Pests are something that many homeowners dread to have roaming in and outside their homes. They can infest your home from the inside and cause all sorts of trouble, or they can be a menace anytime you step outside. They can leave behind the fecal matter, they can go through your food, and some of them like to feed off of you. The worst thing though is that pests also can pose health risks to you and your family. That is why you need to take control and manage the pests that you notice in and around your home as soon as you can.
Uncontrolled Pests Can Cause Health Risks
Seeing a single pest in your home roaming around your house may be alarming at first, but you might just brush it off and think to yourself that it is a one-time thing. That is where you would be making a big mistake. That one pest can easily reproduce and multiply in a relatively short amount of time. Once you see a group of pests, such as rodents and roaches, scurrying around your house, then you should be very concerned about your health and the health of other people in your home.
A large group of pests can leave behind droppings, saliva, and even their own bodies once they’ve passed. The things they leave behind can have negative effects on your health, especially for people who are at risk or susceptible to certain illnesses. This is potentially a troubling situation.
Pests are a health risk no matter what and you should treat them as such. The larger the number of them there are in your house, the more increased chances they have of spreading certain diseases and triggering allergies.
What Types of Health Risks?
There are many health risks associated with having pests in your home. That is why you have to take immediate action as soon as you notice them. Over time, they can grow to startling numbers and pose a serious health hazard to everyone in the house. Here are some types of health risks associated with pests.
Allergens
Some pests, such as cockroaches, can trigger allergies in people. The saliva and droppings they leave around your home can be a reason why your allergies are suddenly acting up. Another way they trigger allergies is through their decomposing bodies which contain allergen proteins. The more of these pests that you have roaming around your home, the higher the chances that they trigger allergies to anyone in the house.
People With Asthma
Certain pests such as mice and cockroaches are known to produce allergens that can affect people with asthma. People who are allergic to cockroaches are at risk of having an asthma attack. The same thing also applies to mice and rats which is why you have to manage them as soon as you can. Even if no one in the house is allergic to them, their lungs can still be damaged after prolonged exposure to those pests and what they leave behind.
West Nile Virus
A dangerous situation can occur if mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus are living close to your home. West Nile Virus, once transmitted to a person, can cause life-threatening illnesses to people who are susceptible to it. These people include children and the elderly. One of the illnesses caused by the West Nile Virus is West Nile Fever. West Nile Fever, at its most severe form, can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Mosquitos should be treated and managed as soon as possible whether or not they carry West Nile Virus.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a blood infection that is commonly known as “rat fever.” The reason it has this nickname is because rats are a common transmission source of this infection. Rats aren’t the only source though as other rodents can spread it as well. The way it can spread to humans is through contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin. Rodents can transmit leptospirosis through urinating in water or soil. Take caution when treating rodents in your home as any place they have urinated can potentially contain the bacteria of leptospirosis.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is another health risk presented by pests. Once again, rodents are a primary transmitter of this virus. Hantavirus can be transmitted to people who come into contact with rodent urine, saliva, or feces. Hantavirus can be deadly depending on the strain that is transmitted, so it is best to seek pest treatment as soon as you can.
There are many health risks presented to people just by the number of pests in your home. That is why you have to prevent and control pests as soon as you notice a potential infestation developing. Proper pest management and control can potentially save the lives of people who are susceptible to deadly diseases and who are allergic to pests.
Prevent and Control Pests Immediately
It is important that you take proper action immediately to prevent and control pests. The longer you put the pest treatment off, the higher the chances of them causing problems to your health. If you ignore the pest problem, they can take that extra time to multiply and grow in your home. Just like any problem, it is always best to get rid of it from the start of its development rather than once it is out of control.
Here at Meers Pest Solutions, we work hard to tackle any pest problem you may have. If you need help tackling a pest problem in your home, then contact us here!
