The past two weeks here on La Finca have truly tried my patience and commitment. Fortunately, my friends, one in particular have helped me get through these days with their support and humor. Many times late at night, I have heard a loud thud in the attic. I always meant to ask the guys but never got around to it, as I usually forget by morning. Early December, a good friend of mine came for a visit. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and children. He stayed here for three nights and returned home. Two weeks later I received an email from him that he was very ill. His doctor had contacted the CDC as he told his physician he had been to El Salvador. He went through every test imaginable, even a spinal tap. The conclusion was Malaria which I found surprising since there have been very few outbreaks here in recent years. I felt terrible about his illness. Another week passed, and his doctors told him that he didn’t have Malaria. He had Dengue Fever from a mosquito bite. Well, not much better and I still felt terrible. Six days ago, he called to tell me, that once again the doctors had misdiagnosed his condition. He was suffering from Histoplasmosis, a fungus carried by bird and bat droppings. His doctor said he could’ve picked it up anywhere, even on the airplane or San Francisco. I felt much better thinking that at least he wasn’t ill because of his visit.
That night, as I was falling asleep, there were more thuds in the attic. I remembered this time and asked the guys if they knew what it was. They told me that those were the fruit bats living in the attic. They love mangoes and spit out the pit once they have sucked all the juice. My heart started fluttering. It was one of those moments where everything coalesces simultaneously in your mind. I heard those gears in my brain connecting dots….illness, Histoplasmosis, fungus, bird droppings, and bats. Oh no!
There had been bats before I came, lots of them, but I thought they had vacated since the house is now inhabited. I told Carlito to put the ladder up so I could take a look. Everywhere I turned, there were bats hanging from the rafters staring down at me. I looked at the attic floor and I was speechless. Bat guano at least a foot deep. I was horrified as I climbed down the ladder. I gathered everyone together and told them there would be no more coffee pruning until this mess was cleaned up. Ever's father who worked for my grandfather told me that the bats had always lived up there. I had another one of those brain twisting moments. Why didn’t anyone say anything to me? Didn’t they know this was dangerous to everyone’s health? Where do I start? What do I do? How did I get here? Mr. Wizard, send help!
Next morning, the boys rolled up their sleeves, put on masks, grabbed every extension cord and lamp in the house. They sprayed the attic with water to prevent the dust from flying around, and spent the next four days shoveling poop. I was astounded as they lowered bucket after bucket laden with fruit pits. Dust was falling from between the ceiling boards and in no time, the house was covered with a black powdery coat. We had covered all the furniture, but it was still a nightmare. The guys, much to my surprise were good natured about the whole thing, blasting Latin Regatone music while laughing the day away.
By Friday, I was so thoroughly disgusted, frustrated, and overwhelmed, that I fled to the ocean. With all the action going on in the attic and contractors who were still working on the new wall and bathroom remodeling, there was no peace to be found.
I came home late Sunday night and by Monday, we were finally finished. I bought the strongest disinfectant that Salinas Hardware had to offer, and Evers spent a good hour spraying every inch of the attic. The last three days have been spent cleaning the house from top to bottom with gallons of bleach. I have a mountain of bat guano which the men tell me will make excellent fertilizer. At first, I couldn’t even stomach the idea. Just get rid of it! I finally did a little research and have to admit they might have a point.
There are only a few bats up there tonight. We are either going to throw up wire mesh and close off all the openings which are vast, or install a sonic bat deterrent. We should probably do both. Fortunately, Histoplasmosis is treatable and my friend has made a full recovery. The attic is now clean and I certainly hope my great grandfather is looking down on me with a smile. Of all the generations, I drew the short straw on this one.
Come to see us at times to obtain more information and facts at all events By us at the moment to grasp more low-down and facts anyway Kalendarze
Posted by: Reskexhamma | 02/07/2012 at 03:16 AM