When you have pests in your home, it sometimes seems like keeping their numbers under control is a never-ending battle. It’s tempting to wonder what would happen if you just stopped fighting them. However, if you let pests invade your home, you expose yourself to a number of losses, from your health to your home.
Here are some of the harmful effects of pests.
Disease
Fleas, cockroaches, mosquitoes and rats are all common vectors of disease, as are many other insects and rodents. Insects can be vectors for Lyme disease, strep, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, salmonella, malaria, dengue and more. Mosquitoes, in particular, can carry diseases such as West Nile virus or Zika virus. Rodents, including bats, can carry plague, hantavirus, and several other extremely serious diseases. Rats and large mammals can carry rabies. Not only these types of pest house can carry diseases, but they can also transmit them to your beloved animal companions inside and outside the home.
Some people face serious strep problems when flea-laden desert sand has been brought near their homes. The sand is intended to fill a sandbox. The house cat transferred the fleas from the sandbox to the house, where family members were bitten. Diseases aren’t the only threat pests pose to humans. Many rodents and insects can cause allergies and some have toxic venom that can harm and sometimes kill people.
Allergies and venom
Allergens are another problem. Pests can carry allergens into the home. Their droppings can also cause allergic reactions and their runny skin can pollute your indoor air. Dust mite dander and droppings are among the most common indoor allergens.
However, other pests can also cause allergic reactions. Black widows and brown recluse spiders are two venomous spiders whose bites can cause significant health problems or even death if left untreated. Insects like wasps, hornets and bees can also sting, which can cause a serious and sometimes fatal allergic reaction in humans.
Home damage
Insects can also cause structural damage to your home. If you have a wooden structure in your home that is not treated for insects and these pests take over, you will quickly find yourself paying high repair costs. Mice and other rodents often chew electrical wires, causing short circuits that can start fires in the home.
Keep in mind the level of destruction and damage caused by pests in your life. Termites are another serious problem when it comes to structural damage, especially since they are attracted to damp environments. They live and feed on cellulose (found in wood), and can be a serious problem for homes that are primarily made of wood. Termite damage costs homeowners around five billion euros each year. These pesky bugs are estimated to affect 600,000 homes and the average price to repair termite damage is €3,300. Think about the amount of damage they can cause if allowed free reign in your home and the cost to repair.