In your home, there are a lot of things to get caught up with and sometimes, pests can’t be seen as a priority, not until there’s anything bad that they’ve caused. That bad thing can mostly be a trip to the hospital due to a bite, an allergic reaction, or worse, a disease. Most times, kids are the vulnerable targets of pests as children can be the most explorative yet sensitive at their age. Kids can be easily contracted with some kind of health hazard caused by pests. We may be writing this guide for parents – moms and dads who are concerned about their children’s safety whenever they’re playing in the yard and some parts of the house where there can be any threat of an unseen pest. However, this guide can definitely be for everyone who wants to be on top of keeping pests away.
There are lots of ways to prevent pest at your property. Some can be just be done with some easy fix, but in some cases, problems can recur. There might be a problem that needs to be inspected by a professional pest control service who knows to identify the problem on the grass roots level, and come up with a solution that is sustainable.
Get ready and learn about the most common health hazards caused by the pests you can most likely see on your property on a daily basis. This might shock you, but at the end of this guide, you might consider assessing your property to eliminate the pests that keep showing up no matter the fix you’re trying to come up with.
The Importance of Keeping Pests Away
No one wants a pest. Some may seem harmless, but most can cause serious problems. Before we break down the most common pests and their health hazards, let’s first learn why keeping pests away from any of your property is essential.
Health Risks
Pests carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. For example, mosquitoes can transmit diseases like malaria and dengue fever, while rodents can spread bacteria and viruses. This guide will show you more examples of pests and the diseases they carry.
Damage to Property
Pests such as termites, rodents, and certain insects can cause significant damage to property. Termites can weaken the structure of buildings, rodents can chew through wiring and insulation, and insects like carpet beetles can damage fabrics and upholstery. Learn how to prevent this by calling a pest control professional to solve your issue.
Food Safety
Food contamination can be caused by pests, leading to foodborne illnesses. This is a particular concern in restaurants, food processing facilities, and homes where food safety is paramount.
Financial Impact
Dealing with pest infestations can be costly, both in terms of repairing damage and implementing pest control measures. Businesses may also suffer from lost revenue or damage to their reputation if pests are found on their premises.
Comfort and Well-being
Pests can be a nuisance, causing stress and discomfort to occupants of homes and workplaces. This can affect productivity and quality of life.
Common home pests and their health hazards
Now, we’re up for the most critical part of this guide. By the end, you’ll be familiar with the health hazards caused by the most common pests that can potentially reside on your property. We’ve divided this guide according to types of pests.
Rodents
Mice Health Hazards
According to WebMD, Mice are small rodents that are part of the mammal family Muridae. Most likely, you’ve spotted one before in your home. You’ll recognize their pointy ears, small eyes, whiskers, and long tails. However, many types of mice live all around the world. Their looks, behaviors, and habits may vary.
In most cases, Mice can’t be a serious threat, but they can damage appliances and furniture. They can cause electrical fires when they chew on wires. The real danger that Mice can cause is diseases.
- Biting
- Bringing ticks, fleas, and mites
- Contaminating your food and water with their droppings, saliva, and pee
- Contaminating the dust you breathe in
Here are the diseases that may be spread by Mice:
- Hantavirus
- Leptospirosis (bacterial infection)
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (viral infection)
- Plague (bacterial infection)
- Typhus (bacterial infection)
Can Mice bite you?
Mice can bite you to defend themselves. But a mouse won’t usually bite you unless you try to catch it. They’re usually shy and will choose to stay hidden, and they are only coming out when they think you’re not around.
Rats Health Hazards
There are ways that Rats can cause diseases. One of the most historically dangerous rat-borne diseases is the bubonic plague, also called the “Black Plague” and its variants (Orkin, 2023). Here are the types of diseases that Rats may directly and indirectly carry:
Direct Diseases Brought by Rats
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Leptospirosis
- Rat-bite fever
- Salmonellosis
Indirect Diseases Brought by Rats
- Plague
- Colorado Tick Fever
- Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Insects
Cockroaches
Historically, Cockroaches have been considered dangerous as an allergen source and can trigger asthma. They may also carry bacteria that can cause illnesses if left on food.
Do cockroaches bite?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cockroaches do not bite. They can, however, scratch you with their heavy leg spines. And because they carry bacteria, a cockroach scratch could potentially become infected. Based on studies, there is little evidence linking cockroaches and specific disease outbreaks, but they can still carry bacteria. Here are the diseases that cockroaches may carry:
- Salmonella, when deposited on food
- Staphylococcus, when deposited on food
- Streptococcus, when deposited on food
In a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), cockroaches are known to play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases such as:
- Dysentery
- Diarrhea
- Cholera
- Typhoid Fever
According to a 2012 article published in the journal Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, cockroaches are one of the most common sources of indoor allergens. Their enzymes, found in their excrement, shedding body parts, eggs, and saliva, can cause allergic reactions in many people. EPA said that children are more likely to get allergies from cockroaches than adults.
63 percent of homes in the United States contain cockroach allergens. That number rises to between 78 and 98 percent in urban area homes (Source: National Pest Management Association)
Ants Health Hazards
Ants may be small and are not directly harmful to humans, but their presence can still impact your health. Here are some health risks associated with ants in your home:
- Bite and Stings: some ant species, such as fire ants, can bite or sting humans, which may cause pain, itching, and allergic reactions.
- Contamination of Food: Ants can contaminate food and preparation areas, leading to potential foodborne illnesses
- Structural Damage: Carpenter ants can damage wooded structures and may compromise the internal structure of your home.
- Allergies: Ant bites or stings can cause localized allergic reactions, ranging from mild itching to severe allergic reactions, which may require medical attention.
- Asthma Triggers: Ants release airborne particles that act as asthma triggers, potentially triggering respiratory symptoms in people with asthma.
- Pathogens: Ants may potentially spread pathogens, such as bacteria and parasites, which lead to diseases.
Bed Bugs Health Hazards
Bed bugs are identified as small, parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They might not be known to transmit diseases, but their presence can lead to some health issues.
- Bite Reactions: Bed bug bites cause itchy welts and rashes. Some people may experience more severe allergic reactions, such as intense itching, blisters, or hives.
- Infections: Scratching bed bug bites can break the skin, increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infections like impetigo, cellulitis, or lymphangitis.
- Sleep Deprivation: The discomfort and anxiety caused by bed bug infestations can lead to sleep disturbances, insomnia, and related issues such as fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
- Mental Health Issues: Living with a bed bug infestation can cause significant psychological distress. Anxiety, stress, and even depression can result from the persistent presence of bed bugs and the difficulty of eradicating them.
- Asthma and Allergies: In rare cases, people with pre-existing respiratory conditions or severe allergies may experience exacerbated symptoms due to the presence of bed bug shed skins, feces, or other allergens.
- Anemia: Although sporadic, chronic bed bug infestations and numerous bites over time could potentially lead to anemia due to blood loss, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children or the elderly.
Fleas Health Hazards
There are many ways fleas can affect our health. Here are some of the main risks associated with flea infestations:
- Flea Bites: Can cause itching, redness, and swelling at the bite site.
- Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Some individuals may be allergic to flea saliva, leading to intense itching and rash.
- Murine Typhus: Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and muscle pain.
- Plague: Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, and chills.
- Tapeworms: Humans, especially children, can become infected by accidentally ingesting fleas carrying tapeworm larvae.
- Scratching: This can lead to open sores and bacterial infections at the bite sites.
- Discomfort: Persistent flea bites can cause significant pain and anxiety.
Mosquitoes Health Hazards
In our past blog, we’ve discussed how to prevent Mosquitoes at home. Here are the health hazards brought by Mosquitoes:
- Malaria: This is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It causes fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
- Dengue Fever: The most common, especially in Asian countries, known as the dengue virus, spread by Aedes mosquitoes. It results in high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and a characteristic skin rash.
- Zika Virus: Disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It typically causes mild symptoms like fever, rash, and joint pain but can cause severe birth defects like microcephaly when contracted by pregnant women.
- Chikungunya: This disease is spread by Aedes mosquitoes and is characterized by a sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain, often accompanied by muscle pain, headache, and rash.
- West Nile Virus: Known as a viral infection transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Most people have no symptoms, but some may develop fever, headaches, body aches, and in severe cases, neurological complications like encephalitis or meningitis.
Arachnids
Spider Health Hazards
They may crawl around your house freely, but some of them can be harmful. As a property owner, it is important to know how to detect and eliminate them. Here are some health hazards caused by Spiders:
- Venomous Bites | Neurotoxic Venom: This venom affects the nervous system, causing symptoms like muscle pain, spasms, and, in severe cases, paralysis. An example is black Widow spiders.
- Venomous Bites | Cytotoxic Venom: Causes local tissue damage, leading to necrosis and ulcers. Example: Brown Recluse spiders.
- Allergic Reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions to spider bites, ranging from mild irritation to severe anaphylaxis.
- Secondary Infections: Bites can sometimes lead to secondary bacterial infections if the wound is not treated correctly.
- Psychological Effects: Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) can cause significant stress and anxiety in some individuals.
Ticks Health Hazards
Any external factor does not cause ticks; rather, they are a type of arachnid related to spiders and mites that naturally occur in various environments. Here are the health hazards that can be brought by ticks:
- Lyme Disease: Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If untreated, it can affect joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Symptoms include fever, rash, headache, and muscle pain. It can be severe or fatal if not treated early.
- Anaplasmosis: Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.
- Ehrlichiosis: Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes a rash.
- Babesiosis: Symptoms include fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, nausea, and fatigue.
Other Pests
Wasps and Bees
Wasps and Bees are always present, especially in your home’s yard. They may have colonies where they reside, so it’s always important to know how to identify them and eliminate them whenever they disrupt any part of your home. These kinds of insects are dangerous especially to children, who are fond of playing in your home’s yard. Here are the health hazards that may be caused by Wasps and Bees:
- Stings: Both wasps and bees can sting humans, injecting venom that can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in some people.
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions to bee or wasp stings, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.
- Secondary Infections: Stings can sometimes lead to secondary infections if the skin is broken or the sting site becomes infected.
- Fear and Anxiety: For those with a phobia of stinging insects, encountering bees or wasps can cause significant worry and anxiety, impacting their daily lives.
Wrapping It Up
Pests can cause several problems to you. It’s always important to learn how to solve it first before it gets worse. They can multiply in a nick of time without your knowledge. If you are dealing with pest issues at your property, learn how we can help you eliminate it and keep it from returning in the future. View our pest library to learn how we can solve your specific pest issue.
Trusted Residential and Commercial Pest Control
Based in the Minneapolis metro, Abra Kadabra Environmental Services is a family-owned pest removal company that cares about your safety, health, and well-being. We want you to sleep peacefully at night without worrying about pests that can cause damage or unhealthy living conditions. We also want to treat our environment respectfully. Unlike some methods, our Integrated Pest Management approach to pest control and green application options minimize harmful pesticide applications for you, your children, pets, and plants.
You’ll feel confident when you talk with our courteous Master Certified Technicians trained to understand local pest problems and how to implement the best solution. From carpenter ants to mice, bed bugs to ticks, mosquitoes to boxelder bugs, we keep families, homes, yards, and businesses free from those pesky invaders.
