When you have pests in your home, it sometimes seems like keeping their numbers under control is an unending battle. It's tempting to wonder what would happen if you just stopped fighting them. However, if you let pests run rampant in your home, you're setting yourself up for any number of losses— from your health to your home.
Here are some of the damaging effects of pests.
Disease
Fleas, cockroaches, mosquitos and rats are all common carriers for disease, as are many other insects and rodents. Insects can be vectors for Lyme disease, strep, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, salmonella, malaria, dengue fever and more. Mosquitoes, in particular, can carry diseases such as the West Nile virus or the Zika virus. Rodents, including bats, can carry the plague, hantavirus and several other extremely serious diseases. Rats and larger mammals can carry rabies. Not only can these pests carry maladies, they can also transfer them to your beloved animal companions both inside and outside of the home. An Arizona family faced serious problems with strep when flea-laden desert sand was brought near their home. The sand was meant to fill a sandbox. The family cat transferred the fleas from the sandbox to the home, where family members were bitten. Diseases are'nt the only threat that pests pose to humans. Many rodents and insects can cause allergies and some have poisonous venom that can hurt, and sometimes kill, people.
Allergies and Venom
Another problem area is allergens. Pests can carry allergens into the home. Their feces can also cause allergic reactions and their shedding skin can pollute your indoor air. Dust mite dander and droppings are among of the most common indoor allergens. However, other pests can also cause allergic reactions. Black widows and brown recluse spiders are two venomous spiders that whose bites can cause significant health problems or even death if left untreated. Bugs like wasps, hornets, and bees can also sting which can cause a severe, and sometimes lethal, allergic reaction in humans.
House Damage
Insects can also cause structural damage to your home. If you have any wood structure in your home that is not treated for insects and these pests take over, you'll quickly find yourself paying high costs for repairs. Mice and other rodents often chew on electrical wires, causing shorts that can start house fires.Keep in mind the sheer level of destruction and harm pests can bring into your life. Termites are another serious problem when it comes to structural damage, especially given that they are attracted to humid environments, something that Georgia has plenty of. They live and find nourishment in cellulose (which is found in wood), and can be a serious issue for houses that are primarily made of wood. Termite damage costs US homeowners around five billion dollars each year. These pesky bugs are estimated to affect 600,000 American homes and the average price to repair termite damage is $3,300. Think about the amount of damage they can do if they're allowed free reign in your home and how much it will cost to repair. If you're having problems keeping pests under control in your home, contact the professionals at Breda Pest Management. We'll be happy to help you solve your pest problems.
