The vermin poll.

[rivka]

[Poll #1243857]

What prompted this poll: we saw a mouse in our kitchen this weekend. Mice in our last house got a bit out of control, so we're being alert and taking immediate measures to try to get rid of this one. But although I know that mice can carry disease, I don't really freak out about them. They seem like a normal fact of household life to me. They're a pain, but they don't revolt me.

Then I remembered a post I saw once on mothering.com, which at the time I labeled one of the most unintentionally revealing posts I'd ever seen. It was someone posing a hypothetical situation in which Child Protective Services might make unfair negative judgments about a family: By the time the caseworker shows up Mom decides to be friendly because, of course, she has nothing to hide -- so she invites the worker in for a cup of tea. She pours the tea and they sit chatting ... a moment later the worker picks up her cup to see a roach floating in it.

Mom says, "I'm so sorry -- we've just treated for roaches, but you know how hard it is to get completely rid of them ..." The worker doesn't understand, she's always lived in newer homes: from her perspective, a roach is a sign of a filthy house ...

My first reaction to that post: My house is 168 years old, so I hardly think I'm biased. Serving someone tea in a cup that has a roach in it? Is, in fact, a sign of a filthy house. And if you think that's normal or understandable, there's something wrong with your housekeeping standards. My second reaction, though: Huh, probably there are people out there who would feel the same way about mouse droppings in the back of a kitchen cupboard, which to me is a sign of whoops-but-no-big-deal.

Your thoughts?

Comments

[vito-excalibur.livejournal.com]

The interesting thing about this poll to me is the distinction between "eh, no big deal" and "time to take pest-control measures". To me, the answer would usually be both; as in, it's no big deal to have to take pest-control measures, it's part of the regular upkeep of a dwelling unless you happen to live in an insanely lucky climate.

With regards to roaches; if you live in the south, you will have the occasional roach. Although this is not the way my gut reaction goes: if it's enormous, things are okay. An adult roach has wandered in somehow. If you start seeing little roaches, that's when you're fucked, because you've now got them living in your house and breeding.

And if you treat for roaches, of course, that's when they come out to die. Not that I wouldn't freak the hell out and all, but I could see that happening; especially if your housekeeping is good enough that you don't automatically check dishes as you take them out to make sure there's not crud on them, because your dishes can be assumed to be clean.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

The interesting thing about this poll to me is the distinction between "eh, no big deal" and "time to take pest-control measures". To me, the answer would usually be both; as in, it's no big deal to have to take pest-control measures, it's part of the regular upkeep of a dwelling unless you happen to live in an insanely lucky climate.

Well, for example: we occasionally see stray tiny little ants in the playroom, which opens up onto our garden. If there aren't a lot of them, and they don't seem to be going after something in particular, I just keep my eye out. I figure they wandered in from outside and will wander back out again, and that's usually what happens. That's how I feel about the occasional housefly too. I wouldn't rush out to get poison spray. But if I had ants in the pantry, or a housefly problem, then I would take steps.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Although this is not the way my gut reaction goes: if it's enormous, things are okay. An adult roach has wandered in somehow. If you start seeing little roaches, that's when you're fucked, because you've now got them living in your house and breeding.

My understanding is that the big ones and the little ones are actually different species. The little ones are German cockroaches, which tend to explode into major infestations. The big ones (sometimes called American cockroaches or waterbugs or palmetto bugs) come in from outside and don't tend to infest houses in big numbers.

[txanne.livejournal.com]

That was what I was going to say. German cockroaches: ZOMG FILTH. Tree roaches/palmetto bugs: EEK caused by childhood phobia, but eh, it happens.

[vito-excalibur.livejournal.com]

Can't believe I never knew that. Something new every day, I guess.