Household
pests:

Gnomes are fairly
small creatures with maximum height of one
foot. Large heads, no hair, feet are
hornlike and very hard, tough brown/tan skin, resemble a potato. They can be
found in northern Europe and North America. They are
classified as XX and are in the
beast category. They have little intelligence, but they have been known to say
things such as “Geroff me” during a de-gnoming. This is how they say “get off
me” other than this they are known to grunt, scream, and mutter angrily after
being thrown. Gnomes are known to scramble to the surface and watch a
de-gnoming happen.

Why
do we need to de-gnome?

Gnomes like to burrow down in the ground. Their
favorite locations are in the gardens of witches and wizards. If left alone,
gnomes will overpopulate and soon take over the garden. They like to dig up and
eat the roots of the plants and will destroy the entire garden. Finding mounds
of dirt in the garden is a sure way to know that gnomes have moved in.

How do we de-gnome?

Some options all work!

1)  Spin and toss

2)  Grab it by its
ankles and swing it

3)  Toss the gnomes
after swinging it.

4)  The other method
is the jarvey method. Get a jarvey and release it into a gnome hold and let it
do its business. (this is not a normal method as it is a very bloody mess)

Are there any uses for gnomes?

According to Xenophillius Lovegood, an
infestation of gnomes can be seen as a blessing. He believes that gnome saliva
has unusual properties that can increase one’s creativity. He claims that
people bitten often have the urge to sing Opera or give a speak in Mermish. The
Lovegood also believe that gnomes have magical capabilities. No studies have
proven this to be credible.

What to do
when bitten by a gnome.

Prevention –
always wear dragon hide gloves!

Go inside and wash the bite with soap for a minimum
of 3 minutes. Dry the wound and if you have one apply an antibacterial potion
to the area. Once the wound is clean of any dirt and/or debris, use a healing
potion such as Essence of Dittany.
If you are unsure what to use, seek nearest medical facility. Once you have
used the healing potion, dress the wound with a bandage. Make sure bandage is
appropriate size. Change bandages as needed and if infection occurs, seek help
immediately.

Signs of a gnome bite infection include:

1) 
Swelling at the
site of the bite

2) 
Redness at the
bite

3) 
Pus draining from
the wound

4) 
Skin around the
bite feeling feverish

Doxies –
known as the “biting Fairy,” are found in Northern Europe and America and this
is thought to be because they like cooler climates. They are a XXX classified beast. The differences
between doxies and fairies are that doxies are covered in black hair, have an
extra pair of arms and legs, and have two rows of razor sharp teeth. Doxies have
wings like fairies, but doxies wings are curved, thick, and they have a shininess
similar to a beetle’s. A doxy can lay up to 500 eggs at one time and
only take two – three weeks before hatching.  They like to take up residence in draperies
and sometimes in closets. They are extremely venomous. Once you know you have
an infestation, you should remove yourself from the home and immediately call
for a trained professional to come remove the doxies. Should you do this
yourself you can buy some Doxycide. Doxycide is a foul smelling solution that
is black in color. You spray it on them and they will become temporarily
paralyzed. This will enable you to safely remove the doxies from your home. Be sure to wear dragon hide gloves when
handling the creatures.If you get bitten, seek professional help
immediately. While most people will only have a mild reaction, some can be
severely allergic to Doxy venom.

Mild Reactions to Doxy
Venom:

• Redness around bite


• Some swelling around bite


• Slight dizziness


• Headache

Allergic Reactions to
Doxy Venom:

• Feeling faint


• Difficulty breathing


• Numbness/Tingling


• Swelling of face


• Loss of consciousness


• Sudden mood change


• Confusion


• Extreme swelling in nodes

Are there uses for Doxy venom?

Fred
and George Weasley use Doxy venom as an ingredient in their Skiving Snack boxes.