Bugs In Someone's House

I only feel this way when I see spiders in other people houses and mine...  Here in the Netherlands it seems it's completely normal to see a lot spiders inside your home during this time of the year,   they don't seem to mind it at all!  My mom would freak out, but then again... in my country we have some of the most dangerous spiders in the world,  while in the Netherlands they really don't.  I still find them gross though, specially those weird spider like bugs that have incredibly long legs...  I feel so grossed out if I find them in my towels, clothes or shoes. 

Oh, I had a friend whose house was always dirty.  So there was usually a couple ants in kitchen and sometimes a grasshopper or cricket in the basement.  It always kind of grossed me out to be there.  Even the most perfectly clean house can suddenly have an insect in it.  But really it depends on the insect that it bothers me.  I tend to find spiders worry me the most but I I'm fine with termites during certain times of the year because they migrate.

It happens to me sometimes when I stay at a friend's house and since they don't mind insects or aren't as anxious about them as I am, they would just not notice it or won't care while I just can't stop myself from fixating on it. Most of the time if they do ignore it I will be able to also in some way since I don't want to make too much of a big deal about it. If it gets close I will probably freak out though, either outwardly or just on the inside. 

No, I don't think I would even be anxious if I saw a bug in the house of a friend. Over here there are bugs too, no big deal about it. I think that is a bit overreacting. It's not like the bug was in your food or something, lol. If you seem to be seriously bothered by it then I guess it might be some sort of OCD.

I do sometimes polietly decline visiting a few people becaude of germs. I guess its the thought of not knowing what sort of ways they wash up, clean, etc. 

HappyKoi said:

Have you ever gone to someone's home, were enjoying yourself, and suddenly saw a bug, even something as small as an ant or a fly, and become totally "icked" out, like the whole house was contaminated?  I'm not talking about infestations, but little things.  I know it's over the top, and that flies can get in, and ants come in during the summer, but when I see a bug in someone's house, I start imagining that there are bugs everywhere.  I look around for them, if I feel a tickle I look to see if it's a bug... it's really distracting and I can't enjoy my visit.  I never want to say anything to my friends because I know they're not really slobs, but I can't hide my anxiety completely, and I think they notice.  Does anyone else have the same feelings?

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Yikes!  Yes.  I mean, an occasional spider here and there really can't be helped.  Everyone gets a spider living in a corner or alongside a window.  But ants...or worse yet, BED BUGS.  Now those freak me out.  Whenever I stay at a hotel, I don't care how "classy" its reputation may be, I sleep fully-clothed.  And when I say fully-clothed, I mean every part of my body is covered from head to toe.  I even wear gloves.  :laugh:   That's right.  It just isn't worth the risk - I am HIGHLY-allergic to all bug bites. Don't even get me started on my fear of bees.  It's a true phobia and I literally run for my life whenever I see a bee and my heart starts racing as if somebody is holding a gun to my head.


I had this piece of wood missing from my lower window frame, and mosquitoes were getting in all through the summer.  I finally put a piece of hospital tape right across the missing chunk of wood, and that immediately solved the problem.  But to this day, I'm still constantly worrying that one of the mosquitoes could have bitten my cats, especially my one particular cat that seems to cough and wheeze a little once a day for about 30 seconds.  It's probably an allergy or asthma (change of season).  But nope, my mind is already thinking (and in this order:  Mosquito bit my cat, cat now has heartworm, damaged lungs from the baby worms, difficulty breathing from continuing heartworm infestation, possible death.)  He's sitting right next to me now and purring up a storm, but whenever I see him do that little cough/dry heave...I get into a panic about it.  All because of a few mosquitoes that had gotten into my room this past summer. I pray to God he's okay and this will pass.  It's not as simple as you think just taking him to the vet.  My cats are semi-feral and will turn completely wild if a vet even looks at them.  That's why I'm waiting it out to see if he gets better first, I hate to put him through unnecessary stress that could kill him alone before he even gets checked out.  :wacko:

Oh..Yes, bugs could be really creepy and I am sure all of us hate to see them especially while dining.  But we, as a part of nature, can’t live in isolation and bugs are also part of it.  We can keep them away through hygiene measures.  In fact in modern houses you can’t see a single bug and according to scientists it doesn’t give a healthy sign too.  May be the house is poisonous for them to live due to the presence of heavy chemicals like use of oil paints, sprays etc.  So if a bug is present that means at least the surrounding is suitable for the living beings including humans.  But too many of them really make us crazy and not a good sign either.  They can easily contaminate everything.


I think in your case you should think it in a positive way and start to control your thinking process.  I think something like yoga or meditation can really help you out of this dilemma.  

Iv'e seen no evidence that ants or spiders are a real threat.     For instance, ants are generally only attracted to sugary stuff that lazy people throw on the floor.  Anyhow, I also think laziness is the main culprit for roach infestation, so who is really to blame?


In the end, I think bug paranoia is a silly obsession that borderlines on being weak and perhaps cruel. Note, I don't even see the justification for being scared of bees, wasps, and hornets.  They only sting if they're bothered.

jy76 said:

Iv'e seen no evidence that ants or spiders are a real threat.     For instance, ants are generally only attracted to sugary stuff that lazy people throw on the floor.  Anyhow, I also think laziness is the main culprit for roach infestation, so who is really to blame?


In the end, I think bug paranoia is a silly obsession that borderlines on being weak and perhaps cruel. Note, I don't even see the justification for being scared of bees, wasps, and hornets.  They only sting if they're bothered.

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I agree with you about the bees, wasps and hornets.  The only problem is, sometimes just walking by is enough to get them "bothered."  :laugh:


I'm not lying when I tell you this:  BEES GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO CHASE ME.  I'm always just minding my own business and they always seem to sniff me out and I end up running around like a crazy fool trying to get away from them.  And it could be anywhere, even in a parking lot in front of others.  A bee sting is the gift that keeps on giving. It's not like a quick sting and then it's all over.  It's more like somebody punches you (really hard) with a needle, and then they keep digging the needle in over and over again. And then of course the fun part afterwards, the allergic reaction where your whole leg swells up like a balloon.  Part of the problem might be the color of my car.  My car is bright red, and maybe they just get confused and think it's a huge red flower.  Something attracts them to me, I'm not sure what it is.  My Mom told me to quit wearing coconut perfume.  :wub:  They seem to love it.

I understand Natasha's concern, but I really feel that people are asking to be stung.  For instance, if some person, no offense, goes and throws a rock at a bee hive, then he/she should expect to be chased.  No, I don't really believe people are minding their own business when bees suddenly chase them.