Killing Pests

[seren88]

Hello everyone!

This might seem like such a bizzare question to ask, but there seem to be human encyclopaedia's here who are able to link super helpful channeling/quotes and I am hoping someone could help me out here. 

Personal opinions also welcome! 

Since I was a kid I've been a huge animal lover and never squished anything that came into the house, spiders, wasps etc. I would catch them and take them outside. When I was 16 I worked in a clothes shop and we had a mouse issue. I came to work one day and found they laid those really horrible mouse traps all around the shop where they decapitate them, I begged my boss to let me leave the till so I could try and save them, I was determined I could catch them. She agreed, and I did manage to catch at least 3 or 4 with my hands and a towel and set them free in another part of town. 

(Just giving some context as to where this question comes from). 

Over the last few years I've been learning how to garden, I have all potted plants outside, and lots of house plants. I try and use all natural pesticides etc where I can, but I've battled with various infestations..........OH HOW I DESPISE SLUGS AND SNAILS (I try not to, but their destructive power is immense, not to mention they are gross), but still I have fought with not wanting to kill them as they have every right to be alive. I tried natural repellers, everything, losing several of my plants in the process. I just had to give up and use those horrid pellets to get on top of them. I was also worried about the birds eating them so I tried to send out an intention in my garden, warning the birds not to eat them. 

Ants are another issue, and in my house I've got a serious battle with gnats in my house plants and Im constantly killing them by various means, or they will destroy my plants. 

I don't like killing anything, but I have to in order to keep my plants alive. 

Am I building karma by doing this? 

I try and say sorry every time I kill something, but I'm not always present and sometimes I am just really annoyed when I do the fateful 'squish'. 

I'm sorry this isn't a very 'thought provoking spiritual topic' but it really bothers me. 

You can imagine the kind of responses I get from most people..................

**Edit**: I have read about trying to connect with them and asking them to stay away/meditation to try and an establish a connection...............I'm not any good at it clearly, this does not work for me.


Thanks!