DEAR Jasminda,

My new flatmate has an aversion to creepy crawlies whereas I’m a live and let live sort of person.

How can I convince her that bugs and insects have a right to survive too?

Adele B.

Dear Adele,

We need insects. There’s no doubt about it.

They play a huge role, not least as pollinators and decomposers.

I’ve always found it amusing that people are petrified of bugs but not petrified of the health risks when spraying enough contaminants to rival Fukushima.

There are some natural alternatives to fly/mosquito spray – citronella is a popular choice.

If it’s a spider that’s causing the issue, you can simply get it to crawl onto a piece of paper or enclose it in a jar and then take it outside where it will do a great job of keeping other bugs at bay.

Cockroaches are natural composters, but I’ll admit I don’t like seeing them scuttling across the floorboards.

Check for any places they might be sneaking in (in our house that would be the front door, since apparently our children were born in a tent), keep your kitchen clean and free of food scraps, and don’t have composting systems too close to your house otherwise you’ll make them think they are welcome guests.

Carpe diem,
Jasminda.