Pests contaminate our food, damage buildings, and give us the creeps. They carry diseases, cause fire hazards, constantly reminding us to pay attention to sanitation and garbage control. However, despite all of this, some people refuse to trap, bait, and kill them.
Recently, Gheetan Chana made a Facebook post about the time he caught a mouse and decided to let it go. After the man described the conflicting feelings he experienced at the time, others started responding with similar stories of their own. Pretty soon, a wholesome discussion on the value of life emerged, and if that isn’t the beauty of the internet, I don’t know what is.
More info: Facebook
Image credits: Gheetan Chana
Interestingly, a species can be a pest in one area but beneficial or even domesticated in another (for example, when European rabbits were introduced to Australia, they started causing ecological damage beyond the scale they inflicted in their natural habitat). Many weeds are also valued under certain conditions but feared elsewhere, for instance, Patterson’s curse is seen as food for honeybees and as a wildflower, even though it can and sometimes does poison livestock.
Here’s what people said about these efforts
Great. I'm sick to death of people who think "It's my property, so I have the right to kill any creature that comes into it." No other creature has the concept of property and they are mostly getting on with their lives peacefully. Too many people have this notion that we own the world and everything is at our mercy, when most of these creatures had evolved before we did.
There might be people who think like this and that's not good. But mainly the real reason we freak out and want these pests away from our homes is because you don't know where they come from and what disease they bring. Any animal that's been in the sewers is very likely to be contaminated, and rats are well known for this. Another reason is, when you have a garden, where you grow your own food, they can be nasty little thieves. Now, surely they look cute, but this is the reality.
Rats do get a bit of an unfair rap though. Starting with the black death. It's now considered most likely that it was humans that spread that. Sewers and rats are not a happy combination but most of the diseases that humans catch are still spread by humans. Not all, I know, but heck of a lot.
I don't even mind sharing food from my garden but I've gotten sick while working in my vegetable garden because of diseases likely deposited in the feces and urine of tree rats, racoons, opossums, skunks, etc. Zoonotic diseases are no joke.
and yet Daria B, people are willing to adopt stray cats & dogs & bunnies & hamsters & guinea pigs etc..... Same premise (don't know where they're from, or if they have disease), yet a totally different reaction (ie their first thought isn't to kill them out of fear of the unknown)
It's like seeing your Doctor in WalMart. Too hard for the brain to compute.
Enjoy your hanta virus, tularemia, yersinia pestis, toxoplasmosis, tapeworms, meningitis ... Also, most creatures will attack other species that invade their home. Put your finger in a wasp's nest or viper's den and let me know if they let you peacefully co-exist in their space. I'm all for humanly removing and relocating where possible, but repeat offenders and insects (ants, fleas, roaches, etc.) get no mercy. The health and safety of my family (esp my fur-babies) takes precedence.
Porcupine, simple hand washing will not prevent the spread of some diseases WillemPenn mentioned. Just look up hanta virus for an example. If zoonotic diseases were so easy to avoid, there would not be cities under quarantine in China right now.
Wash your hands...?
There are many animals that will fight over territory, just look at the hippo. They will fight even to the death if necessary over territory and what’s worse they are herbivores.
actually its proven hippos are omnivores
That is not the same as how we think of our properties. You're talking about a totally different thing between the same species. I'm sure they don't step on any little creature that they see in their territory.
Alpha puck, she did say something similar to you, but she said it politely. She wasn't rude about it.
That's not the same. Animals fight over territory because in the wild it's really harsh. You have to keep your area safe to keep the food and water for yourself. A majority of humans don't have this problem.
Alpha puck, what do you mean on the same level as animals? If you look at the food chain, you may realize we are animals. We may be smarter, but I doubt you could survive in the desert for a week without water like a camel. Respect the animals.
Kathrine Rux, well how about that, I did not know thank you.
Tiny Dynamine they do not just attack their own species. I have seen videos of hippos attacking a crocodile, buffalo, baby elephant, lion, rhino and an antelope. They have even attacked and killed humans.
@Tiny Dynamite, Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They intentionally capsize boats passing in the rivers they live in for one. Hippos, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants kill more people than lions do. They attack other animals too.
This. But there's even no need to go so far into the kingdom of exotic animals. Just take a look at cats. They're very territorial.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I like how Foxxy said the same thing I did, but I got voted down. Lol
I agree with you except for spiders. I will kill any spider I see. Ok let me rephrase that... I will make my hubby kill any spider I see as I am a total arachnophobe!!! They have the whole backyard so they don't need to be in my house for any reason whatsoever!!!
Keri, there are other insects that I prefer such as Praying Mantises to keep the nasties away such as spiders. Just because I don't like spiders and have a real fear of them (I was bit by a black widow when I was younger) doesn't mean I don't find other life precious. It's not an all or nothing type of thing. I do agree with the OP, just not with you.
Mama panda - I can hear that. I catch and release spiders myself, but I've never had a bad interaction with one. However I have a particular fear of maggots (yes I know everyone hates them in general) but I cry and freak and run away I can't breathe...if that's how you feel about spiders I totally get it :( praying mantis, Venus fly traps, lots of alternatives to spiders ^-^ I must say spiders do a good job though. I do catch and release once they get big, but babies can stay
I only do this if it is a bug that I can't get out.
People are entitled as shit, even entitled to other people’s lives just for existing. It’s so gross.
@Kerry DA humans drew the food chain because we can draw. I dont see mice drawing and sending people to the moon. Being a human I get whatever tools I can personally make at my disposal. But if you want to play your stupid game, then the lion doesnt get thousands of years of evolution to have sharp teeth or claws or the muscle mass that it has.
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Oh they dont? Is that way animals will also fight to the death over property, dens, females, food, etc? You look down the food chain its the same thing. We are at the top. Its offensive to hear that you think we are on the same levels as animals.
Humans drew the food chain and drew us at the top because we've given ourselves ability to kill everything. I'd like to see you have a stand-off with a lion with no man made tools at your side and see what nature thinks of you being "at the top"
We (humans) are animals....
You sound like you need a safe space.
I have four cats. Mice may check in, but they never leave.
For some reason that reminds of my mother telling me about a cat she had as a child - totally useless and couldn't have caught a mouse if it sat still and waited for him. She said you could hear him galumph his way up the garden. Clumsy but lovable.
I hope one of your cats is called Hotel and another California ;-)
I've rescued and relocated a few birds..but sometimes I'm too late. My cat left a dead hummingbird in my dining room 2 days ago. His best cath was a lizard about 5 inches in length not included the tail, found in behind my husband's guitar equipment and thought I was gonna have a heart attack, then I was just sad.
This is me, if I find a bug in my house I will try to not kill it and let it go outdoors.
Same here. :) In fact, I will never kill it but try to guide flies to the open windows, etc.
I usually try to as well but dear lord if there is a spider or large bug somewhere and it surprises me (ex. Once I pulled a tissue out of a box and held it up to my face for a few seconds before I realized there was a large wolf spider on it) I'm sorry but they are usually smacked out of reflex :(
What about bedbugs? Or lice? Or fleas? Or ticks?
I'll kill flies no problem, but I never kill spiders.
Me too, though with some sad exceptions. I have never figured out how to relocate ants or wasp nests. Wish I could.
Oh no need to relocate the nests! Just your home....... lol I am so scared of wasps
You must not live in an area with stink bugs! They must die!
Great. I'm sick to death of people who think "It's my property, so I have the right to kill any creature that comes into it." No other creature has the concept of property and they are mostly getting on with their lives peacefully. Too many people have this notion that we own the world and everything is at our mercy, when most of these creatures had evolved before we did.
There might be people who think like this and that's not good. But mainly the real reason we freak out and want these pests away from our homes is because you don't know where they come from and what disease they bring. Any animal that's been in the sewers is very likely to be contaminated, and rats are well known for this. Another reason is, when you have a garden, where you grow your own food, they can be nasty little thieves. Now, surely they look cute, but this is the reality.
Rats do get a bit of an unfair rap though. Starting with the black death. It's now considered most likely that it was humans that spread that. Sewers and rats are not a happy combination but most of the diseases that humans catch are still spread by humans. Not all, I know, but heck of a lot.
I don't even mind sharing food from my garden but I've gotten sick while working in my vegetable garden because of diseases likely deposited in the feces and urine of tree rats, racoons, opossums, skunks, etc. Zoonotic diseases are no joke.
and yet Daria B, people are willing to adopt stray cats & dogs & bunnies & hamsters & guinea pigs etc..... Same premise (don't know where they're from, or if they have disease), yet a totally different reaction (ie their first thought isn't to kill them out of fear of the unknown)
It's like seeing your Doctor in WalMart. Too hard for the brain to compute.
Enjoy your hanta virus, tularemia, yersinia pestis, toxoplasmosis, tapeworms, meningitis ... Also, most creatures will attack other species that invade their home. Put your finger in a wasp's nest or viper's den and let me know if they let you peacefully co-exist in their space. I'm all for humanly removing and relocating where possible, but repeat offenders and insects (ants, fleas, roaches, etc.) get no mercy. The health and safety of my family (esp my fur-babies) takes precedence.
Porcupine, simple hand washing will not prevent the spread of some diseases WillemPenn mentioned. Just look up hanta virus for an example. If zoonotic diseases were so easy to avoid, there would not be cities under quarantine in China right now.
Wash your hands...?
There are many animals that will fight over territory, just look at the hippo. They will fight even to the death if necessary over territory and what’s worse they are herbivores.
actually its proven hippos are omnivores
That is not the same as how we think of our properties. You're talking about a totally different thing between the same species. I'm sure they don't step on any little creature that they see in their territory.
Alpha puck, she did say something similar to you, but she said it politely. She wasn't rude about it.
That's not the same. Animals fight over territory because in the wild it's really harsh. You have to keep your area safe to keep the food and water for yourself. A majority of humans don't have this problem.
Alpha puck, what do you mean on the same level as animals? If you look at the food chain, you may realize we are animals. We may be smarter, but I doubt you could survive in the desert for a week without water like a camel. Respect the animals.
Kathrine Rux, well how about that, I did not know thank you.
Tiny Dynamine they do not just attack their own species. I have seen videos of hippos attacking a crocodile, buffalo, baby elephant, lion, rhino and an antelope. They have even attacked and killed humans.
@Tiny Dynamite, Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They intentionally capsize boats passing in the rivers they live in for one. Hippos, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants kill more people than lions do. They attack other animals too.
This. But there's even no need to go so far into the kingdom of exotic animals. Just take a look at cats. They're very territorial.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I like how Foxxy said the same thing I did, but I got voted down. Lol
I agree with you except for spiders. I will kill any spider I see. Ok let me rephrase that... I will make my hubby kill any spider I see as I am a total arachnophobe!!! They have the whole backyard so they don't need to be in my house for any reason whatsoever!!!
Keri, there are other insects that I prefer such as Praying Mantises to keep the nasties away such as spiders. Just because I don't like spiders and have a real fear of them (I was bit by a black widow when I was younger) doesn't mean I don't find other life precious. It's not an all or nothing type of thing. I do agree with the OP, just not with you.
Mama panda - I can hear that. I catch and release spiders myself, but I've never had a bad interaction with one. However I have a particular fear of maggots (yes I know everyone hates them in general) but I cry and freak and run away I can't breathe...if that's how you feel about spiders I totally get it :( praying mantis, Venus fly traps, lots of alternatives to spiders ^-^ I must say spiders do a good job though. I do catch and release once they get big, but babies can stay
I only do this if it is a bug that I can't get out.
People are entitled as shit, even entitled to other people’s lives just for existing. It’s so gross.
@Kerry DA humans drew the food chain because we can draw. I dont see mice drawing and sending people to the moon. Being a human I get whatever tools I can personally make at my disposal. But if you want to play your stupid game, then the lion doesnt get thousands of years of evolution to have sharp teeth or claws or the muscle mass that it has.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Oh they dont? Is that way animals will also fight to the death over property, dens, females, food, etc? You look down the food chain its the same thing. We are at the top. Its offensive to hear that you think we are on the same levels as animals.
Humans drew the food chain and drew us at the top because we've given ourselves ability to kill everything. I'd like to see you have a stand-off with a lion with no man made tools at your side and see what nature thinks of you being "at the top"
We (humans) are animals....
You sound like you need a safe space.
I have four cats. Mice may check in, but they never leave.
For some reason that reminds of my mother telling me about a cat she had as a child - totally useless and couldn't have caught a mouse if it sat still and waited for him. She said you could hear him galumph his way up the garden. Clumsy but lovable.
I hope one of your cats is called Hotel and another California ;-)
I've rescued and relocated a few birds..but sometimes I'm too late. My cat left a dead hummingbird in my dining room 2 days ago. His best cath was a lizard about 5 inches in length not included the tail, found in behind my husband's guitar equipment and thought I was gonna have a heart attack, then I was just sad.
This is me, if I find a bug in my house I will try to not kill it and let it go outdoors.
Same here. :) In fact, I will never kill it but try to guide flies to the open windows, etc.
I usually try to as well but dear lord if there is a spider or large bug somewhere and it surprises me (ex. Once I pulled a tissue out of a box and held it up to my face for a few seconds before I realized there was a large wolf spider on it) I'm sorry but they are usually smacked out of reflex :(
What about bedbugs? Or lice? Or fleas? Or ticks?
I'll kill flies no problem, but I never kill spiders.
Me too, though with some sad exceptions. I have never figured out how to relocate ants or wasp nests. Wish I could.
Oh no need to relocate the nests! Just your home....... lol I am so scared of wasps
You must not live in an area with stink bugs! They must die!