An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away - But So Does Pest Prevention

Rats, roaches, flies, and other vermins carry innumerable pathogens that spread serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases. Exposure to any type of pests can carry the risk of disease, serious allergic reaction, and exposure to dangerous bacteria. You may have already known that many pests are unsanitary and can cause severe health hazards, but we will elaborate on the extent to which pests can create health threats.

Disease

Every summer there are news reports across North America about the danger of West Nile virus carried by the common mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes around your home is to eliminate any stagnant water, which is their preferred breeding ground.

Ticks also carry the major risk of Lyme disease; characterized by flu-like symptoms and a “bull’s eye” rash on the spot of the bite. Ticks aren’t just a problem in the Northeastern United States -- they’ve begun to spread much farther south than most people realize.

Allergic Reaction And Asthma

Cockroaches can be very dangerous for those who suffer environmental allergies. Their saliva, droppings, and decomposing bodies can worsen asthma symptoms, especially in children and health-compromised individuals.

Mold and mildew can also aggravate upper respiratory problems, such as coughing and wheezing. Some research even suggests that mold can contribute to the development of asthma in individuals with no prior history of the condition.

The group of pests known as “summer stingers,” which includes bees and wasps, pack a pretty nasty and painful sting. If a nest of these pests is near your home, make sure to have it removed by a professional. If your home remedy for removing the nest goes wrong, there is the potential for hundreds of stings and therefore a much stronger, possibly fatal allergic reaction as a result.

Fleas can enter your home on your dog or cat, but also on the backs of other mammal pests like rodents. They feed on warm blood, and will not discriminate between you or an animal. Flea bites can create a nasty rash and other allergy symptoms.

Bacteria And Food Contamination

Both cockroaches and rodents are known to carry E. coli and salmonella in their droppings and on their skin or hair. If either of these pests enter your kitchen and contaminate your food supply with these bacteria, it can spell nasty intestinal distress for the people in your home. If rodent droppings or cockroaches are seen in your kitchen, call a professional immediately before they contaminate your food supply.

Whether the pests in your home are insects or rodents, each carries some vicious health risks. Limit your exposure to these health risks by contacting JP Pest Services to rid your home of unwanted and dangerous pests. Request a free residential estimate today!