This humid hot weather that hasn't let up in weeks caused an outbreak in my house. Immediately I went to the first option. When the flea drops, baths and vacuuming didn't seem to be working, I began pathologically testing extermination methods on fleas I caught in jars. Then, they became interesting. And I started doing research. And I came upon flea circuses. Which are amazing. Which of course I had to try.
It is delicate and tricky work. Fleas must be caught and collared with thin wire, just snug enough to not harm or impede them, not loose enough to allow them to escape. I had a lot of mishaps trying to get this just right.
The few that came out right deserved names. I was pretty invested in Boris, Caesar, Greg, and Genevieve.
Then I tried hitching them up to things.
This mini-cooper was too heavy so I tried just wheels. A chariot, in historical flea circus lingo.
That was a little easier. But I soon realized my small troupe was indeed dying off from the poison I'd been treating them with. And here came a strange turn of emotion- in less than a day I went from wishing cruel painful deaths upon all of them, to (sort of) not wanting them to die at all.
I hurriedly tried some other acts I'd read about, including ball rolling and tight rope walking.
But my fleas were clearly weak.
I tried to keep them in jars,
but alas, everyone died.
I am grateful that my house and animals are much more comfortable. And for the reminder that relentless curiosity can turn even the most intense hatred and loathing into compassion and appreciation.
Anybody got any fleas?
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