Is it wrong to kill bugs and kinda enjoy it? Like if you drown a fly for example and don’t really feel any empathy about it...what does that say about you as a person?

[Raindropvampire]

I won't say I enjoy it but I have no remorse about killing ants, gnats, ticks or mosquitoes. Most other things I feel bad for ending their life, yes even flies. But I think I am in a very small minority. I would guess most people feel no empathy toward bugs.

[mote.of.soul]

@iPhone

Firstly, I'd just like to say, I've done many wrong things in my life and will probably do few more before it's my time to leave the planet. But, I try my best to do the right thing.

Originally Posted by iPhone

Is it wrong to kill bugs and kinda enjoy it? Like if you drown a fly for example and don’t really feel any empathy about it...what does that say about you as a person?

To me, it just says you're like most people who - whether you enjoy killing and torturing insects or not - be considered pretty 'ordinary'. But for me, I do have empathy for insects, the animals too, and I never kill a bug and I don't eat or exploit animals. I do not enjoy it. All animals and insects have the right to their lives, just like people do. Who are we to discriminate them saying their lives are nothing, killing them without a seconds thought?? I do say it's wrong, yes. "Oh, but bugs, they carry disease!" So do people. So that must give me the right to exterminate anyone on those grounds - but it does not, and should not.

Humans should know better by now and I just want to say, there are a lot of people who view taking pleasure in killing insects as - I'll just say - "not a good thing".

Stop doing it please, iPhone. Grow towards caring for nature.

[Travelinglady]

I'd be concerned about someone who did that. But, that said, I have swatted flies with a fly swatter and have Orkin come in to kill bugs. I've become more tolerant of the creatures recently , though, and just let most bugs do their thing, as long as they don't threaten me. I can't say I have enjoyed bug killing, though. I think the question to ask is why do you enjoy watching them drown and such?

[*Beth*]

My answer is yes. A confirmed yes. Such thoughts and that you carry them out is something you need to speak with a mental health professional about.

[bpcyclist]

Unless one's helath or life is endangered, taking pleasure in the death of anothe rliving thing is a bit concerning to me, not that I am an expert. That said, when I am being eaten alive by mosquitoes or yellow jackets, i am not sad when I Ikill them.

I think we are socialized to not care about insects the way we care about other people, and even animals. Insects are "gross" and "ugly" and (legitimately) scary sometimes. They can also startle us. That being said, I do feel guilty for killing insects, but it is something I still do sometimes, if they are in my house. I guess I don't have it all figured out, but I do apologize to them and sometimes send a prayer.

[Rive1976]

I have killed ticks and other bugs that can carry disease and not felt bad about it. I actually save bugs though. If I see a harmless bug on its back I will flip it over. Or I will save a drowning bug. If someone tries to kill a bug and its harmlesd I will get it and take it outside. If someone steps on a bug and its still alive and suffering I will end its pain. I have animals loved animals. So, no I dont really think that is normal.

[eskielover]

I have rescued bees out of my horses water & even out of my kitchen. I rescue fireflies that get in my house BUT I kill wasps & spiders that get in my house because they will take over & be dangerous. I live on a 10 acre farm with most being woods. Any critter/bug lives as long as it stays OUT of my house. I found a wolf spider with a 2 inch leg span in my basement the other day. Think I emptied 1/2 can of insect spray making sure it was dead. If it had just stayed outside it would have lived. While last year I rescued a 3 ft black snake that found it's way into my UPSTAIRS bathroom. Now I will kill the red velvet ant outside. Their sting (wingless wasp) is bad enough to kill a cow. They die when I see them but I will chase birds away from making Luna moths a meal. It varies....but I never enjoy seeing them die...killing them is usually for my own safety

[*Beth*]

Killing bugs for your own safety vs. killing bugs (or anything) because you find doing so pleasurable seems to be the key point.

[TishaBuv]

You said you enjoy it a little, but you clarified that you just feel no empathy. This is what I understand from your post. It doesn’t sound to me like you are taking a sadistic pleasure in it. Am I correct?

Killing a pest insect without a second thought is most common. Killing with sadistic pleasure is concerning.

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

You said you enjoy it a little, but you clarified that you just feel no empathy. This is what I understand from your post. It doesn’t sound to me like you are taking a sadistic pleasure in it. Am I correct?

Killing a pest insect without a second thought is most common. Killing with sadistic pleasure is concerning.

I think the main thing is I don’t believe they feel pain the same as humans and other animals. I enjoy it in the way a hunter enjoys hunting...I like chasing and catching them but once again, I don’t think they suffer the same way as other creatures so it’s not that I enjoy them struggling.

I’ve never hurt any animal or person nor would I want to.

I just had a small encounter with a wasp in my apartment. It somehow got in. Very carefully I had opened up the screen when that wasp was in a position that it couldn't hurt me. But it wouldn't go out. At one time I took a broom and tried to sweep it out when I opened the screen. It still wouldn't leave. So I got a little crazy and tried to whack it with that broom, but it got away. So finally after about a half hour, I opened the screen again and it flew right out. And boy, didn't it fly out fast! And all of this happened at lunch. I would have felt bad if I had killed it.

[princesscookie19]

If I see a bug I would just stare hoping it wont move and scare me, if I want to get rid of it well than I ask staff lol

[lizardlady]

I have a BA in zoology. This discussion reminds me of a poster a prof had in his office. "All small children pull wings off flies. If they persist into adulthood they either come to a bad end or become a biologist." Sorry, warped sense of humor.

If your not getting some sort of pleasure in killing insects and have no desire to injure/kill animals or humans I don't think there's a problem.