Ant infestations are bad enough, but dealing with one because of someone else’s mess makes it even worse.

So, what would you do if your roommate threw food into your trash can, inviting ants into your space?

Would you clean up after them and move on?

Or would you find a way to shift the problem right back where it belongs?

In the following story, one dorm resident finds himself in this exact scenario.

Here’s how he’s handling it.

My roommate threw food in my trash can in the midst of an ant infestation, so I’m directing them towards him

I live in a really cramped dorm room, one that can’t even fit two people comfortably, let alone 3.

For the last few months or so, people in our building have been complaining about a serious ant problem, but we were spared last semester.

Yesterday, I woke up and noticed there were about 5 or so ants on the wall by my plug; well, that sucks.

Frustrated, now there are even more ants.

Anyway, I leave the room and start my day, I had no classes so I just went to get something to eat and then I did my radio show.

Once I get back to my room, I see a brown bag in my trash can.

I take a closer look and see that it contains the wrapper of a burger, a few french fries, and a mostly empty soda.

And, of course, I also see that the bag is infested with ants.

I take a look at the spot on the wall from that morning, and there are more like 30 ants.

He puts a little plan in motion.

I immediately threw that bag outside into the dumpster, but I felt kind of angry that I had to clean up my roommate’s mess that he threw in MY trash can.

I’m also suffering the consequences.

Since then, every time I see an ant on my desk, I just flick it in the direction of his area.

His bed is within clear eyeshot of my desk, so I can easily direct them that way.

I’m not sure if it’s doing anything.

I don’t believe ants take “fall damage,” but they could just be dying or coming back my direction, so I’m going to continue to throw the ants in that direction.

Wow! Not sure that’s going to solve the problem, but okay.

Let’s check out what advice the readers over at Reddit have to offer about ants.

This is great to know.

Another great suggestion.

It won’t solve the problem, but at least the roommate will be dealing with it, too.

Here’s a lesson in ant anatomy.

Those poor little ants!

Rather than doing this over and over, he should find a way to get rid of the ants and then fill his roommate in on what happened so he won’t do it again.

If you liked that story, check out this post about a group of employees who got together and why working from home was a good financial decision.