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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take dd to a&e after handling ant bait box

36 replies

AntInvasion · 18/07/2017 02:21

To give context.

We've had an ant problem, so bought a couple of enclosed ant bait boxes. One placed on kitchen work surface and the other placed outside on our living room balcony ( there is a tiny hole in the wall next to the balcony door that they pass through). There was a fair few of them in the living room early evening, so I moved the box inside next to the hole about 7pm, before dd (18mnths) went to bed (DH not at home). DH came home at 12.30 ish and noticed ant box missing from balcony, I said I moved ant box inside, but it wasn't where I said it was, DD had picked it up and placed it next to TV.

DH has taken DD to A&E. I think he is overreacting and I've stayed at home. It is an enclosed gel (sumithrin) bait box, DD would have played with the box about 5 hours ago. She has been bathed, teeth cleaned etc, showed no signs of any adverse reaction to the gel, sleeping soundly. I think most likely she hasn't even come into contact wit the gel inside the box.

AIBU or DH? WWYD? DH and I aren't getting on very well, I find him irrational and difficult to deal with so would appreciate an objective view of this situaion.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 18/07/2017 02:29

I can't help with the a and e situation because I don't really understand what you are talking about, but my dad always put a thick trail of salt around the house to keep ants out and he swears by it.

I hope you are ok. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Original poster
AntInvasion · 18/07/2017 02:36

Thanks. Basically she picked up one of these which I had left on the floor.

www.amazon.co.uk/Action-Station-Destroys-Protects-Children/dp/B007EAH7AU?tag=mumsnetforum-21

OP posts:
FluffyPineapple · 18/07/2017 02:36

Eh?? Did your dd show any signs of being bitten.....as in distressed??

Original poster
AntInvasion · 18/07/2017 02:44

No. Basically she picked up the box which contains the ant bait gel. Maybe played with it and left it next to the TV. I don't think she's even came into contact with the gel inside the box, which contains the pesticide.

OP posts:
Original poster
AntInvasion · 18/07/2017 02:47

Sorry if this is unclear. I'm tired and it it makes perfect sense to me at least.

OP posts:
woollytights · 18/07/2017 02:51

I think he was NBU to take her. He was worried and did what he thought was right as a parent. Obviously she doesn't appear to have come to any harm which is great but it's not the end of the world to make sure. Maybe 111 would have been a more practical first step.

I wouldn't be angry at him for being overly cautious, better than nothing after all.

Piewraith · 18/07/2017 03:06

He is over reacting. If the box was still sealed she couldn't have touched the gel. As a nurse I can tell you we get that sort of thing all the time. Parents bring their kid in a panic and the "problem" turns out to be a paper cut or that the kid licked the ground. With such a minor non problem they will take hours to be seen, so enjoy the quiet and relax.

Cupcakegirl13 · 18/07/2017 03:16

Total waste of time if she didn't consume any gel

LinoleumBlownapart · 18/07/2017 03:33

He probably should have called to find out what the dangers would be. When my then 12 month old son ate toilet duck fresh disc gel, I called NHS direct who were able to tell me what was in the gel and that it wasn't life threatening but that it would cause almost instant vomiting and diarrhoea, which did commence on cue. They then we're able to give me the address of the nearest 24 surgery who checked him over in under 30 minutes and it gave me peace of mind and kept A&E free.

But your DH has gone now so not much use in telling you that, other than it might put your mind and rest to know that if she had consumed any gel, you probably would have known about it hours ago. Hope I'm right.

KoalaDownUnder · 18/07/2017 03:42

I think that is ridiculous.

KoalaDownUnder · 18/07/2017 03:45

Unless you found the box chewed on and cracked apart with the gel exposed?

Other than that, it's hours later and she was fast asleep. She is obviously fine.

He's a dickhead for wasting resources.

Aquamarine1029 · 18/07/2017 04:08

Your husband is hysterical. Not funny hysterical. Crazy hysterical.

pinkdelight · 18/07/2017 07:17

How bizarre. Bit like panicking that your DD had touched a car, not been hit by one. She didn't do the thing that was dangerous. Yanbu.

pinkmagic1 · 18/07/2017 07:27

He is being silly and wasting A&E time. Your dd didn't consume the gel as that is concealed inside the box. Is he normally so over cautious?

DeadGood · 18/07/2017 07:28

It's one of those things - if he is worried about it, then yes he should take her.

Are you concerned about the disruption to her sleep?

I think you should just accept that he's done it, it won't do her any harm and you can enjoy the quiet.

Sirzy · 18/07/2017 07:31

He sounds like he has over reacted. Did it say anything in the packaging?

But maybe this is a good time to have a think about where you put things like this/what you use.

SparklyMagpie · 18/07/2017 07:41

How did they get on at A&E OP?

3luckystars · 18/07/2017 08:20

Sorry I meant I didn't understand what an ant bait box was! Your post is very clear, you are right.

I'm in Ireland but we have a poison unit here, it's a 24 hour number and it's so handy for situations like this. Do you have similar in the UK? If so then stick it up on the fridge for your husband.

I hope you work it out. (and try the salt!) good luck.

SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 18/07/2017 08:27

If she has only touched the undamaged box and shows no sign of any ill effects many hours later then what on earth could A&E do??? Phoning 111 for advice would be reasonable. Clogging up A&E with a healthy child who appears to have not come into contact with the pesticide inside is a waste of everyone's time.

MiddleClassProblem · 18/07/2017 08:32

No symptoms then I wouldn't have. I'm not sure what they could have done?

Ground cinnamon sounds like some crazy old wives tale but it works! Don't it myself. Although your home does smell like a Danish pastry in certain areas.

SouthWestmom · 18/07/2017 08:37

On another note. Can I just suggest polyfilla for the small hole?

babybubblescomingsoon · 18/07/2017 08:45

Agrée with PP's. If no symptoms after all that time then no. Hope she got on ok at A+E op

museumum · 18/07/2017 09:13

It does say wash hands after use so I wouldn't have put it anywhere an 18mo old can reach it.
But given she's had a bath etc I wouldn't have gone to a&e. Maybe called NHS direct?

AtHomeDadGlos · 18/07/2017 09:17

Daft. We've just ordered some of those as came back to the house yesterday and found an outside wall crawling with the buggers. And those flying ones too. I think they're nesting under my house and in the wall. Makes my skin crawl.

Do they work?

On the plus side I now have a grown respect for spiders who caught loads of the flying bastards for their lunch.

toosexyforyahshirt · 18/07/2017 09:55

He was worried and did what he thought was right as a parent. Obviously she doesn't appear to have come to any harm which is great but it's not the end of the world to make sure

That's a crappy excuse for wasting time, money and clogging up the waiting room. Can you imagine the triage convo (after several hour wait possibly):
"so why are you here today?
" "well my child touched a childproof box that contains poison, but she didn't come in contact with it and is perfectly fine"
"well what the fuckity would you like us to do about that?!"