Acclimate – to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation (MW.com)
I am doing every one of the things in that definition. Even though I have lived all over the United States, even in The South before, the Atlanta area seems more and more like a completely foreign place. There are many things I need to become acclimated to here so this will be a short series.
First, let’s talk about the bugs.
We had been in the townhouse about a week with no real bug sightings. All of our belongings had arrived a few days earlier. This of course meant the door was open all day. We were constantly taking cardboard and other recycling outside to the deck – more door being open. We were working most of the day and night on organizing and unpacking. At about 11:00p.m. , we decided it was snacky time. (Note – Unlike breakfast, lunch, or dinner you can’t predict when snacky time will strike. It can happen any place, at any time.)
While standing in the kitchen, deciding what to eat, I saw it lurk out from behind the microwave. Prehistoric, ginormous, and with every intention of terrorizing me. I said, “Jeremy, bug! Giant bug!” Hide your eyes – this is what it looked like.
(Source)
At this point, I exited the kitchen with mumblings of “I can’t believe you brought me to this forsaken, bug infested place.” etc. etc. I commenced Googling at this point. Never do this. If you do, you will assume that you have a bug infestation and should under no circumstance sleep in your home. Since this incident, we’ve really only seen three or four much, much smaller bugs. I still take the following precautions.
Tips:
- I owe my safety and my sanity to these two fellows right here. Captain Raid and Sargent Hot Shot (The Raid gets a higher ranking because it works faster and is deadlier).
- Leave nothing, absolutely nothing out. Jeremy had one dried cranberry left in a bowl and a bug found it.
- Let the Captain create a perimeter around your residence.
- Get a trash can with a lid that really creates a seal. We got this one from Target. Lots of reviewers don’t like it, but I do.
