Poor little guys. I will trap and release all bugs, even spiders and centipedes, I find and let them outside away from the house, no hard feelings. And I’m not talking about the sluggish cute little ones, I’m talking the fastest meanest baddies. It took me awhile to get to this point. But when you think about it, they are just hungry little adventurers in a big scary world (not unlike us). It feels really selfish and cruel to decide they must die because they accidentally showed themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. They worked their little legs off every single day of their lives to find food and make it this far, just like us. And I’m just going to end all of that in a violent horrible way because I’m grossed out or scared, when I am how many times bigger than they are? It’s so unfair to them.
If you still want to kill them, try this first: next time you see one, capture it in a clear plastic container. Consider it your pet for the next few minutes or so. Watch their movements, try to feed them, look at how amazing their bodies are built, build them a little habitat. The set them free outside! You’ll understand their perspective a little better and then you’ll be able to empathize next time you see one, maybe enough to let them live.
(Disclaimer: I wouldn’t do this for dangerous or damaging/pest insects)