Pests Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

Imagine that pests have infested your home. What are some of the first things you picture? Perhaps a dirty attic, full of nesting material collected by rodents, or rotting walls damaged by a colony of termites. With these mental images come feelings of annoyance, dirtiness, and disgust. Although these are undoubtedly some of the most prominent impacts pests can have on homeowners' lives, they represent only a fraction of an infestations' potential effects.

Aside from constant aggravation, pests can inflict severe harm on the health and wellbeing of your family after they've forced their way into your home. Rodents are a primary example of this, as they are known carriers of the following diseases:

• Hantavirus: Transmitted by rats' and mice's bodily fluids and waste, this viral disease can be fatal to humans. Disease particles can become airborne, exposing you to infection without warning. This disease affects the respiratory system, so victims often suffer from shortness of breath and coughing fits as their condition worsens.

• Rat-bite Fever: (RBF, also known as "Haverhill Fever"): If you are unfortunate enough to make physical contact with one of these rodents, you risk exposure to this bacterial disease. You'll also need to keep a close eye on your pantry and the fridge since the bacteria can be transferred through the consumption of contaminated drinks and food. Infections can be fatal, though death occurs more frequently in the disease form known as "streptobacillary RBF."

• Additional diseases that rodents are known to transmit to humans include the plague, salmonella, and numerous tick- and flea-borne illnesses. Speaking of ticks, these insects are also listed as a pest of "significant public health importance," according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although they are incapable of flying or jumping like many other bugs, ticks are incredibly resourceful in transportation. They can easily infest your home by hitching a ride on you, your pets, or your belongings.

If a tick bites you, you can be at risk of contracting the following illnesses:

• Lyme Disease: This illness is now the most widespread vector-borne disease in the nation. Upon infection, you may experience symptoms similar to that characteristic of the flu. Joint and muscle pain are most common amongst affected people as well.



• Tularemia: The risk of contracting tularemia rises significantly when ticks are introduced to your home through rodent infestations. It can be incredibly debilitating, potentially causing skin and mouth ulcers, eye inflammation, tonsillitis, and respiratory complications. Though it can be successfully treated with antibiotics, it can be fatal.

As mentioned earlier, ticks must rely on other organisms to make their way into your house. However, other insects are far more independent. For example, among the list of pest health threats is also the mosquito, a bug recognized worldwide for its ability to spread deadly diseases such as malaria, Dengue, and Yellow Fever, and the Zika virus. With the recent invasion of species such as the Asian Tiger Mosquito and the Yellow Fever Mosquito, homeowners must remain vigilant. The best defense mechanisms against these insects include strong repellants, screened windows and doors, and integrated pest management (IPM) executed by a professional pest control agency like At East Pest Solutions.

One additional bug that can wreak havoc in your home and health is the cockroach. People seem to underestimate the impacts that cockroaches can have on their lives, often reducing them to little more than an irritation to be exterminated. However – as much as you might not want to think about it – these insects feed on human waste. This means that they can spread severe illnesses as they travel between homes, including typhoid, cholera, and lesser-known poliomyelitis (a disease that targets the central nervous system, potentially causing paralysis). With this in mind, it's crucial to take cockroach infestations seriously and get professional help as soon as possible.

There is much more at stake during a pest infestation than a temporary inconvenience. When pests such as rodents, ticks, mosquitoes, and cockroaches enter your home, they bring serious health risks along with them, putting your family's wellbeing on the line. Fortunately, the experts at At Ease Pest Solutions are available to assist you in removing these threats from your life while restoring your peace of mind.

We offer the highest quality one-time and year-round services for homeowners in the Charlotte area, applicable to both the interior and exterior of your home. Our technicians implement IPM approaches, in addition to preventative programs, to ensure your home stays pest-free for long after the initial treatment. To rid your home of dangerous pests and defend your health, contact us today.