How do I catch a roommate that I suspect is stealing my food?

Question

Here's the scenario-- I'm living with 2 other adult women, and I'm suspecting that the one of them is stealing my food straight from our shared fridge. It is clearly not theirs, and I've already asked both of them straight out-- they both denied taking anything.


I am suspicious of one roomie in particular who happens to be my landlord... she smokes up throughout the day (I went downstairs at 4 am to get water once, and I could smell the after scent in the kitchen), so I think she gets midnight 'munchies'. I think my food is more of a target because I eat all sorts of junkie goodness, whereas my other roommate is a health nut. I've also caught the suspect eating some stuff (which I did explicitly welcome her to), but in the middle of the night when I ran into her in the hallway. She seemed very embarassed.


My question is-- How do I catch the perp without having to use a spycam?


Ps. I am considering moving out-- but I won't give up yet!!!

Answer 1

lol i had a simiar situation, its kinda mean but do this . make some good food and put some laxatives in it or something that will give him the runs and once they are sick you can catch em red handed!

Answer 2

I hate that. Here's what my selfish, poor *** used to do... back in the day when I lived with others... I would carefully take the plastic bands off of stuff so that I could put them back on. For Example... put the plastic wrap that seals the ketchup back on to appear that it has not yet been opened. Works for mayonnaise and butter too. No one is bold enough to open your food and eat it - if they think it hasn't yet been opened - they won't touch it.

If they are bold enough... then start doing things like licking the tops of bottles and sticking your finger in your food in front of them. Make sure they see it. They won't touch it. Unless they are really high. In that case... I am at a loss? High people will eat anything.

I only know how to prevent it, but not catch it.
Good luck hoarding!

Answer 3

i found a simple quite blunt way to stop food theft was to get a sharpie and put a big "G" on everything that was mine. sometimes you just have to mark your territory. if you are obvious and put lines on your beverages then they might get mad at you for drawing lines but its your stuff anyway.

I found it is often better to adopt a share program with roommates and it works fine as long as communication lines are open. "i bought milk last week -- could you pick some up please?" is always easy when you can communicate.

usually asking who drank my milk is going to get responses of denial so being polite and moving forward and suggesting since everyone drinks milk why don't we just share?

since your one roommate is your landlord it should be her responsibility to keep the house together. suggest to her that since someone has been in your food you were considering a dorm fridge for your room (which is extra electric in her eyes) and that could stop the theft if it is her doing it.

the best way to handle any roommate situation is always be dripping politeness and always have suggestions on how to solve problems. most people aren't quick enough to come up with alternative solutions so you win in most cases.

please also realize a couple rolls of toilet paper to keep domestic harmony really isn't a big price to pay. i know you can argue the principle thing but while you are arguing principles your milk is disappearing anyway!

Answer 4

hmm.
you could get your own fridge and have it in your room and have a lock with a key on your door.

or you could put something in the food that will make her sick, then when u see which one is sick..then u have the culprit..

but thats kinda cruel..

maybe u can unexpectably show up at times when she thinks you wont be home

the health nut may have binge cravings and be taking the food also haha.

maybe they both do and agree to denie anything..

Answer 5

Put a mouse trap in your wallet. Seriously, you should set up a sting with another friend. Leave a large amount of money out. They will be tempted because the more there is, the less likely you will notice "justs a teeny bit "gone, right? Use a camera, too.

Answer 6

Laxatives in the food or buy some ex-lax chocolate with real
chocolate and hide all the toilet paper... Then you'll know who
the person is and get revenge at the same time!! Ha Ha LOL

If you do this, tell us all about it !!

Answer 7

you could poison something and leave it in the fridge then whoever dies the next day you'll know was the one that was stealing the food :p oor .. find out what she doesn like to eat and start eating that? oor .. put some coloring or non-water based paint on the wrapper or container or whatever then you could just glance at everyones hands the next day and check .. might get lucky heh

Answer 8

Firstly, are you a male? If so, who cares, you are living with two adult chicks!!!

Secondly, on a serious note...hide the food! If they ask you where it is, they are stealing it, I they don't, they will simply starve to death, hence ending your complicated dilema in a legal, scrupulous manner!

Answer 9

Use a Q-tip and rub some food coloring along the inside-edge of the container or package. When she puts her hand in, she gets nothing worse than colored hands, and you have your culprit.

Answer 10

simple- leave a trap- spike some food with super laxative, or a dye that will turn thier tounge blue...