# What's your most hated type of vermin? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966 "2014-04-12T22:15:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/41 "2014-04-13T15:07:25Z")
Politicians… Okay, serious answer time; Ticks . . . . And politicians, same thing really, disgusting blood sucking disease-vectors, and the ticks are even worse… ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/42 "2014-04-13T16:47:27Z")
Mice are the first, if only because people persist in thinking they’re cute and charming when in reality they’re nasty poop machines who, when not eating or contaminating your food, chew the insulation off electrical wires. Roaches are a close second; I grew up with them because my mother didn’t want the house sprayed and I’m sick of them. I don’t much care for black widows either but they usually stay outdoors and I’m careful around their hiding places. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/43 "2014-04-13T17:48:27Z")
Since non-poisonous was a stipulation, I voted spiders. We have those giant wolf spiders in our area. While they’re mostly harmless, there’s something unnerving about having such large spiders wandering the house in certain seasons. However, my real answer would be wasps (we have yellowjackets in my neck of the woods) or bees. Not only can they seriously hurt you (and even kill) but their nests cause significant problems, like blocking up vents and filling walls full of honey. My wife’s answer would probably be moles. I’m not sure why exactly, but the little mounds they leave all over the yard drive her nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/44 "2014-04-13T17:54:37Z")
Rabbits. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/45 "2014-04-13T21:52:01Z")
Carpenter ants. I had to replace the roof underlayment and rafters on a too-shallowly-pitched for shingles section of our roof shortly after moving into our home. Put metal roof panels on so water would not pool and cause the same problem again. Quite a little time killing the critters, as well as the next generation that hatched. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/46 "2014-04-13T21:57:45Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > How ubiquitous are roaches in NYC? As so many people in the city live in apartment buildings there, are they literally everywhere? Do exterminators just kinda beat them back for awhile and they keep coming back, or are there really any nice, large apartment buildings where there really are no roaches at all? It depends more upon how old the building is than how expensive it is. For example, in my brownstone story above, the apartment was absolutely beautiful and quite pricey, but very old. In a cheaper, newer apartment, roaches would be a lot less common and easier to get rid of. Lots of it also depends on the foundations of the building, and, of course, the cleanliness of your neighbors. A fear of roaches is definitely not a reason to avoid NYC; if you’re really concerned, you can get a newer apartment with good foundations and, before moving in, close up all open pipes, etc, and I’d say you would have a very low chance of getting them. Personally, I’d sacrifice the elegance of an old building for not having roaches (although I guess it depends - some of the prewar ones are seriously awesome). ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/47 "2014-04-14T00:28:51Z")
Wasps can ruin a beautiful day for me. I’m not allergic or anything like that. They’re just mean and seem to truly enjoy terrifying humans. They gather and make homes in our bushes, in the roof, and even our grill last year. I hate them. HATE THEM! I can handle any other sort of bug although I’ll never be a fan of cockroaches. But growing up in the south we all had them occasionally. I love spiders. I don’t even mind bees. Wasps and hornets can just go straight to hell. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/48 "2014-04-14T14:25:01Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, an invasive pest here on the East Coast. They get into everything- I just caught six of 'em in my living room. Indeed! Hate the little buggers. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/49 "2014-04-14T14:49:22Z")
The next thread down is about used car salesmen. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/50 "2014-04-14T14:59:44Z")
Can we get a little love for our feathered friends? Urban pigeons are pretty verminous, and they’re annoying. But I admit, I wouldn’t have voted for them even if they were an option, because cockraoches are the worst. Blecch. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/51 "2014-04-14T15:35:55Z")
Count me as one with an admittedly irrational fear of snakes. Don’t like 'em. At all. Had to dispatch one in my driveway over the weekend. All the while my logical brain was thinking “It’s probably harmless - benefical, even. Yes, it’s near the carport and could get in the house but that’s highly unlikely. Leave it be.” my irrational brain was screaming “It’s a snake, it’s on MY turf, it MUST DIE!”. Irrational always wins that argument. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/52 "2014-04-14T16:59:14Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, an invasive pest here on the East Coast. They get into everything- I just caught six of 'em in my living room. This. I try and stun them with a fly swatter and throw them outside, since I despise the smell they emit, but I had to hurriedly squash one yesterday with a napkin before it crawled out of my reach, and it was a juicy one, and it left a smelly stain on my wall. I wish I knew how the hell they were getting into my house. Now, if we’re talking highest hate per individual vermin, then I’d say rodents. But my encounters with rodents have been rare. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/53 "2014-04-14T19:36:39Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > This. I try and stun them with a fly swatter and throw them outside, since I despise the smell they emit, but I had to hurriedly squash one yesterday with a napkin before it crawled out of my reach, and it was a juicy one, and it left a smelly stain on my wall. I wish I knew how the hell they were getting into my house. > > Now, if we’re talking highest hate per individual vermin, then I’d say rodents. But my encounters with rodents have been rare. If you throw them outside they’ll just come back in, as they seek out the heat. I throw them in the toilet and send them off to be dealt with by the waste treatment gnomes. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/54 "2014-04-14T19:57:53Z")
Whiney liberals who misuse the courts. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/55 "2014-04-14T20:19:10Z")
Snakes creep me the heck out, but for “hatred” I have to give cockroaches the edge. I had a really bad infestation that took me enormous effort and several exterminators to finally get rid of. If I had to choose one of those two species (or categories of species) to eliminate from existence, I’d go with the roaches for sure. ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/56 "2014-04-14T20:57:31Z")
Earwigs. Nasty, disgusting looking, creepy bugs with pincers. Yeck! I hate earwigs. ---
**Author:** ![delsina363](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@delsina363](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delsina363)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/57 "2014-04-14T21:11:34Z")
The worse is roaches. When I was young we lived in the projects, and had them in the house. And centerpedes!!! I HATE rodents. Scare the crap out of me. We have had a few in the house this past year, it was sooo gross. Do not like spiders. Have really no fear of snakes. And I think skunks are cute. I did not see a possum until my early twenties. I was walking down a street in broad daylight, and saw one on a stoop. Scared the living crap out of me. I had no idea what is was, or where it could have came from. Them things are ugly. Beware of raccoons and squirrels. They can be a pain in the butt too. ☹ Oh yeah, when I was young, in overnight camp, one of my fellow campers had a fly get caught in her ear. It was a terrifying scenario. They had to bring her to the hospital to get it out. The doctor put water in to drown it, then used tweezers to get it out. She came back to the cabin that night, happy as a clam, with the dead fly, in a clear container, in water. Scarred me for life!!! When any bug is flying around me, I have a panic attack, and cannot breathe!!☹ Imagine if I came in contact with a flying roach??? I think I would rather be dead, it is to scary to even think about.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/58 "2014-04-14T21:21:32Z")
I like possums. They are ugly, but gentle creatures and are [highly unlikely to be rabies vectors](http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/facts/rabies.html)because their body temperature is higher than most mammals (they’re a marsupial.) For most of 2013 I fed cat food to a neighborhood possum who was so large I called her Fat Butt. If I was quiet and still she would eat from my hand, quite delicately. I also helped a wildlife rehabilitator friend hand-raise a clutch of tiny baby possums a few years ago, they were so ugly they were quite endearing, really. > [@](#): > > Opossums are amazingly resistant to rabies. Hissing, drooling, and swaying are part of the opossum’s bluff routine. It is intended to scare away potential predators, yet it looks just like rabies and is the reason people can be convinced they’re seeing “rabid opossums” when they’re not. Mind you I wouldn’t want possums living in my house. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/59 "2014-04-14T21:22:38Z")
> [@jayrey](#): > > Earwigs. Nasty, disgusting looking, creepy bugs with pincers. Yeck! I hate earwigs. I remember when I was little, my older sister convinced me that earwigs crawl in through people’s ears when they’re asleep and dig with their pincers through the brain. But it’s not hard to figure out why this is a common(ish) misconception - they _look_ like they’re supposed to eat you . . . ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966/60 "2014-04-14T21:52:47Z")
Fleas. Still have major antipathy for them for infesting our cats and home when I was a kid. Now when I am late in giving our current cats their flea medicine, I get such a perverse thrill in catching the MF-ers and and hearing the pop that accompanies me squashing them with the tops of my thumbnails. So good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-most-hated-type-of-vermin/685966.md?page=4)