Do you think stepping on bugs is wrong - why or why not?

[YmirGF]

Agreed in the grand scheme of things there may be no "lasting value". But why is lasting value important? if you are important for that singular moment you are alive. Who cares if you are important a millennia later. If it lives, I show it respect. If it presents a danger, I defend myself or others.

Well, I suppose you are right in some respects, I just don't think of it in terms of respect.

For the most part, I'm a live and let live, kind 'o' guy ... unless you are bug crossing my path then that "deal" kicks in and Shiva emerges.

 

[ChristineES]

Do you let ants run amock in your house or do you put out traps? If you were to find a rat or a mouse in your home, would you call an exterminator or would you just let run around and take up residence or would you buy a cat and the cat do your "dirty work"? I believe in the sanctity of life, but caring about insects and bugs and rodents is just being a little too ridiculous. (No, I don't go out of my way to step on bugs, I don't put salt out on rainy days to kill slugs and snails, etc.)

 

[YmirGF]

Do you let ants run amock in your house or do you put out traps? If you were to find a rat or a mouse in your home, would you call an exterminator or would you just let run around and take up residence or would you buy a cat and the cat do your "dirty work"? I believe in the sanctity of life, but caring about insects and bugs and rodents is just being a little too ridiculous. (No, I don't go out of my way to step on bugs, I don't put salt out on rainy days to kill slugs and snails, etc.)

We had a huge Virgina Creeper vine that covered the whole front roof of the house. It was utterly splendid. THEN... *sinister music starts up* the Carpenter ants arrived on glorious day. They are BIG... and cruchy... icky too. I had to get on the roof, remove the 200 feet of vine and take it away for the deer to eat ravinously. THEN, and only then, would the Anti-Pest folks come and spray their "environmentally friendly" witches brew.

Life Lesson: Vines are gorgeous... just don't let them onto your house.

 

[The Hammer]

Do you let ants run amock in your house or do you put out traps? If you were to find a rat or a mouse in your home, would you call an exterminator or would you just let run around and take up residence or would you buy a cat and the cat do your "dirty work"? I believe in the sanctity of life, but caring about insects and bugs and rodents is just being a little too ridiculous. (No, I don't go out of my way to step on bugs, I don't put salt out on rainy days to kill slugs and snails, etc.)

I don't let the ants in my house. I place natural repellents (citrus oil, and Cayenne pepper) around my door frames, window sills and cracks, it keeps ants outside. If they manage to get in, yes, I will kill them. But it's out of a necessity.

If I were to find a rat or a mouse in my house, I would get a non-lethal trap, and then I would set the rat/mouse outside, away from my residence.

I don't see how caring about life is ridiculous.

 

[ChristineES]

I don't let the ants in my house. I place natural repellents (citrus oil, and Cayenne pepper) around my door frames, window sills and cracks, it keeps ants outside. If they manage to get in, yes, I will kill them. But it's out of a necessity.

If I were to find a rat or a mouse in my house, I would get a non-lethal trap, and then I would set the rat/mouse outside, away from my residence.

I don't see how caring about life is ridiculous.

Why don't you think about it? Anteaters eat ants all the time, cats kill birds, mice, etc. I care about life myself. If you think that calling an exterminator to get rid of cockroaches is not caring about life, then I can't really debate you.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Don't tread on bugs because to a hedgehog they are a tasty snack.

 

[The Hammer]

Why don't you think about it? Anteaters eat ants all the time, cats kill birds, mice, etc. I care about life myself. If you think that calling an exterminator to get rid of cockroaches is not caring about life, then I can't really debate you.

And both of your examples are of creatures that are eating. I do not eat bugs/mice. If I kill an animal for food, then cool, and I am completely ok with that. But killing something just because it is in my home, or annoys me? Why?

EDIT: I am not saying that your decision to kill bugs and mice in your home is wrong, or that I am somehow morally right in what I am doing. All I am saying is my choice is to react differently, and it isn't much more difficult then calling an exterminator.

 

[ChristineES]

And both of your examples are of creatures that are eating. I do not eat bugs/mice. If I kill an animal for food, then cool, and I am completely ok with that. But killing something just because it is in my home, or annoys me? Why?

Health reasons. Mice, rats, etc can carry disease. Cockroaches can make people ill, too. I don't know about ants, if they make people ill. Trust me, I do what I can to redirect them if I can (I haven't had ants in years, fortunately).

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I have spiders in the house, they sometimes come out to watch TV.

 

[The Hammer]

Health reasons. Mice, rats, etc can carry disease. Cockroaches can make people ill, too. I don't know about ants, if they make people ill. Trust me, I do what I can to redirect them if I can (I haven't had ants in years, fortunately).

And the fact that they carry disease is why I said they warrant removal from the home. Not necessarily death. If I have rabies, should I be killed? If a dog has rabies should it be killed? If a rat has rabies should it be killed? If you think a rat may have a disease but there is not indications of it, should it still be killed?

I don't agree with drawing the line between what constitutes a life worth allowing to live and a life worth ending. I prefer to show respect to all forms of life, and do what I can to allow the continuation of it's existence. Yes, sometimes given the situations, killing is inevitable. And I am not going to lose sleep over it. I do what I can first though.

 

[ChristineES]

And the fact that they carry disease is why I said they warrant removal from the home. Not necessarily death. If I have rabies, should I be killed? If a dog has rabies should it be killed? If a rat has rabies should it be killed? If you think a rat may have a disease but there is not indications of it, should it still be killed?

I don't agree with drawing the line between what constitutes a life worth allowing to live and a life worth ending. I prefer to show respect to all forms of life, and do what I can to allow the continuation of it's existence. Yes, sometimes given the situations, killing is inevitable. And I am not going to lose sleep over it. I do what I can first though.

Well, as I said, I don't go out of my way to kill even insects. If I do have to, it is for a reason.

 

[Jainarayan]

Do you let ants run amock in your house or do you put out traps? If you were to find a rat or a mouse in your home, would you call an exterminator or would you just let run around and take up residence or would you buy a cat and the cat do your "dirty work"? I believe in the sanctity of life, but caring about insects and bugs and rodents is just being a little too ridiculous

That's where I draw the line too. If they are disease carrying or destructive creatures I no longer have any compunction about calling Terminix. There was a time, even up about this time last year, when I opposed killing animals. My attic was invaded first by squirrels, then by raccoons trying to get the squirrels. The amount of damage they did came to over $2400. I had a professional come trap them and remove them. It's impossible to get rid of them d.i.y., and it's illegal to relocate them without a license.

Anyway, I told the trapper I did not want them killed. He said that is illegal here anyway. He has a license to relocate them. Then there were some mice. My cat caught one. Now, having changed thinking on a lot of things, I have no qualms about putting rodent poison for the mice, though I haven't seen any mouse activity for a while. Here's why... OK, I don't like glue or snap traps. Cage traps are a death sentence also, because if the mice are released into the woods, they will most likely die. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Now, what I do think is going too far is putting up with, and having to do end runs around, and change your life for animal pests. For example, I read once where a group of people would not destroy a hornet's nest that was right in their path of going in and out of a building. They preferred to do what they could to avoid the hornets and hoped they would move away by themselves. That does not fly with me... 1-800-TERMINIX all the way

(No, I don't go out of my way to step on bugs, I don't put salt out on rainy days to kill slugs and snails, etc.)

Exactly my point... I don't go out of my way.

 

[The Hammer]

Well, as I said, I don't go out of my way to kill even insects. If I do have to, it is for a reason.

Then apparently we agree. Lol.

 

[The Hammer]

That's where I draw the line too. If they are disease carrying or destructive creatures I no longer have any compunction about calling Terminix. There was a time, even up about this time last year, when I opposed killing animals. My attic was invaded first by squirrels, then by raccoons trying to get the squirrels. The amount of damage they did came to over $2400. I had a professional come trap them and remove them. It's impossible to get rid of them d.i.y., and it's illegal to relocate them without a license.

Anyway, I told the trapper I did not want them killed. He said that is illegal here anyway. He has a license to relocate them. Then there were some mice. My cat caught one. Now, having changed thinking on a lot of things, I have no qualms about putting rodent poison for the mice, though I haven't seen any mouse activity for a while. Here's why... OK, I don't like glue or snap traps. Cage traps are a death sentence also, because if the mice are released into the woods, they will most likely die. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Now, what I do think is going too far is putting up with, and having to do end runs around, and change your life for animal pests. For example, I read once where a group of people would not destroy a hornet's nest that was right in their path of going in and out of a building. They preferred to do what they could to avoid the hornets and hoped they would move away by themselves. That does not fly with me... 1-800-TERMINIX all the way



Exactly my point... I don't go out of my way.

I definitely would prefer a non-lethal capturing and relocation. Not sure about the mice if they can or can't survive outside of a home.

With insects in my home, like entire colonies, hives, etc. I would call an exterminator. But a lone spider, or a lone mouse. I can deal with removing them myself.

 

[Jainarayan]

If a dog has rabies should it be killed? If a rat has rabies should it be killed?

Actually yes. Rabies is a horrible disease to have and die from, and the animal will die. There is no cure or "palliative care" for it. In that case I think it's far more humane to euthanize it.

If you think a rat may have a disease but there is not indications of it, should it still be killed?

No, not without being certain. For example, a raccoon that is out an about during the day is most likely not rabid. It's a misconception that raccoons that are active during the day are rabid. Raccoons do hunt and forage during the day. Many perfectly healthy animals do deviate from what people think are the "normal" behaviors.

 

[The Hammer]

Actually yes. Rabies is a horrible disease to have and die from, and the animal will die. There is no cure or "palliative care" for it. In that case I think it's far more humane to euthanize it.

No, not without being certain. For example, a raccoon that is out an about during the day is most likely not rabid. It's a misconception that raccoons that are active during the day are rabid. Raccoons do hunt and forage during the day. Many perfectly healthy animals do deviate from what people think are the "normal" behaviors.

I agree that rabies is bad, but if their are no outward signs (which a lot of times their aren't, not in the early stages), then there is no reason to willy-nilly kill all the rats in your house. Call a pest control service to remove them, or do it yourself.

I mentioned that I don't think I am above killing animals out of necessity. I just choose to do what I can preventatively first, and if I can remove them humanely on my own, I will. Like your raccoon bit, sometimes that isn't possible, and I am ok with calling someone to do it for me.

 

[Jainarayan]

I definitely would prefer a non-lethal capturing and relocation. Not sure about the mice if they can or can't survive outside of a home.

Yeah, I found it hard to believe too. I read that there's a difference between field mice and house mice. It said the field mice will prey on the house mice, but who knows? But there's that cycle of life.

 

[Jainarayan]

I agree that rabies is bad, but if their are no outward signs (which a lot of times their aren't, not in the early stages), then there is no reason to willy-nilly kill all the rats in your house. Call a pest control service to remove them, or do it yourself.

I absolutely agree. That's why I called the wildlife removal service. I trapped and relocated a mother raccoon and her babies years ago. I found out it was illegal to release them, because I am not licensed. Squirrels are immune to virtually every poison anyway, so they have to be trapped. I myself would prefer to drive the mice away. I read also that all you have to do is get some cat litter that is soaked with its urine and put it near the mice's entrance and exit points. If I find any mice, I will do that. I would put it outdoors or in the garage, of course.

I mentioned that I don't think I am above killing animals out of necessity. I just choose to do what I can preventatively first, and if I can remove them humanely on my own, I will. Like your raccoon bit, sometimes that isn't possible, and I am ok with calling someone to do it for me.

Yes, and fortunately here the only time wildlife that's caught can be euthanized is if it's clearly sick beyond hope.

 

[The Hammer]

I absolutely agree. That's why I called the wildlife removal service. I trapped and relocated a mother raccoon and her babies years ago. I found out it was illegal to release them, because I am not licensed. Squirrels are immune to virtually every poison anyway, so they have to be trapped. I myself would prefer to drive the mice away. I read also that all you have to do is get some cat litter that is soaked with its urine and put it near the mice's entrance and exit points. If I find any mice, I will do that. I would put it outdoors or in the garage, of course.

Yes, and fortunately here the only time wildlife that's caught can be euthanized is if it's clearly sick beyond hope.

I have two cats, I won't have mice any time soon lol. And if I need cat litter soaked in urine, I have enough of it free .

That's interesting that it is illegal to release them, but I am sure there is some legitimate reason for it. Ecosystem damage or something like that. They probably over-compete and can drive out certain species from areas, and cause damage to the environment. Or just hop into the next neighbors yard .

EDIT: I never knew that squirrels were impervious to poisons. I knew they were tricky buggers, but I don't personally have too many pest problems. Or maybe I don't see them as pests... I dunno. The worst I had is some gnats killing my Ficus tree, I had to let my soil dry out completely, darn near killing my tree so that they would die.

 

[Jainarayan]

I have two cats, I won't have mice any time soon lol. And if I need cat litter soaked in urine, I have enough of it free .

And for those who don't have a cat or know anyone who has a cat, the other option is snake scat.

Seriously, really, I swear it said that.

Picture it... go into local pet store.

Sales assistant: "Can I help you?"
Customer plagued with mice: "Yes, I'd like 3 lbs of snake crap, if you please".

That's interesting that it is illegal to release them, but I am sure there is some legitimate reason for it. Ecosystem damage or something like that. They probably over-compete and can drive out certain species from areas, and cause damage to the environment. Or just hop into the next neighbors yard .

That is pretty much it. He has a contract with someone who owns huge tracts of wooded land where the animals are released. It also has to do with people's stupidity. One of my neighbors came over while he was loading the caged raccoon into his truck. She said "Oh, you can release it in my backyard, I don't mind them". Yeah, and it would be back in my attic!

He said people actually release them down the street. That's why they keep coming back. A female raccoon has a territory of at least 1-2 miles, a male, at least 5 miles.

I worry for the survival of our species.