I am currently doing a month-long sit. I am on day two and realizing that there is a pretty bad infestation of cockroaches. They are in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and I assume in the other areas of the house I don’t frequent. In the kitchen, I have seen them under the sink and even in the dishwasher. When I open the dishwasher, usually 3-4 roaches scatter.
I met the homeowners the same day they left for their travels. They made a passing comment that they do get cockroaches here. Being in Darwin, Australia, a place with a very humid, tropical climate, I didn’t think much of a cockroach or two wandering in from outside. They also mentioned that they had to recently replace their washing machine due to cockroaches clogging it up and breaking it. Again, I didn’t think much of this, as the washing machine is stored outside.
I can deal with a couple of cockroaches here and there, but this amount is making me really uncomfortable. How do I go about handling this situation? Do I tell them how uncomfortable I am? Do I request that they bring in an exterminator? What if they say I should pay for the exterminator and they will reimburse me? Can I trust that they will pay me back? They did mention they have a jug of cockroach killer I can use if needed, but how much is asking too much for a free housesit? Should I just let it go and try to push through the next month and leave a negative review? A month is a really long time, and cockroaches pose a health hazard.
Has anyone been in this situation and can provide guidance? There is a dog involved with this sit, so it is not like I can just pick up and go.
That sounds pretty bad and I’m from a hot climate that has cockroaches. You always see one or two but never coming out of kitchen appliances and never heard fo the clogging up and breaking a washing mchine. That just sounds insane.
I’ve never seen a “jug of cockraoch killer” only sprays in a normal spraycan size. Is this something bigger with a pump and spray wand? I’ve also never used an exterminator, just got on with it myself. You can spray outside by all drains and the doors an windows. If it’s something suitable for indoors you can spray under the sink and maybe try and get behind the appliances. Otherwise you’ll have to decide if you’re comfortable there or if the owners won’t get a professional in if you want to cut it short. Sufficient roaches to destroy a washing machine sounds a little much to me to be putting up with so I would say you would be within your rights to call THS and have them cancel it.
I grew up in the tropics and roaches were normal. It wasn’t matter of being clean or not, because they were everywhere. But as you say, I’ve never encountered or heard of the type of infestation that the OP mentioned.
In reading your other post, this HO seems to think that her ‘norm’ is and should be your ‘norm’.
The very fact that you mention that the HO has a jug of cockroach killer, is apparent that the HO is aware of the cockroach infestation.
Have you tried using the 'jug of cockroach killer"? Before contacting an exterminator, you may want to try that first. In your other post, you stated that the HO may be on the ‘cheap’ side, so hiring an exterminator and the HO paying is probably out of the question.
With so many cockroaches, there is the possibility that they are breeding in the home, so hiring an exterminator may be the way to go. With the HO’s permission, you could pay for an exterminator. In keeping yourself and the dog safe–you and the dog should probably not be present while extermination is taking place.
I would suggest:
Contact membership services and explain everything you have said in your posts so that they have this documented and on record.
Ask the HO to allow you to use the AC at a comfortable usage.
Either they hire / pay or allow you to hire / pay for an exterminator.
If the living conditions become too much for you to bear and the HO does not comply, I would ask to leave and ask the HO to use her emergency contact.
Prior to the sit, the HO had not been forthcoming about the living conditions and you should not have to suffer.
It is a 2L jug that has a pump/spray nozzle. But it is not a concentrate I have to mix.
The house is also on stilts so I can spray the areas on the inside but the outside would more difficult to reach. There are also several screens on the windows that do not fully seal and serval holes in the floor boards that lead directly to the outside. So if they really want in they have access lol.
Cockroaches in Darwin is normal, unfortunately. The amount you mention seems excessive but with some baits and spray you could make it more comfortable for your month long sit. Gaps in windows and floors is also normal too in old Darwin style houses. Louver windows are also very common.
Just seen this thread. Are they small roaches? I think this is important. If they’re big ones coming in from outside then that’s not nice but less of a problem. If they are (as they sound like) the smaller German Roach then they can cause really bad infestations and it would be easy to take them with you when you leave. If I were you I’d be thinking about how to store all my clothes and any appliances/electronics I’d brought with me to make sure I wasn’t taking any roaches with me when I leave. Last thing you want is an infestation in your next sit or your own home as they can be a real pain to get rid of. Such a horrible situation, poor you. If it were me I would probably contact member services and inform the homeowner that I was preparing to leave once they’d made alternative arrangements for their pup.
Some of you are from my other thread, and some are not, so I will repeat what I said here.
Pest control came and treated the house (at the homeowner’s expense). They confirmed there was an infestation. I specifically asked about German roaches and my clothes. They did not find any German roaches and assured me I would be fine. However, the homeowner expects me to pay for the professional cleaning of the house to remove the roach eggs and droppings. Has anyone else been told they are responsible for covering costs related to an issue that existed prior to their arrival?
I have informed membership services of the ongoing situation. Ultimately, I believe I am not the right fit for this sit, which saddens me, as I really adore the pet.
@NMcPhee It would seem that it is the homeowner who is not the right fit for this sit, or indeed for THS. This is meant to be a mutually beneficial exchange.
I completely understand you feeling sad for the poor pet. It must be really difficult when you have bonded with the pet, but the owner is difficult or unreasonable. It would make it so much harder to say goodbye at the end of the sit.
It’s hard when you really love the pet. I just went through this with a cat I really bonded with and adore. But the house was gross, I left an accurate review, and the HOs were - not happy. So, I’ll never see that sweet little face again. And it’s a huge bummer, but I had to be truthful and do what was best for me and other sitters.
This is not your responsibility- THS says that “Pet parents must make sure that sitters are welcomed into a clean, comfortable, and secure home. “
My advice in this case is to involve member services asap. You are already expecting a bad review so it’s best that everything is documented with THS asap . You can raise a member dispute, take photos of the problems, submit them to THS as evidence for their investigation and include screenshots of messages where host expects you to pay .
You can contact THS on the Urgent Support Phone Line - it’s available 24/7 -number is on your dashboard .
This sounds bad. IMO, whether infestations are a legit reason to leave a sit. If they aren’t or can’t get professional extermination services, AND you aren’t leaving, it would seem to me to be very appropriate to let the homeowners know the extent of the problem, with photos, and to ask them what they recommend you do, and whatever it involves buying, they should pay for that. They can always use a service like paypal to send you money for the supplies.
I can’t imagine that a homeowner would NOT want to resolve this.
I’ve responded in your other thread @NMcPhee so this is a duplicate, but more relevant here:
That would be one very big “NO” from me!
In this day and age, they can do a bank transfer or pay online, or by phone. It most definitely is not your responsibility to pay (although I believe there’s some ludicrous T&C somewhere about sitters having to pay for home repairs during the sit and request reimbursement, which I absolutely would not do!).
Know your worth: do not be bullied into paying this bill. If the hosts knew about this problem, they should have had pest control in before your arrival (and shame on them for not doing so!).
