We have some bugs in the house for some unknown reason... I am going through cleaning like mad. We have flies like crazy!

If a fly has a soul or consciousness who am I to end it's life simply because it causes me irritation?

Hi

Some source I respected  at the time (duhh-I can't recall what/who it was though) said that insects are more like robots than spirits, and that they have no afterlife. Reverence for life, ala St Francis of Asissi or Albert Einstein, is my goal, but I exclude the bugs.

I can sense the spirit of trees and feel I can communicate with larger animals (larger than insects), but I still swat at the six-legged creatures.

Do I dare suggest that you do what feels right ? 

Bets

OK, you guys, stay away from Dude's house - bedbugs, mice, termites, you get the picture.  (kidding).

First off, can I add here that reverence for life is important, but when one looks at nature, really looks, what do you see?  Everything is eating everything else.  I live in the woods.  Bugs constantly eating other bugs.  Frogs eating bugs, snakes eating frogs.  Is this evil?  Of course not.  It is what it is.  Life in the physical world often comes in cycles. 

Why live in a house?  For shelter?  And what if an unwanted animal gets in?  Share the house?  What if it carried disease, or dies naturally in your walls and stinks?  You didn't ask it in.  You tried to have a dwelling that would not be inviting but it got in anyway.  To keep it in your house would not be good for the animal; it is not their natural habitat.  It would not be good for your health and physical well being.

What about killing a person?  You and your loved one are attacked viciously while walking in a park.  You have the chance to defend your loved one, but in the process you must kill the attacker.  Do you worry about incurring bad karma?  Let your loved one be bludgeoned (etc.)?  If not, why not? 

The key aspect of killing is intent.  Is your intent to keep a clean house, and the killing a tragic but necessary part of it?  If so, it is far different to your consciousness and your afterlife experience then if you maliciously seek out animals to destroy for the fun of it.  Intent - this is what matters most.  Is your intent to kill the attacker mentioned in the park, or to defend your loved one (and the killing a tragic byproduct of your defense).

It is foolish to think that we should live in the physical and not protect ourselves from that which would hurt us.  The flu virus kills thousands of Americans each year.  There is a pill called Tamilfu which, if taken early will eradicate the virus.  Is it "wrong" to take Tamiflu then, killing this virus?  Of course not. 

Death is not the end of things - nothing truly dies.  For me, the effect on you and your soul simply comes from intent.  Should you live with a fly infestation in your home?  Will it create negative karma for which you must atone?  Heck no to both questions. 

Matthew

   I also like to save insect creatures instead of killing them. If I discover something like a large spider or centipede, I just put a cup over it and slide a piece of paper or cardboard between the creature and the cup. Then it's out the door time. I would only end the life of something if absolutely necessary.

Hi there,

I live on a farm, and keep horses. This attracts many flies and other vermin, and at times we become overwhelmed by flies within the house. 

On just one fly, they can carry up to 6 million bacteria on their feet, and can contain many diseases and parasites, some of which can be pretty nasty if the bacterium is allowed to grow on food and work surfaces.

Although it is down to ones believes, and choice, I personally would not allow these pests to hang out within my property, and I will use any means necessary to do away with them.

Best wishes
Paul

It does seem that my earlier post seems harsh, but im refering to flies only.

I counted over 200 flies on one fly paper in my kitchen, so it would be difficult for me to catch these in a cup, and card.

When it comes to other insects, spiders, bees (which are very important) these are caught and placed outside. If I had to do this for flies, then I would have to make a career out of it..

Regards
Paul

We have a major moth infestation every summer and I use these traps that give off a scent to the males and they stick to the strip and suffer for hours..maybe days. I'm thinking a quick splat is less cruel...Moths are pretty gross with all the dust they collect on their wings but I've have batted around better ways to rid them, but so far the traps work best but I try to put them out of their misery as quickly as possible.

Well, many Buddhists believe one should not kill any sentient being, which includes ants, flies, mosquitos, etc. However, I know many Buddhists who eat meat, which they may not have killed themselves, but still....  I'm not quite into the "every sentient being was once your mother" as some Buddhists are, but I do try not to kill even insects without a good reason.  I think Matthew expresses my sense of it quite well.