Tiny Game Hunting

Writer Klein and University of California professor of natural history Wenner here scope out household and garden pests--from ants and cockroaches to fleas, flies and houseplant pests, rabbits and aphids, gophers, beetles and slugs. And they happily take the sting--or bite--out of the subject (who'd really want to read about roaches and slugs?) with restorative wit. Duly noted: ``We especially like the idea of turning cutworms into little wooden mummies.'' And they explain how to do it. Among the environmentally friendly, homemade remedies recommended, bug juice, they allow, has created ``some controversy . . . probably because it is so inherently disgusting.'' (The authors wisely suggest recruiting for this purpose a blender that is no longer in use in the kitchen.) But more ``tasteful'' sprays are also heralded--garlic, mint--in the battle with aphids and cabbageworms. Any and all information on cockroaches will be appreciated by city dwellers, including keeping a gecko, a tropical lizard ``said to be able to clear an apartment of roaches in a few weeks.'' Illustrated. (July)