How I Outsmarted Peeping Toms with a Greasy, Ant-Infested Tree: A 90s Tale of Petty Revenge
Some stories of petty revenge are so clever, so delightfully devious, you can’t help but cheer for the underdog. Today’s tale is a masterclass in using your pantry—and a dash of creativity—to serve up some sticky justice. Set in the 90s, this is the story of how one college student in Winter Park, Florida, turned a leafy liability into a fortress of solitude…with just a little help from some unlikely allies: vegetable oil and fire ants.
Picture this: You’ve just moved to a new apartment for college. The Florida sun is relentless, but a huge tree behind your window graciously blocks the heat, keeping your place cool and private. You feel so secure, you don’t even worry about what you wear around the house. But as anyone who’s lived in an apartment complex knows, privacy is sometimes just an illusion—especially when there are kids around with too much time and too little supervision.
Let’s set the scene. One innocent afternoon, our hero is in their apartment, sharing a romantic moment (just some PG-13 smooching, thank you very much) when suddenly, the sound of giggles and laughter breaks the mood. To their horror, several kids have scaled the backyard tree and are peering in at the show. It’s a classic case of “kids will be kids,” but that doesn’t make it any less infuriating.
After yelling at the little voyeurs—who scatter like squirrels—the next logical step is to march down to the apartment office. Surely, the management will put an end to this, right? Wrong. While there is a “No Climbing Trees” rule, the staff basically shrug and say, “What else are the kids supposed to do? There’s nowhere to play.” In other words: deal with it.
But this is r/PettyRevenge, not r/LetItSlide. After a couple more unwanted performances for the tree-climbing peanut gallery, our protagonist hatches a plan worthy of a Saturday morning cartoon villain.
Enter: the shopping spree of vengeance. Armed with two tubs of vegetable oil, dishwashing gloves, a container of honey, and a bag of sugar, and accompanied by a helpful (and tall) friend, our hero sets out under cover of darkness. Their mission? Make the tree as uninviting as possible. They slather the trunk and every reachable branch with slick, greasy oil. But wait—there’s more! A generous ring of honey and a dusting of sugar around the base are added, calculated to lure Florida’s notorious fire ants into the mix.
The aftermath? The next day, the ground tells the story: footprints reveal that the kids tried to climb up again, but the branches and trunk are now impossible to grip. No one makes it up the tree—and with fire ants patrolling the base, attempts dwindle to zero. The apartment remains blissfully private for the rest of the lease.
Why This Petty Revenge Is So Satisfying
What makes this story such a gem is its perfect blend of creativity, justice, and a dash of mischief. There’s no lasting harm (just a lot of dirty hands and maybe a sting or two for the would-be spies), but the lesson is clear: boundaries matter. It’s also a reminder that, sometimes, when authority figures shrug their shoulders, it’s up to you to get inventive.
It’s also delightfully retro. In the age before Ring cameras and privacy glass, you had to rely on old-school tactics—and a well-timed trip to the grocery store. There’s something charming about a world where a tub of Crisco and a sprinkle of sugar could solve your most pressing problems.
Would This Work Today?
Would today’s kids be deterred by a slick tree and a swarm of ants? Maybe, maybe not. But the principle stands. When faced with a problem the “official” way can’t solve, sometimes a little harmless, sticky ingenuity is all it takes to restore your peace.
Your Turn: What’s Your Petty Revenge Story?
Have you ever been forced to get creative when neighbors, roommates, or random kids just wouldn’t respect your space? Did you, too, turn to the pantry for inspiration? Share your best stories in the comments below—let’s swap some 21st-century petty revenge ideas!
And remember: when life gives you nosy neighbors, sometimes all you need is a little oil, a little sugar, and the courage to think outside the box.
Original Reddit Post: Climb the tree so you can peek into my apartment???