Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and love is in the air… But so are insects! While we probably won’t see a lot of mosquitoes for a few more weeks, cockroaches in Florida know no season. Except mating season! Just kidding – they pretty much do that year-round too. So why are we talking about roaches and romance today?

When we think of Valentine’s Day, it can go one of two ways. Some folks are excited and see love everywhere because they’re in a relationship. Then there are the others. Maybe we’re not in a relationship. Or maybe we just got out of one. Maybe our former significant other took advantage of “Red Tuesday,” leaving us with the opposite opinion of affection and connection.

Blame It on The Zoo

If that speaks to you, you’ll want to check out the San Antonio Zoo’s “Cry Me a Cockroach.” The popular fundraiser lets you ex-terminate the past by naming a roach after your former flame and knowing it will be devoured by the cold heart of a reptile. They even provide you a digital Valentine’s Day card so you can ‘share the love.’

If you’re ex is a real rat, you can pony up a larger donation and have a rodent named after them that will be swallowed by one of the serpents housed at the San Antonio Zoo. They also offer a veggie option.

On the lighter side, you can snatch up a virtual kiss-o-gram – a video that gets you up close and personal with an affectionate kangaroo, sloth, or giraffe. You can also get your night started out right with a scented candle featuring the most arousing aroma in the jungle, courtesy of Timothy the Hippo.

We’ve Got a Roach for That

This marks the 14^th year of the Bronx Zoo celebrating Valentine’s Day by letting donors name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after someone they love. The popular fundraiser started in 2011 and now comes complete with a printable certificate, suitable for framing. People who are really into the romantic roach can also grab merchandise – a beanie, a belt bag, or even a cuddly plush cockroach.

But that’s not all. You can also schedule a Valentine’s Virtual encounter with your cockroach and a surprise animal guest as the entomologists at the zoo explain the care and feeding of cockroaches.

It’s too late to book a trip, but if you want to plan ahead for next year, you can stop by the Bronx Zoo and have an in-person roach encounter. They also offer an after-hours date night for two to learn about the importance of insects in farming cocoa and making chocolate. It includes wine and special chocolate treats.

Crunchy Chocolate Goodness

Speaking of chocolate treats, did you know chocolate can be good for your heart? It all depends on what you dip in it. Recent studies have found the most beneficial candy for your well-being may be chocolate covered cricket chitin!

Outside of America, it’s well-known that some insects are higher in protein and other nutrients than the beef, pork, or chicken we favor. Crickets in particular are popular in eastern Asian countries for their health benefits and being easier to farm. Chitin is the exoskeleton or outside covering of the cricket.

Researchers in Colorado found that chocolate covered cricket chitin helps with irritable bowel syndrome and other gut issues. The higher density of protein and omega-3 fatty acids also helps promote better heart and mental health. They even found a way to make it easier to swallow – by using the chitin, with no spines, legs or antennae – or any discernable flavor of its own. It just tastes like the fancy chocolate it’s covered with.

However you chose to celebrate – or ignore – Valentine’s Day, it’s never too early to get your home prepared for our long, sub-tropical summer. Roaches are fine behind glass at the zoo or food for the lizards. But you don’t want them in your home. Our Go Green Perimeter Plus handles roaches, spiders, silverfish and ants – while being safe for the environment and your family. For more details, or to schedule your first appointment, please give us a call!