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Invisible Housemates
No man is an island, but even if he were, there would be no escaping the many quieter beings that share space with him. From spiders weaving webs in the corners of our living rooms, to the gecko waiting for careless moths outside our windows, no person is ever alone, and this should be reason enough to uncover the secrets of the animals around us. To get to know our invisible housemates.
This book not only brings you folk stories, myths and details of local and cultural beliefs about these animals, but also information about the roles they play in shaping modern pop-culture and scientific inquiry - leading to breakthroughs that can save lives.
This book not only brings you folk stories, myths and details of local and cultural beliefs about these animals, but also information about the roles they play in shaping modern pop-culture and scientific inquiry - leading to breakthroughs that can save lives.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2025
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September 9, 2026
Most city-dwellers think of ‘animals’ either as pets—dogs and cats, in particular—or as wildlife.
Large mammals: deer, big cats and other creatures one sees only at zoos or on trips to national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. Few of us stop to think of the many creatures with whom we share our homes and our streets. Even if we do take notice of pigeons, crows, monkeys, ants and the myriad other creatures that surround us, we usually dismiss them. At best, they (cockroaches, mosquitoes, or monkeys) are deemed a nuisance or dangerous, or—as in the case of pigeons or squirrels—there is a general belief that these are harmless creatures, worthy of being indulged with occasional feeding.
Rarely do we bother to really think about these creatures—the ‘invisible housemates’ of the title of Deepa Padmanaban’s book—even though across the world, humans are surrounded by them. Mosquitoes, ants and bees are among the species that are found on every continent, barring Antarctica. Monkeys, pigeons, crows, lizards and frogs are abundant too, especially in India, including in cities. But how much do we know about these creatures?
Padmanaban’s Invisible Housemates is a slim book, divided into 13 chapters, each focussing on a different genus, comprising three birds (pigeons, crows, sparrows); three mammals (rats, squirrels, monkeys); four insects (cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes, bees); and frogs, geckos, and spiders. Each chapter examines its subject from multiple angles, always beginning with a personal anecdote about the writer’s connection to the creature: the sparrows that would steal her French toast when she was a child, the squirrels she watches playing in the greenery outside her home, or the torment inflicted by mosquitoes. This is followed by a very wide-ranging exploration of the species and its corresponding genus. Thus, while the writer might refer specifically to Indian palm squirrels in her anecdote about these creatures, the chapter on squirrels does not restrict itself to this species, or even to Indian species of squirrels. Instead, she discusses squirrels as a genus, running the gamut from Malabar giant squirrels to the red squirrels and grey squirrels of Europe and America, various species of flying squirrels, and more.
Padmanaban discusses each genus from diverse angles, including how these creatures have been regarded in mythology, legend and folklore across the world, and how they have made their way into popular culture, from books to cinema and television. For instance, rats and spiders from the Harry Potter canon; Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Show and Sesame Street; Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, in which the protagonist turns into—probably—a cockroach; and Ratatouille’s chef-rat, Remy.
Also, very importantly, Padmanaban delves into the science surrounding these creatures. For example, she explains the science that helps demystify the dangerous nuisance, the mosquito: how and why female mosquitoes drink blood, why some people seem to be ‘mosquito magnets’, and how science might help us finally eradicate mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Similarly, she examines other species and what scientific research over the years has revealed about them:
their anatomy, their behaviour, surprising facts about (say) their resilience or intelligence. How many people, for instance, would know that cockroaches ‘are the only creatures considered to possibly survive a nuclear war. Some can even live for weeks without their heads, and since they do not have blood, they don’t bleed out…’ (p. 39). There are many more astonishing facts here: who could guess that rats are ticklish and ‘laugh’ when tickled? Or that the Matabele ants of Africa are skilled physicians, capable of sophisticated wound-care techniques? Or that the intelligence and sharpness of crows can be harnessed to benefit humans? At least two start-ups use crows for environmental clean-ups.
Also tied in with these scientific insights into species is the role that several of them—especially monkeys and rats—play in scientific research: the concept of the ‘lab rat’. Padmanaban discusses the important scientific breakthroughs, especially in medicine, that have come about through research on animals, and, though far too briefly, the ethical ramifications of this practice.
Padmanaban’s fascination with the creatures around us is apparent. She does not flinch from confessing her own initial squeamishness and preconceived notions about some of these creatures, such as spiders, cockroaches and geckos. However, reading her absorbing descriptions of these birds, insects, rodents, etc., one cannot help but realise that perhaps taking the trouble to understand them might help us live better alongside them. It is when one sees the hidden wonders of these creatures, which we either take for granted or perhaps even find disgusting, that we can appreciate them better.
Padmanaban’s research is impressive: she draws on many disciplines and fields to compile a dossier for each of the genera she discusses in this book. Whether it is environmental science and zoology, history, folklore and mythology, literature or cinema, or indeed any other field that has a connection to a particular species, Padmanaban draws out interesting facts to make her point. This, however, tends to create what might amount to overkill for some readers. There is so much information, and it is so compressed into a few pages, that it would be impossible for anyone to retain it all. At times, it becomes obvious that the author herself has found it impossible to choose what to include and has been forced to prune information to fit a word count, even at the expense of the content. For instance, when discussing how cockroaches (which can carry DNA from crime scenes) can be used to help in criminal investigations, she writes: ‘There are even documented cases of medico-criminal entomology dating back to thirteenth-century China’ (p. 41). A fascinating fact, and one which should have been further explained, but which is left as it is.
Another slightly confusing aspect of this book is the question of its target audience. Given that Padmanaban begins each chapter with anecdotes about species commonly seen in India, rather than those one might encounter in the cities and towns of Europe, America or Australia, such as raccoons or opossums, it is reasonable to assume that the book has been written with an Indian readership in mind. In that case, it might have been more appropriate to retain the focus on the species Indians encounter rather than the entire genus. As it stands, the specifically ‘Indian’ species tend to occupy only a small section of most chapters. The bulk of each chapter is devoted to the mythology, folklore, science and more of non-Indian species. While this is fascinating to those deeply interested in nature, the average Indian reader might feel disconnected.
These drawbacks, however, are minor. Invisible Housemates is an important book that offers us, humans, a glimpse into the non-human creatures that live alongside us. It is well-written and informative, and the author’s deep interest in and passion for her subject are evident. For a city-dweller interested in nature but possibly unable to be in close contact with the ‘wild’, this book
offers a chance to understand the creatures that live alongside us in urban settlements. For such readers, whether adults or adolescents, it can be an engrossing and enlightening read.
(Originally reviewed for the journal of the India International Centre).
Large mammals: deer, big cats and other creatures one sees only at zoos or on trips to national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. Few of us stop to think of the many creatures with whom we share our homes and our streets. Even if we do take notice of pigeons, crows, monkeys, ants and the myriad other creatures that surround us, we usually dismiss them. At best, they (cockroaches, mosquitoes, or monkeys) are deemed a nuisance or dangerous, or—as in the case of pigeons or squirrels—there is a general belief that these are harmless creatures, worthy of being indulged with occasional feeding.
Rarely do we bother to really think about these creatures—the ‘invisible housemates’ of the title of Deepa Padmanaban’s book—even though across the world, humans are surrounded by them. Mosquitoes, ants and bees are among the species that are found on every continent, barring Antarctica. Monkeys, pigeons, crows, lizards and frogs are abundant too, especially in India, including in cities. But how much do we know about these creatures?
Padmanaban’s Invisible Housemates is a slim book, divided into 13 chapters, each focussing on a different genus, comprising three birds (pigeons, crows, sparrows); three mammals (rats, squirrels, monkeys); four insects (cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes, bees); and frogs, geckos, and spiders. Each chapter examines its subject from multiple angles, always beginning with a personal anecdote about the writer’s connection to the creature: the sparrows that would steal her French toast when she was a child, the squirrels she watches playing in the greenery outside her home, or the torment inflicted by mosquitoes. This is followed by a very wide-ranging exploration of the species and its corresponding genus. Thus, while the writer might refer specifically to Indian palm squirrels in her anecdote about these creatures, the chapter on squirrels does not restrict itself to this species, or even to Indian species of squirrels. Instead, she discusses squirrels as a genus, running the gamut from Malabar giant squirrels to the red squirrels and grey squirrels of Europe and America, various species of flying squirrels, and more.
Padmanaban discusses each genus from diverse angles, including how these creatures have been regarded in mythology, legend and folklore across the world, and how they have made their way into popular culture, from books to cinema and television. For instance, rats and spiders from the Harry Potter canon; Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Show and Sesame Street; Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, in which the protagonist turns into—probably—a cockroach; and Ratatouille’s chef-rat, Remy.
Also, very importantly, Padmanaban delves into the science surrounding these creatures. For example, she explains the science that helps demystify the dangerous nuisance, the mosquito: how and why female mosquitoes drink blood, why some people seem to be ‘mosquito magnets’, and how science might help us finally eradicate mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Similarly, she examines other species and what scientific research over the years has revealed about them:
their anatomy, their behaviour, surprising facts about (say) their resilience or intelligence. How many people, for instance, would know that cockroaches ‘are the only creatures considered to possibly survive a nuclear war. Some can even live for weeks without their heads, and since they do not have blood, they don’t bleed out…’ (p. 39). There are many more astonishing facts here: who could guess that rats are ticklish and ‘laugh’ when tickled? Or that the Matabele ants of Africa are skilled physicians, capable of sophisticated wound-care techniques? Or that the intelligence and sharpness of crows can be harnessed to benefit humans? At least two start-ups use crows for environmental clean-ups.
Also tied in with these scientific insights into species is the role that several of them—especially monkeys and rats—play in scientific research: the concept of the ‘lab rat’. Padmanaban discusses the important scientific breakthroughs, especially in medicine, that have come about through research on animals, and, though far too briefly, the ethical ramifications of this practice.
Padmanaban’s fascination with the creatures around us is apparent. She does not flinch from confessing her own initial squeamishness and preconceived notions about some of these creatures, such as spiders, cockroaches and geckos. However, reading her absorbing descriptions of these birds, insects, rodents, etc., one cannot help but realise that perhaps taking the trouble to understand them might help us live better alongside them. It is when one sees the hidden wonders of these creatures, which we either take for granted or perhaps even find disgusting, that we can appreciate them better.
Padmanaban’s research is impressive: she draws on many disciplines and fields to compile a dossier for each of the genera she discusses in this book. Whether it is environmental science and zoology, history, folklore and mythology, literature or cinema, or indeed any other field that has a connection to a particular species, Padmanaban draws out interesting facts to make her point. This, however, tends to create what might amount to overkill for some readers. There is so much information, and it is so compressed into a few pages, that it would be impossible for anyone to retain it all. At times, it becomes obvious that the author herself has found it impossible to choose what to include and has been forced to prune information to fit a word count, even at the expense of the content. For instance, when discussing how cockroaches (which can carry DNA from crime scenes) can be used to help in criminal investigations, she writes: ‘There are even documented cases of medico-criminal entomology dating back to thirteenth-century China’ (p. 41). A fascinating fact, and one which should have been further explained, but which is left as it is.
Another slightly confusing aspect of this book is the question of its target audience. Given that Padmanaban begins each chapter with anecdotes about species commonly seen in India, rather than those one might encounter in the cities and towns of Europe, America or Australia, such as raccoons or opossums, it is reasonable to assume that the book has been written with an Indian readership in mind. In that case, it might have been more appropriate to retain the focus on the species Indians encounter rather than the entire genus. As it stands, the specifically ‘Indian’ species tend to occupy only a small section of most chapters. The bulk of each chapter is devoted to the mythology, folklore, science and more of non-Indian species. While this is fascinating to those deeply interested in nature, the average Indian reader might feel disconnected.
These drawbacks, however, are minor. Invisible Housemates is an important book that offers us, humans, a glimpse into the non-human creatures that live alongside us. It is well-written and informative, and the author’s deep interest in and passion for her subject are evident. For a city-dweller interested in nature but possibly unable to be in close contact with the ‘wild’, this book
offers a chance to understand the creatures that live alongside us in urban settlements. For such readers, whether adults or adolescents, it can be an engrossing and enlightening read.
(Originally reviewed for the journal of the India International Centre).
October 24, 2025
Invisible Housemates by Deepa Padmanabhan is a fascinating and eye-opening book about the innate abilities of insects and tiny creatures that quietly share our living spaces. Many of these beings are the ones we often fear, feel allergic to, or prefer not to encounter or even talk about. Yet, through this book, the author sheds light on their lesser-known qualities and remarkable contributions to human life and the environment.
This is not just a book about insects — it is about understanding our invisible co-inhabitants and their indispensable roles in maintaining the ecosystem. It helps readers familiarise themselves with the creatures that surround us, revealing how they keep the ecological balance intact, sustain the food chain, and influence the air we breathe and the food we eat.
Deepa Padmanabhan has done a tremendous job in compiling scientific, medical, and agricultural insights about these creatures in an engaging and accessible way. Certain parts of the book touch upon well-known beliefs or mythological associations, but what makes it stand out is the depth of research. The author goes beyond the obvious, weaving together facts and figures from around the world, supported by references from literature, films, religious scriptures, and contemporary studies.
The book’s flow is smooth and never dry — each of its thirteen chapters deals with one insect or creature, moving steadily from one perspective to another, leaving the reader in awe and wonder. These are not rare or exotic species but the very ones we come across in our everyday lives — seen, ignored, or even swatted away.
Nearly 31 pages of references add immense value to the book, assuring readers of the author’s authentic and responsible approach to the subject. This meticulous documentation also reflects her commitment to passing on the right information to readers.
The book spans the journey of these tiny beings from the dawn of human civilisation to the present day, tracing how they evolved, adapted, and even travelled to other continents hidden within cargo shipments. Each chapter is a fresh take on a new creature, making the reading experience thoroughly engaging. In just 220 pages, the author delivers a wide-ranging and in-depth analysis of these invisible housemates, blending science, history, and culture with effortless grace.
Invisible Housemates is fit for readers of all age groups — anyone with a curiosity about their surroundings will find it delightful and enlightening. With its inviting title and glossy cover, complete with well-crafted depictions of tiny creatures in appropriate colours, the book stands apart from a conventional zoology volume.
In fact, it would be wonderful to introduce the book to children through shorter, adapted chapters. Such exposure can help remove fear and aversion towards insects while nurturing an early appreciation for ecology. Combining mythology, science, culture, environmental awareness, and global comparisons, this book offers young minds a window into the fascinating interconnectedness of life on Earth.
By the end, readers are sure to look at these invisible housemates with renewed respect and wonder — seeing them not as pests, but as partners in the planet’s delicate balance. Do grab a copy of this engaging work, and you will find yourself pouring appreciation toward the author for bringing to light the hidden, living parts of our world.
This is not just a book about insects — it is about understanding our invisible co-inhabitants and their indispensable roles in maintaining the ecosystem. It helps readers familiarise themselves with the creatures that surround us, revealing how they keep the ecological balance intact, sustain the food chain, and influence the air we breathe and the food we eat.
Deepa Padmanabhan has done a tremendous job in compiling scientific, medical, and agricultural insights about these creatures in an engaging and accessible way. Certain parts of the book touch upon well-known beliefs or mythological associations, but what makes it stand out is the depth of research. The author goes beyond the obvious, weaving together facts and figures from around the world, supported by references from literature, films, religious scriptures, and contemporary studies.
The book’s flow is smooth and never dry — each of its thirteen chapters deals with one insect or creature, moving steadily from one perspective to another, leaving the reader in awe and wonder. These are not rare or exotic species but the very ones we come across in our everyday lives — seen, ignored, or even swatted away.
Nearly 31 pages of references add immense value to the book, assuring readers of the author’s authentic and responsible approach to the subject. This meticulous documentation also reflects her commitment to passing on the right information to readers.
The book spans the journey of these tiny beings from the dawn of human civilisation to the present day, tracing how they evolved, adapted, and even travelled to other continents hidden within cargo shipments. Each chapter is a fresh take on a new creature, making the reading experience thoroughly engaging. In just 220 pages, the author delivers a wide-ranging and in-depth analysis of these invisible housemates, blending science, history, and culture with effortless grace.
Invisible Housemates is fit for readers of all age groups — anyone with a curiosity about their surroundings will find it delightful and enlightening. With its inviting title and glossy cover, complete with well-crafted depictions of tiny creatures in appropriate colours, the book stands apart from a conventional zoology volume.
In fact, it would be wonderful to introduce the book to children through shorter, adapted chapters. Such exposure can help remove fear and aversion towards insects while nurturing an early appreciation for ecology. Combining mythology, science, culture, environmental awareness, and global comparisons, this book offers young minds a window into the fascinating interconnectedness of life on Earth.
By the end, readers are sure to look at these invisible housemates with renewed respect and wonder — seeing them not as pests, but as partners in the planet’s delicate balance. Do grab a copy of this engaging work, and you will find yourself pouring appreciation toward the author for bringing to light the hidden, living parts of our world.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews