Having a pest infestation in your home is not only upsetting, but it can also pose a serious risk to the health of you, your family, and your pets. This is why it is so important that, as soon as you suspect a pest problem in your Arizona home or business, you call in the professionals to take care of those pests so you can relax at home. Here are 3 health threats you need to be aware of:
1. Stings and Bites
Pests such as ants, bed bugs, spiders, bees, wasps, and hornets can sting or bite. The effects of these bites and stings can range from just a red rash and itchiness to far more serious problems and even life-threatening allergic reactions.
Stinging pests tend to be aggressive when disturbed, as they try to protect their colony from danger. Attempting to get rid of these pests alone, or disturbing their nest in another way, can lead to multiple stings. At the very least, this will cause a painful, burning sensation, and at the worst, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
It is especially important to have pests eradicated from your backyard or home if you have children or pets, as they may accidentally aggravate the nest.
Rodents, such as mice and rats, can also bite if they feel threatened, including your pets. This rodent bite can pass on disease to both humans and pets, leading to serious illnesses, discussed below.
Spiders can often be left well alone if you find the odd one in your home, as they don’t often bite. However, you need to call pest control experts for advice and help if you have an infestation or if you see a dangerous spider.
2. Allergic Reactions
It’s not just bites and stings. Many pests carry allergens within their feces, and when they shed their skin the air within your home can become polluted, exacerbating asthma and other respiratory issues.
Cockroaches are a little-known common allergen, especially in those who are already sensitive to shellfish. Cockroach allergens are found on their bodies, in their feces, and in their saliva. In fact, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), around one in five children has a severe reaction to cockroaches, leading to more severe asthma symptoms.
3. Disease
Another serious health threat posed by pests is the spread of disease. Both insects and rodents carry disease, including cockroaches, mosquitos, and rats, which can be transferred to humans and pets.
As well as allergens, cockroaches also carry bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli, which contaminates everything that the cockroaches come into contact with. When this bacteria is ingested, it can cause unpleasant illnesses such as food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea.
Rodents can also spread disease from their droppings, saliva, and hair, including a disease known as Hantavirus, which is potentially deadly, as well as salmonella.
Seeing a single pest may not seem like a big deal, but when your child starts having difficulty breathing at home, or if you get a serious bite or sting, that one pest can become a big problem. If you have a pest problem or are worried about one you’ve seen, it’s best to call in the experts for an assessment.
With AZEX Pest Solutions, you can be sure that your Arizona home or business will soon be pest-free, using environmentally responsible solutions. Click here to contact us for help today.
