Everything about Varmint totally explained
Vermin is a term applied to various animal species regarded as
pests or nuisances and especially to those associated with the carrying of
disease. Since the term is defined in relation to human activities, which species are included will vary from area to area and even person to person. The term itself derives from the Latin vermis, meaning worm, and originally had reference to the
vermiform larvae of certain insects, many of which infest foodstuffs.
Disease-carrying
rodents and
insects are the usual case, but the term is also applied to larger animals, on the basis that they exist out of
balance with a desired
environment, consuming excessive
resources.
Pigeons, which have been widely introduced in urban environments, may be considered vermin, or, pejoratively, "flying rats." Some varieties of snake are also referred to as vermin from time to time.
The term is also used as an extremely pejorative characterization of a particular
class or
group of people as inferior and
subhuman, and often considered
social parasites. Application of the term can be wide, having been applied over the centuries in different
languages, to various groups, and its use is usually based on a
perception that the target group's views are "disease-like," or that such groups exist out of
sociological balance with the common society.
Spelling distinction
"
Varmint" (occasionally "
varmit") is an
American-English colloquialism. The term describes farm pests which raid farms as opposed to infest farms: mainly predators such as foxes and coyotes, sometimes even wolves; but also (to a lesser degree) herbivores and burrowing animals which directly damage crops and land. Although this isn't a prevalent term in
Standard Written English, it's a common descriptor for certain kinds of weapons and
pest control situations (for example, "
varmint guns", "
varmint hunting", "pesky varmint").
Deterioration of balance
Introduced species can develop into vermin in the regions where they were introduced if they find favourable living conditions, and if they face few or no natural enemies there. In such cases, humans often choose to fill the role of the
predator to limit the danger to the environment. A prime example of vermin is
goats on the
Galápagos Islands.
Rats, mice, and cockroaches are common urban and suburban vermin.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Varmint'.
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