First world problem

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Forum -> Relationships -> Manners & Etiquette

First world problem

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amother

Wed, Mar 13 2024, 11:08 pm

Hi, my cleaning lady who is very sweet and I am ver nice to her and she worked for me for 12 years has a bit of an issue.

I feel terrible but I guess there is an insect problem in her home. A few weeks ago she came to my house and put her handbag on my couch. A few minutes later, there were ants crawling all over my wall and couch direct line to her bag. It was very obvious. I mentioned it to her nicely and she took it outside and came with a different bag the next time.

Then this week she came and I saw a roach crawling on my wall right near her bag. I never saw a roach in my house since I moved in over a decade ago. I cant be sure it came from her bag but given the history, plus Ive been to her home before (dropped off a meal for her when she was post surgery) , and the location, I assume it came from her bag.

Im so freaked out.

amother

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 10:59 am

Is there anything I can do?

amother

Ruby

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 12:14 pm

That’s really gross! Maybe buy a plastic storage bin with a cover and you can have her keep her bag and coat in there whenever she comes, this way it stays contained.

amother

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:16 pm

amother Ruby wrote:

That’s really gross! Maybe buy a plastic storage bin with a cover and you can have her keep her bag and coat in there whenever she comes, this way it stays contained.

Is there a way I can say this without being offensive? I am so horrified.

Ants I can manage. Roaches are another story though.

amother

Aubergine

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:18 pm

I’m so sorry but I’d let her go.

amother

Bone

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:20 pm

In my experience with roaches, it seems really unlikely that it would have hitched in her bag all the way to your house.

amother

Crimson

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:24 pm

I don’t think the ants would be coming from her bag. It’s more like they live in your walls and we’re attracted to something in her bag.

amother

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:32 pm

I am positive the ants came from her bag. I watched the trail directly come from her bag. Ants are a recurring problem and there are no ants in my house. I never had that issue and I saw it unfold before my eyes.

As for the roach, I cannot be absolutely sure but again, I never had roaches ever. Suddenly, I see one right next to her bag and I know she has a problem with roaches given that I was in her apartment a few months ago. She moved to this apartment recently I believe so maybe this is a newer issue.

She worked for me for 12 years. I wouldn't let her go over this but I need some kind of solution.

Light1234

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:36 pm

Could you ask her not to bring a handbag?
You can supply what she needs or give her cash for a ride home.
Yes it can offend her, but nowadays infestation is a financial issue. It can cost hundreds or thousands to take care of. I would tell her that as nicely as possible. If she rents and does not own then she simply doesn't consider that side.
Maybe say, it doesn't bother me in theory, I see house spiders in the bathroom all the time, but I know an exterminator is a cost we can't afford right now. Something like that?

amother

Holly

Thu, Mar 14 2024, 7:43 pm

amother Bone wrote:

In my experience with roaches, it seems really unlikely that it would have hitched in her bag all the way to your house.

Roaches can absolutely hitch a ride in a hand bag. I've had a terrible roach problem in my previous apartment and the would come with me everywhere Can't Believe It

I would shake out my stroller every time I left the house, and still they would hide in the crevices and come out when they saw food.

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