Photo by Marlen Damm on Unsplash
No matter how often you clean, the simple fact is pests are always going to find a way into your home. Rodents and other pests want to enter your house because it’s warm and they know they will find food inside. Your four walls are like a one-stop grocery store for common pests.
If you don’t find a way to keep them out, they could cause diseases and unnecessary damage. In today’s article, we are going to look at why pest control is so important, and how you can help try to prevent them from entering your home.
They Spread Diseases
Pests are well known for carrying diseases that can be harmful to you and your family. Some pests can bite you, while others may sting or attack you if provoked. They contaminate surfaces with their body parts, excrement, and hairs.
Let’s look at some common pests and particular ways they pose health concerns:
- Flies: A common housefly can cause dysentery, typhoid fever, salmonella, and food poisoning.
- Mosquitos: They spread diseases such as malaria. This is a potentially life-threatening illness. Bites can be very itchy and red. Allergic reaction symptoms include headaches, fever, skin rashes, and joint pain.
- Rats and other rodents: These carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, including salmonella, leptospirosis and Weil’s disease.
- Birds: Their droppings can carry numerous nasty diseases. This includes respiratory diseases such as histoplasmosis, and salmonella.
Pests Damage Your Belongings
How can a tiny creature cause huge damage?
- Small pests such as silverfish eat organic fibres, which means that your books, wallpaper, insulation, and photo albums are all on the menu.
- Termites are notorious for eating anything made of wood, including the foundation of your home.
- Ants, carpenter beetles are also a huge problem.
- Rats and mice may chew on wires or get into boxes of food stored in the pantry.
Better to prevent this with effective pest control and maintenance.
They Contaminate Your Food
As pests forage and feast on your food, they leave behind bacteria and excrement. If you eat foods such as cereals, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit, you may not even realise that it’s been contaminated until it’s too late. Foods that have been contaminated by pests aren’t fit for human consumption, so your pantry needs proper protection against critters.
The Cause of Dangerous Situations
Pests such as rats can be very dangerous. They love to nibble on electrical cables, and this can cause fires. They are also known to damage and puncture water pipes. Let’s look at some other common pests and how they can damage your property.
- Birds: Not only are bird droppings extremely unsightly but they also cause millions of dollars of damage to buildings each year. The acid in the droppings is so strong that it can eat away at materials such as wood, stone, iron, and steel. Droppings left undisturbed can clog gutters and damage the roof.
- Termites: They’re considered one of the most difficult and costliest pests to get rid of. Termites eat anything that is made from wood and can cause serious property damage. Once they have burrowed into the wood, they can stay hidden for years before they are detected. By the time you notice, it will be too late because the damage will be done, which is why you need an expert eye to assist in pest control.
Increasing Your Stress Levels
No one wants pests in their home. Getting rid of them can be very expensive and cause a lot of stress. The thought of them eating your food or living in the walls is enough to make your skin crawl. Hiring a professional to get rid of them can be costly, which can lead to even more stress. Once again, you see the value of pest control maintenance which prevents big pest disasters.
Possible Physical Pain
Wasps are incredibly dangerous and known for their aggression. A single sting can be deadly especially to babies or if the person that they stung is allergic. Their stings are very painful and take a long time to heal. A wasp will very seldom only sting you once and multiple stings mean more pain!
Attacking You in Your Sleep
Bed bugs are small but actually one of the most dreaded pests of all. These tiny bloodsuckers breed and feed off the blood and skin of their human hosts. They are almost impossible to see and incredibly difficult to get rid of. Lucky for us, they aren’t venomous, but they do cause you to itch.
Bed bugs will feed on any skin that is exposed. You may not even notice the bites at first but over time you could develop an allergic reaction to them.
Not only do they hide in your mattress and pillows, but they can also be found in curtains, carpets and clothing. As social creatures, they tend to live in groups and hide in crevices or other protected locations. You can use home remedies or professional assistance to manage their numbers in your home.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with pests isn’t fun, but unfortunately, it’s part of life. They can contaminate food, spread diseases, and be a general nuisance. Keeping your home and property clean will only help to a certain extent. If you notice a pest problem, contact an exterminator immediately.
Now that you know the extent of the potential problem, you’ll understand the importance of taking swift action!
