Throughout his journal, Harry frequently complains of the bugs and pests which seem to plague the couple wherever they go.
[...] cockaroches [i.e. cockroaches] eat us alive. have simptoms [i.e. symptoms] of [underlined: Lice] [...]
[...] found bed Bugs and plenty of fleas in Bed. no good. its tough.
Due to bees, Harry and his companion Jack cannot even enter their home at one point:
Jack and I went for a walk. came back couldn't get in the house. it was full of bees. Had to stand out in the cold 2 hrs.
As the summer months approach and the weather begins to warm, Harry notices the emergence of flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs.
[...] Flies + Mosguitos [i.e., Mosquitos] make it Look like its [Snowing, S overwritten [1 letter illegible] [...]
Peculaar [i.e., Peculiar] Bugs & flies are making their appearance, Very poisonous insects [...]
In dealing with the poisonous insects, Harry constructs a screen door to keep the flies out, which his neighbours go out of their way to examine:
Made screen door, people come for Miles to inspect the funny thing, and Modern way of Keeping out flies. Millions of flies
Rodents too, seemed to roam the Byers' home, although Harry does not write of them as often as the other pests.
Killed Mouse under [crossed out: Bead] Bed Looked for. Lice. + found Some [...]
