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Entomophobi: The fear of bugs…well, in my case, Roaches
Disclaimer: The blog entry below has absolutely nothing to do with collegemedium. The story is entirely true and has not been modified from its original form. Enjoy!
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While I was in college, I had a terrible fear of bugs. I wrote the email below to my apartment manager, and as evidence, I regrettably CC’ed my brother on the email. My brother thought it was absolutely hysterical so he proceeded to forward the email to the rest of my family and friends. Before you know it, I become the laughing-stock of the entire family.
Letter to my Apartment:
Hello XXX,
Thanks for promptly addressing my previous maintenance requests.
However, I have an even bigger problem.
I have what is known as a roach phobia. I simply cannot compose myself to step on, or even look at a live roach for more than a few seconds. We’ve never really had a problem with roaches before, but it seems they have found a way in because of the following incident which occurred in my apartment.
Tonight, right before I went to sleep, I spotted a large (1.5 inch) roach so I dashed for
some insecticide and sprayed it till it died. Early this morning, at around 4AM I was woken by the sound of yet another roach fiddling under my computer desk. Now this may seem like no big deal to someone else, but for me it is truly chaotic. I can not even go back to sleep with the thought of a roach in my room and it is approximately 4.30 am (Who knows where, or if there are more…).
I have tried everything to ensure that my apartment is clean and roach-free. I have 3 electronic pest controllers throughout the apartment, I have various types of pest sprays, and I have sprinkled boric acid around the doors, windows, and behind the appliances. It
seems, however, all these measures have been to no avail for the BIGGER roaches have penetrated all my defensive measures.
I understand it is very unusual for someone to be so petrified of the litter critters. But, it is a phobia I am yet to conquer, and I really hope you understand. If possible, I would like to be moved to another apartment with less of an infestation or have a professional
exterminator sweep through the apartment.
I have tried to figure out how these roaches could have come in the apartment and I am even more terrified for if I don’t know how they got in, then I cannot stop more from getting into the apartment. I have a feeling that they are coming in through the windows in my room (Master Bedroom).
My fear of roaches may seem a little phony or exaggerated but please
note the time of this email (I sent it at 4:50AM). I really cannot go back to sleep.
Thanks for your immediate response and understanding.
Emmanuel
Response from Apartment:
Emmanuel-
I am so sorry to hear you are having these problems!
What you are probably seeing are called water bugs (and they are often
confused with roaches). Unfortunatly, it doesn’t matter how clean your
apartment is. It just happens to be the time of year when they are trying
to find some place cool to live.
We do have pest control on a weekly basis and I will send them to your home.
With this week being a short holiday week, and they are normally here on
Monday’s, I don’t know if I will be able to get them back out. But they
will for sure be out again this coming Monday.
And don’t worry - you are not the only one with a fear of roaches.
Thanks!
My thoughts on the response:
Water bugs?! Are you kidding me? If it looks like a roach, walks like a roach, and talks like a roach, it’s probably a freaking roach! No need for the fancy pseudo name here.
Anyways, I read a bunch of forums, and actually looked into some programs to over come my fear. It’s all been a wasted effort for I still can’t stand roaches.
And, my family still laughs at me during dinner…
Please help me!
Emmanuel
