Fear of Bugs

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Started 2 years ago by Meg
Latest reply from bandicoot
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Meg
Member

I recently found this site and I am really enjoying it so far. The advice and stories from other members are incredibly helpful. I have been prone to clutter my whole life and now I am ready to change.

I am having difficulty getting started for a number of reasons. This one might sound crazy but there are times when I do not want to disturb my clutter because I am afraid there are bugs hiding in various nooks and crannies. I have always been terrified/disgusted by bugs- whether it is roaches, spiders or even ladybugs. I live in a very old building with a known roach problem. It just freaks me out so bad that I can't even address the issue. My neighbor recently moved out because of this problem.

Any advice on how to handle this? An exterminator comes twice a year but that does not seem to help much. Short of stomping on them (ugh- I can't handle that horrible crunch) or making my boyfriend drive over to my house to kill them, I'm at a loss.

Posted 2 years ago #
ArtGal
Member

When we were first married my husband and I unknowingly moved into a roach-infested apartment. Our solution was a vacuum with really strong suction that used bags, not the kind where you see the dirt in the canister. When you suck them up, take the bag, seal it and take it immediately to an outside trash can. You will have to do this each time. I would arm myself with my "weapon" and begin the hunt. You are obviously going to have to begin moving the stuff (and also begin getting rid of the stuff) to get to the bugs or else the problem can't be solved, but with the vacuum in hand it does give you a bit of control and power over the critters. Until the clutter begins to clear, the sprays can't begin to tackle the problem...too many hidey-holes. I feel for you, this is a difficult problem.

Posted 2 years ago #
badkitti
Member

Is it possible to get someone else to move the boxes etc. and empty them onto an outside surface - ao the bugs will rush out if they have any sense. If you have less stuff gradually then less stuff for bugs to hide behind. FWIW I hate spiders and only found one when sorting stuff.

If you get a room empty at a time over a weekend in the sunny weather is there a way to get that room insect proofed as far as possible? I know there will always be insects, but these websites on google have some ideas:

http://www.ridcockroaches.com/how-to-prevent-cockroaches-by-cockroach-proofing-your-house/
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1320/

It does seem that less clutter = less stuff for cock roaches to love and easier to protect your house.

Good luck - let us all know what happens!

Posted 2 years ago #
s
Member

I'm a fan of long sleeves; long pants; and rubber gloves or work gloves. And I like the idea of having the vacuum handy. Even a hand-held vac might be good; just dump it often and outside!

Posted 2 years ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

I don't have any advice, but I wanted to offer my sympathies. It would upset me too.

Posted 2 years ago #
MellieTX
Member

I think the vacuum idea is your best bet. My smpathies as well- I have been known to call a friend to drive across town to kill a roach.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sky
Member

I like the vacuum idea and I use roach motels. The roaches go in and can't come out so you just throw the box away. Also, borax acid tablets in your boxes will kill them and are not toxic to pets, etc.
They really work well.

Posted 2 years ago #
Meg
Member

Thanks for all of the helpful advice and sympathy. I wanted to report that I did clean out my closet last night (with my vacuum close by) and did not find a single roach! I am going to pick up some borax this weekend and give that a try, as well. I am hoping that with less clutter comes fewer bugs!

Posted 2 years ago #
bandicoot
Member

less clutter = less bugs for sure.
i live in the wet tropics, in a very open sort of house with no climate control whatsoever....and far out in the country.
bug heaven.
the huge spiders make me crazy, i am petrified and horrified by them.
the big rainforest cockies, not so much nowadays.
as i have decluttered they have been moving out....there are simply no more hiding places for them any more.

if i was you, i'd arm myself with spray, vacuum and long sleeves and pants as suggested....and i'd just go ruthlessly in and face it.
they are simply icky but they will not actually hurt you.

we buy paper goods in vast bulk for our work and store it in our workshop....i have learned the hard way to get stuff out of the cardboard shipping boxes it arrives in and transfer it to plastic airtight bins pronto.
once you have decluttered and cleaned, you might consider some sort of bin storage too.
it keeps stuff dry and dust free and NO BUGS!!

good luck!

Posted 2 years ago #

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