5 Ways Your Health Can Be Impacted By Pests
While some pests may appear cute and cuddly, many of them can be harmful to our health. As there are several critters to be worried about, a few of the biggest culprits include cockroaches, mice, and ants. Chances are, you’ve probably seen some of these pests crawling around your home. While a few of them here and there usually isn’t a problem, frequent visits from these pests can be an issue—and even life-threatening.
In this post, we’ll discuss 5 ways pests can impact your health.
Asthma
If you have asthma, you probably notice pests more than the average person. Critters like cockroaches are known to trigger asthma symptoms, which can be a serious concern. You may have an allergy flare-up and have no idea why. The best course of action is to get rid of the cockroaches immediately.
The main reason cockroaches trigger asthma symptoms is that they carry around a protein called tropomyosin. This is known as a key trigger for allergies and asthma. Additionally, it’s important to note that any part of a cockroach can contain this protein, including saliva and waste.
Mosquito Viruses
A deadly virus from a mosquito is another serious health problem to consider. If you’ve ever been camping, on a lake trip, or near a pond, then you know a thing or two about mosquitoes. While you essentially don’t feel anything when they bite, you may feel the need to itch very soon. However, while the bites can be itchy and uncomfortable, they’re far better than the alternative.
Unfortunately, mosquitoes can carry and transmit a number of diseases. This includes West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika Virus. These viruses can cause various symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, skin rashes, and aching.
Vector-Borne Diseases
Mosquitos aren’t the only ones who carry dangerous, and sometimes deadly, diseases. In fact, there are several vector-borne diseases to consider, which are diseases that are carried and spread by different vectors. Ticks, rodents, and other animals are a few examples.
If you notice any of these critters flying or crawling around your home or business, you’ll want to do your best to eliminate them. EPA-registered pesticides and repellents may help.
Anaphylactic Shock
Have you ever been stung by a bee or another insect? If so, it probably wasn’t a very fun experience. While these strings usually do no serious harm, that isn’t the case for everyone. If you’re allergic to a pest’s venom, you could go into anaphylactic shock, which poses a life-threatening situation. If you or someone you know experiences this, call 911 immediately and use an epinephrine injector if prescribed.
Microbial Diseases and Infections
Did you know microorganisms can be pests, too? That’s right! Several different microorganisms and acellular particles are considered pests, including bacteria, viruses, prions, and protozoans. Unfortunately, these can cause serious infections and diseases. Given the seriousness of these microorganisms and acellular particles, households and businesses worldwide use EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticides for controlling these pests.
Pests can be annoying, destructive, and harmful to our health. To keep these pests at bay, make sure to clean your property frequently and use eco-friendly pesticides and repellents.