
February 17, 2009 at 5:27 pmset them free, unless they are bees/wasps – get raid!
Unemployed Susan says
February 17, 2009 at 5:31 pmScary-ness of bug determines method of extermination and who exterminates.
SLP says
February 17, 2009 at 5:39 pmRed hourglass…SQUASH…all others get to live another day.
sarah says
February 17, 2009 at 5:42 pmIf my son is watching, outside, if not, sqush em!
Sarah
Seattle, WA
Asthmagirl says
February 17, 2009 at 5:48 pmI kill all bugs, except for moths, then sceam loudly…
kristin says
February 17, 2009 at 6:10 pmThis is one reason I got married. Yay, gender roles!
Just Jamie says
February 17, 2009 at 6:16 pmUse husband’s section of newspaper. Smush. Then put back unknowingly.
steph says
February 17, 2009 at 6:18 pmSwat flies. Free crickets. Leave spiders to do their job.
Amber says
February 17, 2009 at 6:26 pmKill them, except spiders, unless they’re big enough to crunch.
Manic Mommy says
February 17, 2009 at 6:28 pmUnidentified beetles get ziplocked for the hub’s “possible roach” comparison.
Baby Favorite says
February 17, 2009 at 6:52 pmParalyze bug with can of hairspray; move in for the kill.
Jami says
February 17, 2009 at 7:02 pmI take them outside – except roaches. They get squished flat.
Dharmamama says
February 17, 2009 at 7:08 pmExcept for fleas and roaches (spray), they get escorted outside.
linda says
February 17, 2009 at 7:36 pmCarefully place 1972 tupperware glass over bug causing slow death.
Shmoo says
February 17, 2009 at 7:49 pmDyson, never loses suction, dump in trash, get a drink
heels says
February 17, 2009 at 8:08 pmThe Exterminator sprays every month. I’m clearly not a Buddhist.
Lisa says
February 17, 2009 at 8:23 pmScared of bugs, must run away, to gross to stay.
Bush Babe of Granite Glen says
February 17, 2009 at 8:31 pmLook, assess, not deadly, ignore, Deadly, back up and yell!
Sven says
February 17, 2009 at 8:35 pmIf you’ll go without a fight, fine. If not: Mortein.
Bonnie says
February 17, 2009 at 8:42 pmSpiders are lovingly escorted outside and the gnarly cockroach DIES!
kay says
February 17, 2009 at 8:59 pmAll uninvited guests are destroyed. Bipeds only in our house.
Jillian says
February 17, 2009 at 9:15 pmI pin them for my insect collection for entomology class.
Laurie says
February 17, 2009 at 9:24 pmNon-deadly spiders always put outside. Insects – depends on species.
Anne says
February 17, 2009 at 9:25 pmApologize to the dreaded bug and then smash it dead!
Jadielady says
February 17, 2009 at 9:34 pmI set them free to save them from cat Tripsie
Emily says
February 17, 2009 at 9:36 pmDog used to eat crickets, but now I kill them.
The Domestic Goddess says
February 17, 2009 at 9:39 pmCamel Crickets! We get them by the DOZENS in our basements. There’s nothing like stumbling down there first thing in the morning to switch the laundry, flip the light on and have them start jumping all over the freaking place. Ewww….*shiver*
Oh, yeah, ten words: Dog eats them if the husband doesn’t rescue them first.
jenn says
February 17, 2009 at 9:40 pmAnts, I smash without remorse. Anything vaguely cute like ladybugs or crickets, I take outside on a sheet of paper.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
February 17, 2009 at 9:40 pm1. I try to be humane, after I scream bloody murder.
—–
2. Even so, there’s a special place in hell for ants.
swistle says
February 17, 2009 at 10:23 pmI don’t like saying I flush them. So I won’t.
hana says
February 17, 2009 at 10:46 pmBugs are forever; unfortunately in the news, Saturns are not
🙁
Donalyn says
February 17, 2009 at 11:10 pmSpiders
crushed to death
by me
husband not motivated enough.
Heidi says
February 17, 2009 at 11:20 pmBugs get smothered in whatever cleaning product I have near.
Tenntrace says
February 17, 2009 at 11:21 pmScream loud.
Hubby comes to rescue –
Knows that’s his job!
Christina says
February 17, 2009 at 11:54 pmRoaches must die, if I must do it I will.
Jeri says
February 17, 2009 at 11:59 pmusually take outside but sometimes suck them up with vaccuum
HAGERDASH says
February 18, 2009 at 2:47 amNever ever do I squash non-ant crawly critters. Even squashing ants makes me sad. But when I’m outnumbered by hundreds of the little buggers, what else can I do? Non-ants aside, I catch and release, and if a fragile leg or antennae thing happens to get broken off, causing the captured buggie to die, my heart weeps. And then I promise the bug kingdom that I’ll be extra mindful of their appendages next time around.
Maria says
February 18, 2009 at 2:51 amreleased into the wild (ha that was four. d’oh ten)
patti J. Fuhrman says
February 18, 2009 at 3:11 ampraying mantis gets a ride outside
spider smashed into goo
Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy says
February 18, 2009 at 3:16 amOutside, they live. Inside they are terminate. Black Widows? Torched.
Victoria says
February 18, 2009 at 3:17 amSome are ignored. Spiders go back outside. Silverfish get squished.
lesliereid says
February 18, 2009 at 3:51 amLysol the dangerous and annoying; release or ignore the others.
Kelly @ tanasattic says
February 18, 2009 at 5:38 amCat runs and hides so i must escort bugs outside
Beth says
February 18, 2009 at 5:48 amI hate spiders. Thank God for the vacuum.
Sandy_Shoes says
February 18, 2009 at 1:31 pmIt is a cave cricket or AKA camelback cricket. I used to live on Camelback Circle and the house had tons of them. I did just what you are doing in the picture until hubby got home.
muskrat says
February 18, 2009 at 2:13 pmI roll them into little balls and toss them out.
Teri says
February 18, 2009 at 2:14 pm1) It’s my house, not yours. Out or die. You decide.
2)You feelin’ lucky, punk? Go ahead, make my day. Squish!
Caroline Wright says
February 18, 2009 at 4:46 pmGiant cane spiders, 8″ poison centipedes: Me. Husband’s shoe. BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM!
Stacy (mama-om) says
February 18, 2009 at 4:57 pmWe live with them, set them free, sometimes accidentally squish.
Alana says
February 18, 2009 at 5:43 pmPay exterminator to rid house of Texas roaches; I’m terrified!
Sparx says
February 18, 2009 at 7:49 pmI’m a big softy so they all get put outside.
Reeb says
February 18, 2009 at 8:53 pmA tip: Fleabusters house treatment also deletes cockroaches. Whole year!
Enrico says
February 19, 2009 at 12:50 pmI ALWAYS let them out; a life is a life.
Kimi says
February 19, 2009 at 3:16 pmI make my husband smack them with his yellow flyswatter.
Karen (submommy) says
February 19, 2009 at 3:50 pmIf bugs cross my threshold they are risking their lives.
Manic Mommy says
February 19, 2009 at 6:11 pmI really thought I was the only one to go for anything in an aerosol.
I’m thanking God for regular sized centepeids, spiders, and ants. Your stories are scaring me!
Gette says
February 20, 2009 at 7:48 pmHave to kill spiders for husband. Tissue, flush or toss.
Kerri Anne says
February 20, 2009 at 10:37 pmChris screams = spiders are seen. No (big) cockroaches here, though.
LINDA says
February 22, 2009 at 9:59 pmAPPROPRIATE SIZED MEAS. CUP, OLD POSTCARD, SLIDING DOOR, RUN!!!!