Andrew’s Dilemma
Andrew writes: My girlfriend, Maria, and I rely on plastic mouse traps to manage pests in our home. When they get dirty, I pop them into the dishwasher for a thorough clean. Maria, however, finds this practice quite disgusting. I believe the dishwasher effectively sanitizes everything during its cycle. We need some guidance to settle this disagreement.
Our homes are, in many ways, invasive species on this planet, and few things serve as a more potent and unpleasant reminder of our struggle against nature than discovering mouse droppings in your drawers or finding little caches of seeds tucked away under your pillows. While I commend your environmentally-friendly approach to pest control, I would recommend switching to the single-use, all-natural wooden neck-snapping traps. Once used, you can simply dispose of them without the hassle of cleaning.
Though your dishwasher’s sanitizing cycle is likely to eliminate 99.999% of any bacteria from decomposing rodent remains (according to Whirlpool.com), there remains a minuscule 0.001% chance that the thought of cleaning mouse traps in the dishwasher could evoke sheer repulsion. If your partner is genuinely grossed out by this practice, it’s essential to acknowledge that this is the prevailing sentiment in your shared space.
- Consider the emotional impact of shared living spaces.
- Explore alternative pest control methods that align with both your values.
- Communicate openly about hygiene concerns and preferences.
