People are worried when they see pests dwelling around their environment. There’s too much to think about: the damages, the illnesses, the disturbance, you name it—pests are full of nuisances. If you don’t believe me, let’s tackle this one by one, starting with the damages these pesky creatures bring.
Damages Caused By Pests
Crop Damage
This is the greatest problem of farmers and garden enthusiasts. Pests such as crop weevils, Japanese beetles, grubs, whiteflies, and aphids can damage several types of flowering plants, grasses, and crops. Not only does this affect their revenue but also the supply in society. This is the reason why North Carolina farmers and gardeners seek help from expert bug exterminators in Greensboro, to achieve a maximum protection for their crops to generate more produce and income.
Damage To Accessories & Garments
Homeowners experience all kinds of property damage because of pests. Cockroaches and moths among many others target clothing, blankets, and carpets. Cockroaches are attracted to sweat stains and food stains on these garments. Once they detect it, they sip the stains and cause tears on the fabric.
If infestations arise and you do not intend to apply pest control methods, good luck getting through winter without a blanket or a sweater to keep you warm.
Structural Damage
This is, by far, the worst type of damage people experience because of pests. The most notorious insects that target your house structure include mice, termites, and carpenter bees.
Mice are one of the most athletic pests you’ll encounter. They can squeeze themselves into narrow openings to get in between your walls and under your floorboards. If not, they can create their own holes to have somewhere to hide.
Mice can reach your attic and basement without hassle. If this happens, they can access electrical wirings and gnaw on its insulators. Statistics have proven there’s a high possibility of house fires on mouse-infested establishments. If I were you, I’d be alarmed if I see one.
I know most of us have watched Tom and Jerry a million times. Here’s a newsflash for you. Jerry in real life is not as intelligent, sanitary, and helpful. In fact, Jerry and his kin are one of the most damaging creatures on the planet. If you’re planning to keep them because of their cuteness, think again. They can ruin your home instantly.
Termites, on the other hand, are known as the silent destroyers. Once they spot a potential nest, they don’t hesitate to infest. By any chance they reach the structures of your home, it takes a short period before they cause extensive and irretrievable damage. This is no surprise since one colony consists of millions of termites who never stop chewing.
By the time you observe signs of termite infestation, the damage will have become irretrievable. Some people are forced out of their homes because their foundations are already unreliable for protection against storms, earthquakes, and other calamities. Shocking, isn’t it?
The carpenter bee is another insect that can cause structural damage. If you see holes in wooden furniture and fixtures, including wooden foundations, it’s an indication of a carpenter bee infestation. Don’t approach the situation on your own. While bees are not as aggressive as wasps, they retaliate when they feel threatened. Call a professional to take care of this problem before it gets worse.
Pests cause peril to our homes and crops. Seeing how extensive this gets, North Carolina residents know better than let these creatures dwell around them. This is why they call Greensboro exterminators to administer effective pest control measures. This way, you no longer have to worry about any damage and nuisance from these insects.
Pests Cause Illnesses
But this is not the only nuisance pests bring to humans. These pesky creatures also cause a variety of illnesses. Here are a few:
Diseases From Mosquitoes
The World Health Organization reports mosquitoes as the deadliest vectors on the planet. They transmit the most lethal illnesses like dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, Zika virus, and many more.
The most common illness transmitted by mosquitoes is the dengue virus. This is transmitted to human beings through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. According to statistics, this virus is common to more than 100 countries worldwide. About forty percent of the total population of the planet lives in areas with a high risk of contracting the disease. Experts have recorded that 400 million people get infected by the disease yearly and more than 22,000 die because of the complications it causes.
To detect dengue, the milder symptoms include but are not limited to the following: headache, rashes, joint pain, eye pain, muscle pain, and nausea.
Medical professionals note that most patients recover within 2 to 7 days. However, you will need the assistance of a medical expert to help you alleviate the symptoms faster. Without their guidance, the symptoms could get worse and lead to complications.
Diseases From Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the dirtiest pests you encounter at home. They crawl through the nastiest places on the planet such as sewer lines and canals. Try turning on your kitchen lights in the middle of the night. If you see cockroaches crawling all over your sink and walls, call a professional like Go-Forth Home Services. If you don’t take action, these creatures will put you and your family’s lives in danger.
Salmonellosis is one of the common illnesses brought by cockroaches. The bacteria can spread through their saliva, shedding, and feces. A human being usually contracts the disease through accidental ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. Mild symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and stomach pains. These signs may arise between 12 to 36 hours after the person is exposed.
Experts note that most patients recover within seven days. But if symptoms persist, it’s best to consult a professional, especially if the patient is a child or an elder. People in these ages have weaker immune systems and are prone to complications. To alleviate the symptoms effectively, consult your medical health provider to prescribe over-the-counter medications.
This is not the only illness that cockroaches bring to human beings. They also cause E. coli infections, Amoebiasis, dysentery, and leprosy. If this does not alarm you, I don’t know what will.
Diseases From Rodents
Most of us might have experienced rodent infestations. Admit it or not, we neglect to see the dangers they bring to our family. Apart from the fact that they cause structural damage, these pesky creatures also cause diseases. One of which is Hantavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that uses rodents as the number one mode of transmission. It is contracted by human beings through the accidental ingestion of rodent-contaminated food and beverages. The virus can also be acquired through contact with their shedding.
The most common form of the illness is the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome which is a severe and fatal disease. The early symptoms include but are not limited to fatigue, fever, and muscle pain. It can also be accompanied by headaches, fever, dizziness, and abdominal problems. Statistics have proven that more than 50% of Hantavirus patients experience these symptoms.
If you think you have Hantavirus, consult a professional to help you alleviate the symptoms and eliminate the pathogen from your body as soon as possible. Without medical intervention, people could experience complications such as shortness of breath and coughing. Survivors describe this phenomenon as having a tight band around your chest and a pillow on their faces. This is because Hantavirus allows fluid to fill the lungs.
China recently reported a Hantavirus death. This sparked a nationwide fear thinking that it could lead to another pandemic aside from the COVID-19 breakout. Experts have clarified that Hantavirus cannot be transmitted through person-to-person contact. It can only be contracted through the ingestion of contaminated food and beverages.
Diseases To Animals
Not only do pests transmit diseases to human beings but also to our pets. As animal lovers and pet owners, the two most notorious enemies we face are ticks and fleas. These are bloodsuckers that dwell on the fur of cats, dogs, chicken, birds, and many more.
Many people believe that the infestation of ticks and fleas is normal. Little do they know the harmful effects they bring to our fur babies.
For example, infestations can cause anemia, especially to smaller breeds. If the amount of blood consumed by these pests is greater than the amount produced by animals, anemia is nor impossible. When this happens, it causes lethargy, insomnia, and loss of appetite, leaving our pets unhealthy and inactive.
Your pets can also acquire tapeworms because of flea infestations. These pesky creatures are one of the number one hosts of these worms. By any chance animals ingest a contaminated flea, these will start to grow inside their intestinal tracts. This affects their digestion, absorption of nutrients, and appetite.
There you have it. These are only a few of the many nuances that pests bring to humans and animals. Don’t let their population grow for it can severely affect your life. If DIY methods don’t work to eliminate these completely, contact a professional so they can apply pest control methods holistically and effectively. Be a responsible home-owner, farmer, and pet owner and give your social and loved ones the care they deserve.