At Ease Pest Control embraces its role and responsibility as protectors of the public’s health. Our services not only rid your home of pests but also play a primary role in fighting disease and maintaining your safety.

For those of us in the industry, the beneficial relationship between pest control and public health is clear as day. At Ease Pest Control sees firsthand how our services, techniques, and field of knowledge directly impact peoples’ health. Unfortunately, when most people think of pests, they typically regard them as a mere nuisance. They tend to focus on their destructive capabilities associated with financial loss or gross characteristics, rather than the potential danger they pose to our health. In-depth research conducted by the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) found that across all generations, from millennials to baby boomers, the general public doesn’t naturally affiliate pest control with public health.

Why is this a problem? Well, when people don’t fully comprehend how essential the services that Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) provide are to public health, they’re less likely to call a PMP when faced with pest problems (which should never be taken lightly). Instead, they may try to deal with the problem themselves by using ineffective home remedies or entirely ignoring the issue. An inadequate response to pests poses a risk to not only your health but to your neighbors and the general public as well. The services provided by PMPs are, indisputably essential. We’ll go over just a few of the ways that pest control significantly contributes to public health.

The CDC reports that roughly one-sixth of Americans are infected every year, with more than 125,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Pests, such as rats, cockroaches, and flies, are the primary means of dispersal, affecting individual homes as well as food manufacturers and restaurants. PMPs are crucial to maintaining safety guidelines in these facilities.

Many pests can infect humans with vector-borne diseases that can be fatal, such as Hantavirus (spread by rats and mice), Lyme disease (spread by ticks), and rabies. Many public institutions, such as hospitals and health clinics, are havens for microbial diseases and infections. You can find an exhaustive list of pests that threaten public health on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

Some pests, such as Carpenter Ants and termites, can cause structural damage, triggering homes and public buildings to become unsafe when left unchecked. The gnawing of mischievous rodents is even known to cause electrical fires.

Research has revealed that some pests, such as German Cockroaches, contribute to increases in allergies and asthma. Along with being allergenic, their feces and shed skins carry pathogens. Similarly, PMPs are vital to mosquito control, treating storm drains, wetlands, and other standing bodies of water.

While medical facilities take care of health concerns after the fact, PMPs are on the frontlines, attempting to stop diseases before they ever gain a foothold. Our battle against disease carriers protects the public, much like firefighters extinguishing fires. In other words, PMPs serve a vital role as primary disease-fighters.

With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing fears of disease to the forefront of all our minds, PMPs and their contributions to public health are more recognizable than ever. PMPs have a comprehensive understanding of products and equipment that make them uniquely qualified for sanitation applications. Decontamination is already part of the industry, and many PMPs are offering disinfection services to help businesses and medical facilities maintain the highest levels of hygiene. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has taken great strides to provide standards, guidelines, training, and additional resources for PMPs looking to take a science-based approach to understand microbes and how they can aid with current public health concerns.

Though not seen as their typical role, PMPs are educators at heart. Every time At Ease Pest Control performs a service at a residence or facility, we partake in face-to-face interactions that allow us to educate the general public about pest control. Customers commonly ask us questions or bring up concerns that we are happy to address. We seek to establish our position as a reliable source of information. We even help dispel myths and misunderstandings that incite stress or unwarranted fear.

At Ease Pest Control understands our vital role as protectors of public health. We provide the full-service package as exterminators and educators. We’ll answer all your questions and help you precisely determine what you need to keep your home safe and pest-free. Please help us keep you and the public safe by giving us a call whenever you face a potentially dangerous pest situation.