So, this isn't the sexiest topic, but it needs to be addressed. One of my greatest fears of living in NYC are the inevitable pests that will somehow infiltrate my life. In my mind, every NYC apartment (unless you can afford to live in an uber nice one) comes with its own pests, and that usually includes roaches, mice, and maybe rats. I've talked to a couple friends who have lived in the city, and they've confirmed it somewhat. Maybe no rats or mice, but roaches for sure.
Let me make something clear. I am terrified of roaches. I mean in a "scream, cry, hyperventilate and then check myself into a hotel" kind of terrified. I don't know what it is about them, but they FREAK me out. Crickets are gross, but I can handle them a little better. Spiders don't scare me the way they scare other people. But roaches? *Shudders*
So... is it true? Will I experience roaches and maybe the odd mouse? How do you single ladies COPE with this problem? I know it's not specific to New York City - any major metropolitan area is bound to have its fair share of pests. Even friends in my city have had rat problems, but I have yet to see one myself (thank sweet Jesus).
Seriously, I just googled "roaches" and the images that popped up freaked me out so much that I had to close the window immediately and then jump up and down for about 10 seconds. TERRIFIED.
Oh and rodents? Don't even get me started. When I was in Paris with a friend, we were trying to fall asleep when we heard a rustle in the apartment. Turns out there was a tiny little mouse in one of the trash cans. I was SO HORRIFIED that I started crying and jumped on the bed screaming "I can't do it I can't do it I can't do it." Eventually, my much braver friend Martha picked up the trash can and dumped the mouse outside the window. It's really sad when you think about it b/c we probably injured it, and it probably died a slow painful death, but... I could not handle it.
I'm scared.
Cockroaches don't bother me but I HATE crickets. I think it's the fact that they can jump! We had some in our basement growing up and they terrified me! Would living high up help this at all? I know here in DC the higher up you live the less chance you have of critters co-habitating with you.
ReplyDeleteomg, i totally know what you mean. I cannot handle bugs AT ALL. All i'm saying is sleep with cotton balls in your ears because I'm terrified of those things burrowing in my ear. I can't help here, only share your paralyzing fear. All I know is that I spray the shit out of my apartment even though it is probably killing me slowly. :) Good luck - LOVE the blog!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about New York, but we definitely have rats in Chicago. Not mice. Big, huge rats. I especially see them running across the red line tracks (the subway) and in Lincoln Park. They look like squirrels. I haven't seen many roaches, but I hear they can be bad.
ReplyDeleteOk, so as crazy as all these things make you, can you imagine how terrible it would be if you felt that way about cats and common house flies? I have a literal phobia of these two things. I'm not scared of rats or roaches...I don't like them, but I'm not terrified. If a fly lands on anything around me I have to throw away whatever it is or wash it in boiling water. And a kitty...oh lord, it's beyond embarassing. So...if I can handle my phobias of these two things to get through life you'll overcome the "city slickers." Ha! If you think you see one of the little critters, quickly look away and envision a bunny rabbit, or a ...what else do you like..a kitty? or a very cute puppy dog. My point: don't let this get you too blocked. xo, SA
Love Sallie Ann's post. And how true! I am not excessively squirmish when it comes to rats and roaches, but I hate hate hate pigeons. If they fly or waddle anywhere near me...blech. They're all over the city too. I once saw a guy step on a dead pigeon on the street and NOT EVEN NOTICE! I was horrified. Anyway, you're not going to like this, but yes, rats are a problem. They are ALL over the subway tracks, but when you're up high on the platform, and they're down low on the tracks, it can be kind of fun to watch them scurrying about. Like little hamsters. Usually, that's the only place I see them.
ReplyDeleteOh and like Lauren, I too once believed that if I didn't live in a basement or ground floor apartment, I'd be less likely to get critters. That is, until my OFFICE building had a rat problem, on the TOP floor of one of the highest skyscrapers in New York...
BUT, a good thing about living in the concrete jungle? No mosquitoes!!
Igh, ok so I wasn't a fan of any of those things, but a bit of your freaked-outness has infected me for a minute.
ReplyDeleteI think you're going to have to develop a better coping (and escape) mechanism when you encounter one of those lil buggers! *shudder*
Hmm.. I'm okay with any bug or rodent as long as they don't have rabies.
ReplyDeleteIt's snakes, that kills me.
I think you just have to think about staying in a higher rise floor (5th is the minimum I think), and you won't have a problem
On the 15th floor here, I don't get any bugs.. well, not as many as I would have gotten if I was on the ground floor anyway :)