Not only are pests a major nuisance and cause of unnecessary stress and anxiety, some pests can negatively affect your health. Certain pests are known to transmit diseases or spread bacteria which may leave you, your family, and even your pets feeling ill. The good news is there are many ways to prevent pest infestations and thus any health problems this year. Having a routine pest control service along with taking some preventative measures will keep you and your family away from any pests with health risks. Let’s take a look at some of the most common pests found in homes that are known to raise health concerns.
Cockroaches
The American cockroach and German cockroach are most likely to be the species of cockroaches in your kitchen or bathroom seeking food and water supply. Cockroaches are known to carry 33 different kinds of bacteria on the spine of their legs as well as many other germs and pathogens. If they leave these germs and bacteria around your food or on your food surfaces, they can cause illness. Cockroaches are also known to cause Termite Control Near Me allergies and asthma especially in children. These allergens are transmitted through cockroaches’ droppings, skin casing and dead cockroach bodies. In order to prevent cockroaches from entering your home, be sure to keep your kitchen surfaces as well as other hidden areas sanitized and clean of any food debris or spills. Also, take your trash out regularly as this is another great food source for cockroaches to infest.
Mice
The house mouse and deer mouse both pose potentially serious health risks to homeowners and their families. Mice are a known transmitter of a potentially fatal respiratory disease known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. This disease can be contracted through contact with a dead mouse body or the urine droplets of an infected mouse. Not all mice are carriers of the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome however, they do still spread bacteria and contaminate their surroundings. Mice can leave bacteria through contact with surfaces and also through their droppings and How Do You Clean Your House urine. To prevent mice from contaminating your home and spreading germs, it is a good idea to make sure your home is properly sealed off from the outside so check for any small holes and opening in your siding, basement, and even roof. Also, keeping a clean kitchen free of any food sources will help to keep these rodents away. If you want to protect your food from being contaminated, a good idea is to keep any shelf food stored in a container with a tight fitting lid. This will prevent any pests from being able to sneak in and leave your food contaminated.
Rats
Rats are generally a bit larger than mice but just like mice they may be found scurrying around through homes causing potential health concerns and destruction. Rats, like mice carry bacteria and spread it through contact and through their droppings and urine. Another risk of rats that may not affect your health but the health of your home, is the destruction caused by their chewing. Rats can chew through wood and destroy furniture or other structures in your home as well as chewing electrical wires which poses the risk of an electrical fire. In order to keep rats from breaking and entering this year, you will want to take the same preventative measures as with the other pests. A clean home, no exposed areas to the outside, and tightly sealed food containers.
This year does not have to bring the headache and possibly worse health conditions from an infestation of pests. By following the preventative methods noted above and maintaining a routine pest control service, you will be on your way to a healthy new year for you and your entire family.