Pests and Its Negative Effects on Health
Common household pests including insects like house flies, fleas, roaches, and bedbugs, as well as rodents like mice and rats are vital to our ecosystem. And, while they are innocent creatures in search of food and shelter, problems arise when they make their way into our homes. Getting rid of pests can seem like an unending task and it can be tempting to just stop fighting them. But if you do so, be ready for all kinds of losses on your house and your health as well. Here are some of the dangers pests pose on our health:
They Transmit Diseases
Most of the household pests are disease carriers, either directly or indirectly, which they can spread in a variety of ways such as through bites/stings, contaminated food/water, or inhaling pathogens. For starters, they spend most of their time in contaminated areas like sewers. As they move around your house, they will contaminate surfaces and foods left uncovered with bacteria and pathogens. Some of the diseases pests have been known to spread include malaria, dengue fever, salmonella, E. coli, Hantavirus, Weil’s disease (leptospirosis), meningitis, Lyme disease, and more. These are all serious illnesses that can be fatal if left untreated.
They Cause Allergic Reactions
Pests can trigger a person’s allergic reactions in different ways. For starters, their mere presence in the house can cause health problems. Most of them leave droppings and dander, which pollute indoor air. Inhaling the aerosolized particles can trigger an immune response and related allergies. The chances of suffering from these kinds of allergic reactions will, however, depend on the quality of ventilation, how sensitive an individual is, as well as the concentration of the infestation.
That being said, people are most likely to suffer an allergic reaction if stung or bitten by a pest. Wasps, bees, and spiders are some of the insects whose bite/sting can cause allergic reactions or even anaphylactic shock in severe cases, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Venomous Bites/Stings
Allergic reactions aren’t the only negative effect of insect venom in humans. The venom can also trigger a toxic reaction. This occurs when the body reacts to the insect venom like it was poison. Insect venom can also cause serum sickness, which is when the body has an unusual reaction to a foreign substance. Symptoms are similar to those of an allergic reaction along with seizures, nausea, fever, shock, etc.
They Can Cause Physical Pain and Injury
Bites and stings are the more immediate dangers of pests. The typical reactions to an insect bite/sting include itching, minor swelling, redness, and pain. Rats are a bit larger and a bit more aggressive than most household pests, so you also have to worry about scratching and biting.
They Can Have Serious Psychological Effects
This may sound unusual but it’s true that pests can have detrimental effects on one’s mental health. For instance, following a bedbug infestation, people have been known to develop insomnia, anxiety, depression, and social isolation, just to name a few. Not only do pests cause these psychological problems, but they also push homeowners to do whatever it takes to get rid of them like throwing away or burning their belongings. The stress from discovering pest infestation, getting rid of them, and potentially needing extensive work done after the process can be mentally draining. Not to mention, those with phobias of certain pests can suffer from a form of PTSD even after such pests have been eliminated from their home.
They are a Nuisance
Pests can be a great nuisance once they invade your home. For instance, the mere sight of roaches in your kitchen could make you lose your appetite while the annoying sounds that rats, mosquitoes, and crickets produce can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep all night. We all know that continued lack of sleep can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental health.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that if you have any kinds of pests in your home, they will get on your nerves, mess up your mood, infringe on your comfort, and disrupt your sleep, among other things. All of these are bad for your overall health and well-being, which is why pest control is so important. Proper pest identification is essential for determining whether you have a pest infestation or not, and the right way to go about eliminating them. So, be sure to contact a professional pest controller as soon as you notice any pest in your home.
