# Inconspicuous roommates **URL:** \ **Category:** Nature Talk\ **Created:** [October 13, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423 "2022-10-13T21:27:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![broacher](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/broacher/32/52883_2.png) [@broacher](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/broacher)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/1 "2022-10-13T21:27:51Z")
House centipede this morning, some spiders in the laundry room last night, and a mouse nest when moving a bookshelf for some painting this afternoon. Made me wonder, what’s your total observation count for _your_ home and what are some of your favorite ‘home visitor’ stories? ---
**Author:** ![m\_whitson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/m_whitson/32/25565_2.png) [@m\_whitson](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/m_whitson)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/2 "2022-10-13T22:45:01Z")
Conspicuous visitor: GIANT spider. In my bathtub. Of course. [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125770335](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125770335) ---
**Author:** ![fubberpish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/fubberpish/32/26517_2.png) [@fubberpish](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/fubberpish)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/3 "2022-10-13T22:45:44Z")
I’ve had a good deal of interesting roommates - the highlights were a _Charinus pesotti_, Giant Grasshopper and a Brush Tarantula [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/109871410](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/109871410) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/128428390](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/128428390) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/132919886](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/132919886) Other interesting insects in and around the house [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/120292988](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/120292988) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/127346274](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/127346274) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/130588176](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/130588176) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/130477985](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/130477985) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/136144617](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/136144617) some birds [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/133574675](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/133574675) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/110282727](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/110282727) [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/130588178](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/130588178) and, much to my surprise, a flatworm! [https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/124027023](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/124027023) ---
**Author:** ![cadecampbell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cadecampbell/32/2850_2.png) [@cadecampbell](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cadecampbell)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/4 "2022-10-13T23:23:11Z")
There are many but flying squirrels in the attic are pretty special. So many people hate them, but I think it’s comforting to hear them scuttling around. I imagine it’s as close as I’ll get to living in an old-growth oak tree. ---
**Author:** ![broacher](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/broacher/32/52883_2.png) [@broacher](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/broacher)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/5 "2022-10-13T23:23:40Z")
Wow. You know, if you ever wanted to join the HomeExchange vacation service, I bet you would have no trouble finding iNat members to swap with. ---
**Author:** ![lappelbaum](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/lappelbaum/32/7312_2.png) [@lappelbaum](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lappelbaum)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/6 "2022-10-13T23:23:47Z")
You can submit animals found in your home to this project: [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes) Here are my observations in the project: [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?captive=any&order\_by=observed\_on&place\_id=any&project\_id=24237&user\_id=lappelbaum&verifiable=any](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?captive=any&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=24237&user_id=lappelbaum&verifiable=any) I definitely have more than I just haven’t uploaded to iNat yet. Former beloved roommate (I moved) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7144164](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7144164) Scaley visitors to my current home who got put outside [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109094191](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109094191) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112892520](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112892520) Super inconspicuous [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/88255326](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/88255326) Super tiny [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9720065](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9720065) ---
**Author:** ![swampster](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/swampster/32/37519_2.png) [@swampster](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/swampster)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/7 "2022-10-13T23:37:57Z")
Not actually from my home, but a couple of interesting things in different field houses I’ve lived in: - [Carolina Wren nesting in the garage](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=any&place_id=any&field:Similar%20observation%20set=10020504) - [Eastern Bark Centipede](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/26649892) ---
**Author:** ![chestnut\_pod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@chestnut\_pod](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/chestnut_pod)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/8 "2022-10-14T00:19:42Z")
Mostly moths! But I remember this silver-washed fritillary with special fondness: [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126713824](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126713824). This surprise road-trip companion too: [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107452019](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107452019) Others: [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127313471](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127313471) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122977941](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122977941) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125852290](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125852290) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/118377933](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/118377933) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134339960](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134339960) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134313351](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134313351) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133999200](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133999200) ---
**Author:** ![bugsandbirds](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bugsandbirds/32/10521_2.png) [@bugsandbirds](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bugsandbirds)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 12:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/9 "2022-10-14T00:43:27Z")
The first time I ever saw a flying squirrel it was trapped behind the microwave cart in my kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Bug\_Guy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/that_bug_guy/32/24914_2.png) [@That\_Bug\_Guy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/That_Bug_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/10 "2022-10-14T04:14:59Z")
I’ve got many. The most common are cellar spiders, sac spiders, carpet beetles, clothes moths, pill bugs and woodlice, and so, so many others. One time, we had a bumble bee enter our basement. It didn’t fly around, just sat on the floor. I took it outside and expected that would be the end of it. However, in the coming days, the bee would return! It was the same non-flying one. A bit confused, I moved it outside again. And guess what? It came back! I don’t know how but it did! When I brought it outside the third time, that was it. It finally left us alone. In the opposite end of the house, we have a family of European Starlings living the attic. They’ve been there since I can remember. Every year, they lay eggs and create so a lot of noise. Also poo, they love to poo all over our window. Once I got to see one of the fledglings in our backyard! ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 6:02am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/11 "2022-10-14T06:02:25Z")
Too many: [Tineola bisselliella](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/232606), [Drosophila repleta](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/329848), [Steatoda castanea](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/231492), [Steatoda grossa](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/61997), [Pholcus ponticus](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/789592), [Lepisma saccharina](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48298), [Lachesilla pedicularia](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/270880), [Apanteles carpatus](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/379951), [Attagenus smirnovi](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/505703), [Dorypteryx domestica](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/505669), [Dermestes lardarius](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/131076) once, soetimes small Psychodinae just come out of nowhere, probably from neighbouring flats through the pipes. Plus all the one-timers that get through the window to die later. ---
**Author:** ![palustrisbotany](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/palustrisbotany/32/43950_2.png) [@palustrisbotany](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/palustrisbotany)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 6:23am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/12 "2022-10-14T06:23:30Z")
I regret not observing it now, but I found a Black Widow behind my refrigerator about a month ago. It was very dried up (which kind of makes me sad tbh), but there’s no telling how long she was there. ---
**Author:** ![animalobserverdeniz321](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/animalobserverdeniz321/32/24662_2.png) [@animalobserverdeniz321](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/animalobserverdeniz321)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 9:53am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/13 "2022-10-14T09:53:59Z")
A couple of years back a house sparrow flew into my living room like a hand grenade and crashed into a cupboard and got injured. We looked after him and once we released him, he lived in the garden for a couple of weeks then he suddenly disappeared. I regret not taking a photo because house sparrows are fairly rare in the UK. ---
**Author:** ![animalobserverdeniz321](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/animalobserverdeniz321/32/24662_2.png) [@animalobserverdeniz321](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/animalobserverdeniz321)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 10:08am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/14 "2022-10-14T10:08:55Z")
Here are some of my observations of animals that got into my house (or friends house) [Your contributions to Never Home Alone: The Wild Life of Homes · iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes/contributors/animalobserverdeniz321) ---
**Author:** ![lappelbaum](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/lappelbaum/32/7312_2.png) [@lappelbaum](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lappelbaum)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/15 "2022-10-14T14:33:31Z")
@animalobserverdeniz321 Looks like you included some that are on your windowsill or just outside the house (the bee on the flowers). You are only supposed to add obs to this project if they are literally inside the house. I feed birds on my windowsill. There was one wren that would step through the window to the sill on the inside if we weren’t fast enough getting out the mealworms. I didn’t post any of these photos because I thought I shouldn’t encourage people to do this. One time he snuck in when the window was open just a crack and flew in the house landing on a ledge by the sky lights. I was too concerned about getting him back out to think to take a photo. We got him back to the window by opening it the rest of the way which causes a squeak which is the birdy dinner bell and then putting mealworms on the outside sill. Edit: One time we had a treefrog make it quite a ways into the house. Found him in a corner very dehydrated and covered in pet fur and hair. Once again I was too concerned to think to take a photo. I put him in a bowl (extra pet water bowl) of well water (no chlorine) to let him rehydrate then delicately removed the hair that he was tangled in. ---
**Author:** ![vvildlife](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/vvildlife/32/27974_2.png) [@vvildlife](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/vvildlife)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/16 "2022-10-14T15:06:29Z")
Just the regular spiders, flies, pill bugs, and the occasional earwig make their way into my home. The most noteworthy incident I can recall was when a wasp (either yellowjacket or european paper wasp, I didn’t get a great look) flew in through the open backyard door. My mom tried using a tennis racket to get it down from the nook above the door, but it wasn’t working, so she used a spray bottle instead, after which I took it outside and it flew off later on. We found out a week later that we had a wasp infestation below the windowsill on the second floor. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![whaichi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/whaichi/32/277_2.png) [@whaichi](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/whaichi)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/17 "2022-10-14T15:17:03Z")
Hard to say how many observations I have from my home as they’re not in a collection/project and a few that I’ve posted are at a broad taxonomic level that makes them hard to go back and find. Here are my favorites (two spiders, an isopod, and two insects): [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127083484](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127083484) (_Anahita fauna_; 너구리거미) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36431373](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36431373) (_Scytodes thoracica_; 아롱가죽거미) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129420923](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129420923) (Genus _Porcellionoides_; 굴뚝양쥐며느리속) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93012296](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93012296) (_Statilia maculata_; 좀사마귀) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32874556](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32874556) (_Maiestas dorsalis_; 번개매미충) ---
**Author:** ![lordcaravan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/lordcaravan/32/32958_2.png) [@lordcaravan](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lordcaravan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/18 "2022-10-14T15:26:30Z")
On our last coastal project, in Manabi… in _just the property of our rental_… we encountered geckos, iguanas on the roof/fence/trees, giant spiders, never-ending armies of woodlouse, small spiders, medium spiders, spiders in the coffeemaker, spiders in the bed, spiders in the shower, spiders in the bananas, scorpions in the bathrooms, vultures and snail kites dropping, eating and fighting over giant african snails on the roof, blue-gray tanagers trying to enter the place through the windows, beetles of different varieties, a family of pigs breaking into the trash, finally on one of our last days there, my partner found a mouse in inhabiting of my shoes. I’m probably forgetting a few instances, I wonder if I should’ve better documented the excursion, but to be real, it’s a bit more fun in retrospect, thank goodness I’m visiting during the dry season next time I work in the area. ---
**Author:** ![jasonhernandez74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jasonhernandez74/32/33615_2.png) [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 2:25am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/19 "2022-10-15T02:25:23Z")
Memories of the Dominican Republic. I saw so much wildlife inside the converted storage shed I was living in. Huntsman spiders preyed on geckos, geckos of equal size tried unsuccessfully to cannibalize each other, and when it rained at night, the whole place filled with flying termites. Most mornings there would be a few moths who had come in for shelter and would leave later. ---
**Author:** ![animalobserverdeniz321](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/animalobserverdeniz321/32/24662_2.png) [@animalobserverdeniz321](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/animalobserverdeniz321)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423/20 "2022-10-20T11:56:03Z")
@lappelbaum I didn’t realise that until I read your message thank you for letting me know I will remove those photos. [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/inconspicuous-roommates/36423.md?page=2)