Turning Pests into Guests

Turning "Pests" into "Guests"

5/2/2022

Based on our recent episode of ProtegoCast, “Pest’ Control with Tylor Starr”, (Season 2 Episode 11), we’ve decided to delve into the harmful forms of “pest” control that we see in the wizarding world and how we can advocate for safe alternatives in the non-magical world.

You’ll notice that throughout this blog, when writing “pest,” we’ve chosen to put it within quotation marks. This is because we don’t see these creatures (magical or non-magical) as pests. They are simply creatures who are living alongside us. Some may be a little closer than we want them to be, but that doesn’t mean we should refer to them as “pests.” Instead, we prefer taking a kinder approach and calling them “guests!”

What is a "Pest?"

According to Merriam-Webster, a “pest” can be defined in three ways:

An epidemic disease associated with high mortality. specifically : PLAGUE
Something resembling a pest in destructiveness. especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (such as agriculture or livestock production)
One that pesters or annoys : NUISANCE

We see a “pest” as something that invades our territory and becomes a “nuisance.” But in actuality, a “pest” is an animal who is trying to make their own way in the world.
We’ve taken over these definitions and constructed meanings for them without really thinking about the livelihoods of these animals who were here first.

So, what is it that makes people see a creature as either a friend or a “pest?” Let’s look at Scabbers the rat. Where is the line drawn that says Scabbers is a “pet” rat while an unknown rat who has found their way into our basement is a “pest?”

A “pet” is defined as “a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility,” and since “pests” are also not seen as providing company, friendship, or utility, this is where the definition comes into play. We can’t “use” them for anything, so they’re not seen as “valuable.” For some people, these creatures are viewed as something that “should” be exterminated.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Credit: Jim Kay

Credit: Warner Bros.

Issues with "Pest" Control in the Wizarding World

Doxies

One of the main forms of “pest” control we see within the wizarding world is when Molly Weasley uses Gilderoy Lockhart’s book, Gilderoy Lockhart’s Guide to Household Pests, as her resource for getting rid of creatures.

We see her using Doxycide at Grimmauld Place. This chemical substance paralyzes Doxies upon contact. Also known as “Biting Fairies,” Doxies have double rows of sharp and venomous teeth. They lay up to five hundred eggs that hatch after about two to three weeks. Doxies have poisonous bites, so an antidote should be taken immediately if bitten.

By paralyzing Doxies with toxic chemicals, the individual Doxy is harmed and harm can also be caused to their family who might not be able to survive without their support.

Gnomes

We also see Fred and George de-gnoming the garden at The Burrow. Gnomes commonly enjoy living in gardens and can stand at a foot in height.

According to Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, “gnomes can be expelled from the garden by swinging it in circles until dizzy and then dropping it over the garden wall. Alternatively a Jarvey may be used, though many wizards nowadays find this method of gnome-control too brutal.”

While the “brutal” method of using a Jarvey is no longer used, we still think that swinging a creature until they’re dizzy then flinging them over a wall should also be defined as “brutal.”

Providing a safe-haven for these gnomes and their families would be a much better alternative as it would allow them to thrive in their own environment.

Boggarts

In Order of the Phoenix, we further see the Weasleys and Harry trying to get rid of the Boggart who hides in the drawer at 12 Grimmauld Place. As Tylor has discussed before on ProtegoCast, at Borgin and Burkes in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, there is a trunk that occasionally shakes and moves. He asked the staff what was in there and they told him there was a Boggart.

Boggarts can be seen as ethereal beings. They are not creatures but are on the same level as poltergeists and Dementors. By banishing them from the wardrobe, drawer, or trunk they have chosen to take shelter in, we are misunderstanding them. Imagine having to transform into the deepest fear of every person you meet in order to defend the place you’ve chosen as a home. Seeing people’s terrified reactions to you might be difficult to witness. What if Boggarts just need kindness, respect, and the freedom to live where they choose?

Issues with The Pest Advisory Board

In the wizarding world, the Pest Advisory Board forms part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Its role includes providing “assistance with serious Bundimun infestations of wizarding homes,” dealing with “serious infestations of Chizpurfles,” taking responsibility for the Ghoul Task Force, and maintaining a pack of a dozen albino bloodhounds “to use in dealing with nogtails.”

What we take from this is that the board essentially hunts and eradicates these creature populations as a form of “pest” control, which is a form of speciesism. The name of the board implies the idea that these creatures are a nuisance and that they need to go away.

But where can they go away to? If they were to be relocated away from the wizarding population, is there somewhere safe and suitable for these creatures to live?

Alternatives to "Pest" Control in the Non-magical World

Humans need a place to live and that often means destroying natural habitats and displacing animals. Naturally, some of them will find their way back into our homes. Things we can do as individuals, such as being kind to each critter and spreading the word to friends and family about the humane practices that can be put into place, will make a big difference.

Preventative Measures

Ultimately, the best way of getting an unwanted animal out of your house is to not have them enter in the first place. Here’s where preventative measures come in.

Clean up any food messes, seal your trash bags, pick up your companion animals’ food at night, and keep your house tidy so that creatures who may come in looking for food won’t find any, encouraging them to return to their natural environment.

Fill in any holes in your walls and pop upside-down cups on drains and plugholes to ensure that creatures aren’t able to enter in the first place.

Natural and Harmless Alternatives to Pesticides

Pesticides and insecticides are big no-nos. Created with harmful chemicals, they run into the water and affect aquatic populations. There are also thousands of animals used in pesticide tests who are harmed and killed every year.

You can keep your garden safe from animals such as ants, mice, and slugs by visiting PETA’s website and reading up on their species-specific, pesticide-free tips. They will ensure that you can live in harmony with the wildlife around you while also protecting your garden and home.

Humane Bug Catchers

A humane bug catcher is a device used to pick up small bugs and insects in a secure way. It allows you to take them back outside and reunite them with their natural habitat. This is important since these individuals need their natural environment to thrive.

Humane Mouse Traps

Using glue traps and poison to keep mice and rats out of your home is extremely cruel, as the animals are left suffering for long periods of time.

When caught in a glue trap, the animal can die of starvation, dehydration, and sometimes suffocation if their heads get stuck in the glue. Animals may severely injure themselves trying to get free, even resorting to gnawing off their own limbs to escape.

Poisons are also a risk to humans and companion animals who may inadvertently come into contact with them.

When using a humane mouse trap, you must ensure you check it very often because mice and rats can die from stress, exposure, or dehydration in just a few hours.

Humane Bug Catcher from PETA

Humane Mouse Trap from PETA

According to PETA, it’s important to release the creatures close to where you found them:

“Captured mice and rats can be kept calm by placing a towel over the trap. Release them within 100 yards of where they were trapped. [...] Releasing a mouse or rat into a strange area will almost surely result in the animal’s death because relocated animals don’t know where to find adequate food, water, or shelter and often become weak and succumb to predation or foreign parasites or disease against which they lack a natural immunity.”

Educate Your Friends and Family

Finally, spread the word. Speak to your friends and family about the harmful impact that pesticides and traps can have on animals and encourage them to use the more humane and safe alternatives we’ve listed above.

Every small action you do and every time you make an effort to educate others will have an impact on the safety and livelihoods of animals.

Written by Grace Hurley

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