House Critters

In America we live in the Southeast, a part of the country well known for creatures--especially insects--around the house. We live with our windows shut, or at least with screens covering every window that is open. If not, in come the mosquitos, gnats, and flies. Termites are kept at bay only with careful construction and regular treatment. Spiders have rich hunting and spin webs in every nook and cranny. Nothing will keep those big Southern cockroaches out. And hanging around outside in the summer? Pass the bug spray.

By a fortunate convergence of climate, location (urban area on top of a hill), and construction, we simply do not have that problem here in Todi. There is not a single screen covering a window of our house, and those windows are open whenever the air is warmer outside than in.

Mosquitos? Maybe a rare bite (but we did have those nasty, nearly invisible sand flies in June). Termites? Don't make me laugh: the climate is dry and wood is used only for interior trim and holding up the roof. Cockroaches? I have yet to see one anywhere in Italy, dead or alive.

That isn't to say we don't have house critters. Occasionally the bats that live in our courtyard will find their way in (and out) through an open window. We have to avoid leaving sugar spills on the counter so we don't get ants. And James did spot this guy on the ceiling:




I'll take a 2-inch gecko over a cockroach any day.

Michael