Korean Job Discussion Forums

tweeterdj · Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Location: Gwangju

I have had two of these in my apartment in the last week, and one of my friends from China says they are poisonous! Is he joking? What the hell is that thing?? Should I be afraid? I hate bugs...

tweeterdj · Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Location: Gwangju

sorry for the huge pic, I was in a hurry, and didn't realize it would be so big

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

That's a house centipede. I used to think they were silverfish, but they're not. I don't know what sort of horrible, unstoppable species the Chinese have engineered in their mad quest for world domination, but the one you have in your house is nothing to fear. They do less damage than c. roaches, and their mouths are too small to pierce the skin. (If you don't believe me, place of few of them on your exposed midriff and see for yourself.)

You probably don't want them crawling around the drains, in the shower, under the sink, etc., but Koreans traditionally regard them as omens of good fortune. ... or was it omens of hideous death from insect venom? I'm pretty sure it's one of those two.

I've reduced and re-posted your photo, so you might delete the one from your post to reestablish the margins.

tweeterdj · Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Location: Gwangju

THANK GOD!

now i can go to bed. that kind of stuff just freaks me out. I mean, my wife was scared, and i, uh, had to find out for her... mmm hmmm...

thanks GURU!!! you're my hero!

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

These are what my husband calls money bug. According to him and Korean tradition, if you see one, you are supposed to get some fortune of sort. So don't kill it...

Laughing

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

I dont care what koreans call them or who ever calls them! I hate bugs
and that thing looks freaky..

man im sure half these creatures in the world come from outtaspace!

dude If I was you.. I would get your house sprayed! totally clean it ..

just imagine that thing found its way into your bed! Shocked

sorry,

Eunoia · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:17 am Post subject:

Dude, if I saw THAT in my apt., I wouldn't be ****ing around trying to take a picture of it.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Some Koreans may say they're "Fortune Bugs" but a lot of them here say they're "dangerous" as well. Something about them being unhealthy, or dirty, or poisonous, or something like that - at least regular centipedes. I'd say kill it and it's little buddy as well as I also detest bugs. Plus, if they're anything like c0ckroaches, you don't want them breeding...those things are nasty.

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

they taste pretty good with gochujang

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

A quick burst of bug spray and by the time you return with the vacuum cleaner, it will be dead.

There was a much larger centipede at my school on the back steps. A teacher used a blow torch on it. I don't know if that was necessary or just for fun.

peppermint · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:45 pm Post subject:

Hairspray works well on these types of "pets". Competely immobilizes them.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Guru's Guidelines for Good Housekeeping says:

"Insects & other house pests? Demolish and rebuild. Always. You don't want to take any chances here".

Maserial · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: The Web

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:17 pm Post subject:

Just use paper and a bag or a box to put it outside.

(There's a Dave's poster with a major phobia about these things. Who was it again? She should be warned before checking out this thread... )

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep