The Health Danger of Pests in Your Home

The Health Danger of Pests in Your Home

Bugs of any kind in your home are an annoyance that can leave your home feeling uncomfortable and dirty, and dealing with them is no walk in the park either. If you’re someone who feels this way about insects, you’re not too far off from the truth; the presence of bugs in your home can pose numerous health danger risks to you, your family, and your pets. 

Pest control is a necessity, especially if you’ve run into a severe infestation. Whether you need further convincing to have a pest problem dealt with or you want to know what to look out for, continue reading, where we’ll discuss just a few health hazards that various pests can pose.

Asthma and Respiration

One of the least threatening of the health issues on our list for today, but if you’re already an asthma sufferer, you’ll know that that’s not a good thing. 

The infestations of insects and rodents are a major health hazard for allergy and asthma sufferers in addition to being just plain nasty. In particular, roach droppings and carcasses release a protein that has been proven to cause allergic reactions in individuals susceptible to it, which can lead to a severe, life-threatening asthma attack. 

In addition, while you may not be concerned because no one in your family suffers from any respiratory issues currently, long-term exposure to roaches and their droppings can harm your lungs. As the infestation grows larger and sticks around, the chances of being subject to harm also increase exponentially. 

West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes are notorious for their capability to spread disease; one of which includes the West Nile Virus, a very serious health issue that has become more prevalent as the years have gone by. Do not take the presence of mosquitoes lightly, because this disease causes serious, life-threatening symptoms in as many as every 1 in 150 people affected.

Though 1 in 5 people develop feverish illness when infected, even when you completely recover, the fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or even months. That 1 in 150 person we were talking about that has a severe case can develop symptoms that affect the nervous system like meningitis or encephalitis, in addition to tremors, muscle weakness, stupor, vision loss, paralysis, and even coma. What’s worse is that a severe case of West Nile can affect anyone, not just children or the elderly.

Eliminate leaks and standing water in your yard and around your home, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. However, if you have a water source nearby with poor flow, you may need professional help to get rid of them for good.

Leptospirosis and Hantavirus

Spread through the droppings and urine of infected rodents, Hantavirus can lead to respiratory issues and hemorrhagic fever, while Leptospirosis can result in liver failure and brain swelling. Both of these serious diseases can easily result in death. 

Make sure that rodents have no access to your home, and if you do notice rodents or signs of them, call an exterminator immediately, as these animals reproduce rapidly and infestations can quickly get out of hand.

Control of Health Danger Issues

The best way to prevent you and your family from contracting any of these awful illnesses is to take care of an infestation of any kind of pest as soon as you possibly can. Don’t wait, even if you aren’t sure you have an infestation to begin with. If there are any signs of any form of infestation, it’s better to have a professional check things out and give you the all-clear. 

Regularly schedule professional checks by pest control if you’re concerned about the area, and ask about recommended methods for prevention so you can rest easy at night.