Is Extermination of Ants a Sin?

[tqualey]

Hi, Wayman,

I must confess … I have been so amazed at how this topic has been so delicately addressed … there are really so many charitable people on this thread - I am really edified!

Now, in answer to your question: No, it is not a sin to kill ants or any other insect. Insects carry germs as they track from one area to another - and then bring it over the food you are about to eat. They also leave their waste products behind - and crawling over your plates and cups can simply make you sick. The 5th Commandment tells us not to ‘kill’ but it would be best understood as not to murder - and that would be the unjustified taking of another human life. Hopefully, you will find this helpful.

As I was contemplating my response to your question, I wondered if you were aware of scrupulosity. Here is a link you may find of benefit: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=21586

God bless

But people kill cows to use them for food. Extermination of ants is just to get rid of them.

 

[thistle]

Black ants aren’t anything like Mosquitoes. Black house ants are generally passive while mosquitoes suck blood and are major spreaders of disease.

Listen to what everyone is telling you. It is NOT A SIN to kill ants, no matter what their colour is!!

 

[TimothyH]

My cat ate a big spider that snuck in on a bucket I had temporarily set on my deck and then brought it back in from outside. I set down the bucket, a HUGE spider started walking across the floor, and my cat pawed, pawed, pawed at it, and then finally bit at it. The spider slowly curled up and dried up. Then I vacuumed up the carcass. I have an awesome cat!

I hate cats.

Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.

Just wanted to let you know that.

-Tim-

 

[meltzerboy]

I can see how the self-defense argument can be used for red ants who attack, but I mean black ants who don’t bite but who are still unwelcomed guests in a house. Can someone please back up your opinion with official Church teaching on the matter?

It is most probably not a sin to kill ants in one’s home according to Catholicism and Judaism. In Hinduism, it may be regarded as sinful, depending on Hinduism’s definition of sin and perhaps the specific variety of Hindu belief. I would say that killing an ant intentionally and gratuitously outdoors, where it is no danger to the quality of your home life, may be considered sinful. Still, regardless of the Church’s beliefs (or non-statements in this regard) or those of Judaism or any other religion, if your personal conscience believes the extermination of ants in your home is sinful, I would suggest you refrain from doing this. The only time I had ants in my home was when I lived in Pennsylvania. In New York City, the big problems are cockroaches, bed bugs, and mice.

 

[meltzerboy]

I hate cats.

Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.

Just wanted to let you know that.

-Tim-

Orthodox Jews are permitted to have cats; but some regard owning dogs as forbidden based on Scriptural teaching. Personally, I love them both.

 

[Catholic90]

I hate cats.

Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.

Just wanted to let you know that.

-Tim-

I love cats!

Cats are actually mentioned in Baruch!
[BIBLEDRB]Baruch 6:21

21 Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.[/BIBLEDRB]

Cats are a little slice of heaven here on earth. (I had to euthanize one of my cats last Sunday).

Pope Benedict loves cats!

Here is a story for you:
A cat dies and goes to Heaven. God meets him at the gate and says, “You have been a good cat all of these years. Anything you desire is yours, all you have to do is ask.”

The cats says, “Well, I lived all my life with a poor family on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors.”

God says, “Say no more.” And instantly, a fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later, 6 mice are killed in a tragic accident and they go to Heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer that He made the cat. The mice said, “All our lives we’ve had to run. Cats, dogs and even women with brooms have chased us. If we could only have a pair of roller skates, we wouldn’t have to run anymore.”

God says, “Say no more.” And instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.

About a week later, God decides to check and see how the cat is doing. The cat is sound asleep on his new pillow. God gently wakes him and asks, “How are you doing? Are you happy here?”

The cat yawns and stretches and says, “Oh, I’ve never been happier in my life. And those Meals on Wheels you’ve been sending over are the best!”

 

[CatholicBoy1957]

Have Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, or Padre Pio ever addressed the subject? My guess would be, that by the time one has mastered the big sins, and built up a bit of a regular spirituality, for example, perfect chastity for one’s state in life, according to the teachings of the Church; daily communion, at least weekly confession, prayer for at least an hour daily, one should be at the point of holiness where one is so close to the Lord that one can speak to Him in a very direct way, and ask Him personally.

Scrupulosity is a possibility, but so is Substitutionary Morality. A good example that comes to mind is a former co-worker, that was so faithful to Global Warmingism, that she recycled coffee stir sticks, and, of course, was a vegan, but she also donated huge sums of money to Planned Parenthood, had abortions, and was seriously sexually indiscriminate. I wish we could trade one of those coffee stir sticks for one of the dead babies. Focus. Prioritize.

Is there anything about killing ants in the visions of St. Faustina, or Bl. Emmerich? If not, how come?

 

[vera_dicere]

I lived in a place as a student, where the ant problem was so bad, I used to say my ants had an ant problem!! And they were harmeful. They’d crawl everywhere, I couldn’t keep any food in teh cuppboards, they dropped their carrcasses on my pillow, amongst other places and then they’d bite like no body’s business - me and my pet ratties!! And I one of those weirdos who’s allergic to ants. So yeah, I killed them. A lot of them. I just wipe the little so and so’s with a cold wet cloth, you use a hot one they stink up the place.

Also had huge throngs of roaches in that place, woke up once and one was eating something off my eyebrow. It was random.

Then there were the mice… which were cute, but annoying. [Getting pet rats scarred the mice away].

So, not a sin. But I would say killing them for fun would be a bit on the questionable side and might be unappreciated by the Creator.

 

[philial]

I hate cats.

Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.

Just wanted to let you know that.

-Tim-

Well, by way of a private revelation, Jesus told me that Heaven is full of cats. In fact, all cats automatically go to heaven, and are allowed to curl up and sleep whereever they like!

But then, maybe it takes a real catholic to know this!

 

[philial]

Orthodox Jews are permitted to have cats; but some regard owning dogs as forbidden based on Scriptural teaching. Personally, I love them both.

I really indulge myself, and have a dog (border collie), as well as a small pride of cats. Where I live there are a lot of (pakistani) muslims, who also avoid dogs, which are considered unclean, yet are fascinated by the obedience she shows. She also, by way of instinct, tries to herd the cats… but she’s learned to avoid their indignant claws!

 

[You]

…that story about the guy thinking and wondering about all the ants he was killing as he walked along, he didn’t get very far.

 

[BrunoMaria]

The question “Is Extermination of Ants a Sin?” to me seems at least as peculiar as some of the answers, one of them telling;
“I hate cats. Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.”

If there was a scale [balance] and on one side all people of the world - on the other all ants (termites) of the world. The ants would be heavier than the humans (I read that once in "science today). And by the way; how can a Christian say God hates cats?!

Now; we are certainly not entitled to hate any created creature - that doesn’t do any harm to us, like cats who even where “holy” in late ancient Egypt and the animal of the Goddess Bastet and the Sun-God Re.

Now - to kill an animal for our living, certainly is allowed by God; else Jesus would not have eaten the Passover Lamb with His disciples, nor would in Acts10.13 heavens have told St Peter: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

Same we definitely are allowed to kill insects or other animals who might have been of some use at a time when there where no humans around, but now bring diseases and ruined houses and spoiled food.

Albert Schweitzer named as the most upscaled and highest honorable duty and responsibility of any human, to highly respect any form of life. This of course finds it’s end then, when humans - their life and fruits of their work are disadvantaged or threatened.
So; any animal is to be honored as a living thing, for no human ever could nor ever will be able to create any form of life - not even a single seed of grass, which looks so easy, but is so full of God’s reality we never get anywhere near to. So - any cruelty to animals really is a sin, for it’s mistreating God’s creation. And even when we magnify any detail of any most disgusting insect - we can’t but marvel about the harmony and beauty of creation.

The whole thread attracted me because of another deep memory about my 1997 in the age of 26 deceased son Björn. When he was 9 and had first Holy Communion. He came to me and asked me for his first confession, if God would really forgive a dreadful sin Björn had committed. He cried about this terrible sin he had committed and had to confess before receiving the Holy Communion, and it took a long time until I found out what it was all about. So I reassured the child over and over again, that God - if one really repents - indeed does deliver of this burden, and indeed forgets all about it and lovingly hugs this person God loved in the first place anyhow. So, eventually and with lots of tears of regret and repentance the huge sin finally came out:

I ONCE HAD POORED SAND ON A CRAWLING ANT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL IT WAS MOST LIKELY DEAD!<

Oh, I was so relieved about this “dreadful sin” of that innocent child, that it even today moves me to tears.

But back to the original rather funny seeming question: “Is Extermination of Ants a Sin?”
NO! - OF COURSE IT IS NOT A SIN! if those ants harm us in any way.
I only this summer exterminated a big nest of wasps on my house - even though they are under nature conservancy - but my welfare is prior to some wasps and heavens will agree there I think

Yours
Bruno

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Vera Dicere,

I certainly hope that you and your pet ratties have gotten to safer quarters.

God bless

I lived in a place as a student, where the ant problem was so bad, I used to say my ants had an ant problem!! And they were harmeful. They’d crawl everywhere, I couldn’t keep any food in teh cuppboards, they dropped their carrcasses on my pillow, amongst other places and then they’d bite like no body’s business - me and my pet ratties!! And I one of those weirdos who’s allergic to ants. So yeah, I killed them. A lot of them. I just wipe the little so and so’s with a cold wet cloth, you use a hot one they stink up the place.

Also had huge throngs of roaches in that place, woke up once and one was eating something off my eyebrow. It was random.

Then there were the mice… which were cute, but annoying. [Getting pet rats scarred the mice away].

So, not a sin. But I would say killing them for fun would be a bit on the questionable side and might be unappreciated by the Creator.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, BrunoMaria,

You did the right thing by getting rid of those wasps! They attack people with little or no provocation - and multiple stings can prove fatal. While I can understand a group wanting to protect honey bees … I have never heard of any group wanting to protect wasps!

And, yes, I agree - there is no sin in exterminating any ants of any color or size.

God bless

The question “Is Extermination of Ants a Sin?” to me seems at least as peculiar as some of the answers, one of them telling;
“I hate cats. Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.”

If there was a scale [balance] and on one side all people of the world - on the other all ants (termites) of the world. The ants would be heavier than the humans (I read that once in "science today). And by the way; how can a Christian say God hates cats?!

Now; we are certainly not entitled to hate any created creature - that doesn’t do any harm to us, like cats who even where “holy” in late ancient Egypt and the animal of the Goddess Bastet and the Sun-God Re.

Now - to kill an animal for our living, certainly is allowed by God; else Jesus would not have eaten the Passover Lamb with His disciples, nor would in Acts10.13 heavens have told St Peter: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

Same we definitely are allowed to kill insects or other animals who might have been of some use at a time when there where no humans around, but now bring diseases and ruined houses and spoiled food.

Albert Schweitzer named as the most upscaled and highest honorable duty and responsibility of any human, to highly respect any form of life. This of course finds it’s end then, when humans - their life and fruits of their work are disadvantaged or threatened.
So; any animal is to be honored as a living thing, for no human ever could nor ever will be able to create any form of life - not even a single seed of grass, which looks so easy, but is so full of God’s reality we never get anywhere near to. So - any cruelty to animals really is a sin, for it’s mistreating God’s creation. And even when we magnify any detail of any most disgusting insect - we can’t but marvel about the harmony and beauty of creation.

The whole thread attracted me because of another deep memory about my 1997 in the age of 26 deceased son Björn. When he was 9 and had first Holy Communion. He came to me and asked me for his first confession, if God would really forgive a dreadful sin Björn had committed. He cried about this terrible sin he had committed and had to confess before receiving the Holy Communion, and it took a long time until I found out what it was all about. So I reassured the child over and over again, that God - if one really repents - indeed does deliver of this burden, and indeed forgets all about it and lovingly hugs this person God loved in the first place anyhow. So, eventually and with lots of tears of regret and repentance the huge sin finally came out:

I ONCE HAD POORED SAND ON A CRAWLING ANT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL IT WAS MOST LIKELY DEAD!<

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Philial,

What a delightfully enjoyable post. Sounds like the p-u-u-u-ur-r-r-r-fect way to address this thread!

God bless

Well, by way of a private revelation, Jesus told me that Heaven is full of cats. In fact, all cats automatically go to heaven, and are allowed to curl up and sleep whereever they like!

But then, maybe it takes a real catholic to know this!

 

[Lui]

Oddly I don’t have a problem to kill a fly or ants but I can’t kill spiders. I have a couple in some corners like under the radiator and vacuum and clean around them. I once had a little spider who sat in his web behind my toilet for about 3 years. I cleaned the whole bathroom every Sunday but made sure I didn’t ruin his web. When I moved I carried him outside.
The other day a giant spider crawled across my floor. I caught him and took him outside as well.
Spiders just stay in a corner and mind their own business. They don’t crawl into your food or bother you else wise which is why I can’t kill them. I would if it was a dangerous one though.

With animals in general I think it is ok to kill a fish to eat him but to shoot pigeons just out of boredom or torture animals for no reason is immoral.

 

[meltzerboy]

Oddly I don’t have a problem to kill a fly or ants but I can’t kill spiders. I have a couple in some corners like under the radiator and vacuum and clean around them. I once had a little spider who sat in his web behind my toilet for about 3 years. I cleaned the whole bathroom every Sunday but made sure I didn’t ruin his web. When I moved I carried him outside.
The other day a giant spider crawled across my floor. I caught him and took him outside as well.
Spiders just stay in a corner and mind their own business. They don’t crawl into your food or bother you else wise which is why I can’t kill them. I would if it was a dangerous one though.

With animals in general I think it is ok to kill a fish to eat him but to shoot pigeons just out of boredom or torture animals for no reason is immoral.

As you state, there is no reason to kill spiders provided they’re not one of the aggressive and deadly varieties. They serve useful functions, such as trapping flies and also bed bugs I’m told, as well as keeping to themselves for the most part. I don’t believe they transmit disease the way mosquitoes and roaches do, though they may carry diseases.

Back to ants, I wonder if some hesitation in killing them may derive from the fact they are highly intelligent compared to most other insects.

 

[meltzerboy]

The question “Is Extermination of Ants a Sin?” to me seems at least as peculiar as some of the answers, one of them telling;
“I hate cats. Cats are not mentioned in the Bible so God hates cats too.”

If there was a scale [balance] and on one side all people of the world - on the other all ants (termites) of the world. The ants would be heavier than the humans (I read that once in "science today). And by the way; how can a Christian say God hates cats?!

Now; we are certainly not entitled to hate any created creature - that doesn’t do any harm to us, like cats who even where “holy” in late ancient Egypt and the animal of the Goddess Bastet and the Sun-God Re.

Now - to kill an animal for our living, certainly is allowed by God; else Jesus would not have eaten the Passover Lamb with His disciples, nor would in Acts10.13 heavens have told St Peter: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

Same we definitely are allowed to kill insects or other animals who might have been of some use at a time when there where no humans around, but now bring diseases and ruined houses and spoiled food.

Albert Schweitzer named as the most upscaled and highest honorable duty and responsibility of any human, to highly respect any form of life. This of course finds it’s end then, when humans - their life and fruits of their work are disadvantaged or threatened.
So; any animal is to be honored as a living thing, for no human ever could nor ever will be able to create any form of life - not even a single seed of grass, which looks so easy, but is so full of God’s reality we never get anywhere near to. So - any cruelty to animals really is a sin, for it’s mistreating God’s creation. And even when we magnify any detail of any most disgusting insect - we can’t but marvel about the harmony and beauty of creation.

The whole thread attracted me because of another deep memory about my 1997 in the age of 26 deceased son Björn. When he was 9 and had first Holy Communion. He came to me and asked me for his first confession, if God would really forgive a dreadful sin Björn had committed. He cried about this terrible sin he had committed and had to confess before receiving the Holy Communion, and it took a long time until I found out what it was all about. So I reassured the child over and over again, that God - if one really repents - indeed does deliver of this burden, and indeed forgets all about it and lovingly hugs this person God loved in the first place anyhow. So, eventually and with lots of tears of regret and repentance the huge sin finally came out:

I ONCE HAD POORED SAND ON A CRAWLING ANT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL IT WAS MOST LIKELY DEAD!<

Thanks for this great and touching post. One thing, however: although I have no doubt Tim hates cats, I believe–and hope–he was joking when he commented that G-d hates cats.

 

[Catholic90]

One thing, however: although I have no doubt Tim hates cats, I believe–and hope–he was joking when he commented that G-d hates cats.

God does not hate cats. That is pretty obvious - afterall, we are all CATholics. The lion laid down with the lamb, and lions are a part of the cat family.

There is even a LOL Cat Bible translation!

Oh, hai…kthxbai!

 

[Catholic90]

I only this summer exterminated a big nest of wasps on my house - even though they are under nature conservancy - but my welfare is prior to some wasps and heavens will agree there I think

Yours
Bruno

Hi, BrunoMaria,

You did the right thing by getting rid of those wasps! They attack people with little or no provocation - and multiple stings can prove fatal. While I can understand a group wanting to protect honey bees … I have never heard of any group wanting to protect wasps!

And, yes, I agree - there is no sin in exterminating any ants of any color or size.

God bless

Those wasps that build big nests on houses are not the kind protected under nature conservancy. Those protected wasps are solitary wasps and not the kind to sting animals or people, not the big ones that live in huge nests or colonies and attack people and animals.

I eradicated at least 6 big wasp nests this summer - I stopped counting after a while. There is only one remaining, and it is way up high in the peak of my house - over 40 feet high, so I cannot get there. I suppose I could put up my 26 foot ladder and climb up and then spray, but I just don’t want to get that close! Beside, soon enough, they will all freeze and die.