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Although all organisms in the environment are vital, the role that insects play is especially important, as they are significant players in the functioning of ecosystem processes. This ecological significance of insects sometimes goes unnoticed, because they are often viewed as potential pests making them under-valued and regarded by most, as a nuisance.
But they are often “pedal tuggers of the earth.” For instance, waste-eating insects unlock nutrients that would otherwise stagnate in excrement, decomposing floras, and sinew for use by the ecosystem. We call this nature’s equilibrium. As defensive or offensive decomposers, insects are very relevant.
But it’s not all bliss where pests are concerned as they may serve as carriers for allergens that irritate people with susceptible medical situations. Here are some of the household health risks their mere presence subjects us to:
Rats
Rats not only damage property as they eat clothes, books and other household items; they also cause serious ailments. The bacteria the leave behind their trails has been known to cause diseases like plague, leptospirosis, salmonella, Lyme disease and rat-bite fever. Another extremely fatal respiratory ailment they are responsible for is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Extermination of rats should therefore happen immediately they are discovered before their damage is felt in the household.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes thrive in areas with stagnant water. It is therefore advisable to have all water containers covered and the swampy regions near the home and its surroundings eliminated. Certain viruses like the Eastern Equine, Zika and the West Nile, alongside Malaria and Dengue Fever, are all brought about by mosquito bites. Not only do mosquitoes use their itchy injectors to cause serious ailments; in some cases, they cause death in both animals and human beings.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches can be found in damp and warm areas like the kitchens and toilets, or some other location in the household, transmitting several viruses and bacteria. They can pass into every gap in the walls, taking bacteria like salmonella and E.coli with them. They shed their skin in the air in your house, posing a severe risk of allergies. They also cause pollution through cockroach droppings and urine. Cockroaches create a colony easily and will cause trouble with respiration in human beings. When you or anyone in your family has asthma, it will exacerbate your illness.
Bedbugs
While they typically don’t carry illnesses, bed bugs could lead to infections that grow from scratching itchy spots on the skin. Bedbug invasions in the home can also cause mental health issues such as insomnia, despair, fatigue, stress and other social alienation glitches.
In one evening, bedbugs will leave many bites, and their numbers proliferate. They are often difficult to get rid of once they find their way into your house. The bites they leave may cause rashes, lesions, and scars, so it’s best to fumigate and eliminate them quickly.
Termites
Wood is a crucial component of house construction. Termites live off wood and destabilize mould and mildew present in wood which causes the release of spores into the air which then aggravates any allergies that one may have. Inhaling these contaminated spores also activates the commencement of asthma. So, as much as termites may seem harmless, their presence in your household will have adverse effects on your health.
Ants
If thousands of ants infest your house, they can become a health threat. Not only are ant bites unpleasant, but they can also cause inflammation and rashes. As ants are also known to feed on decaying carcasses of animals, they can carry salmonella into your home.
Flies
Trash containers, decaying food, rotting flesh, and manure are areas frequented by flies. They pick up any viruses that are found in these environments and will move them to anywhere they land be it surfaces we touch, objects we encounter or the food we consume. As a result, there are several diseases believed to be transmitted by flies—for instance, dysentery, typhoid, tuberculosis, salmonella and cholera. Or, flies could deposit parasitic worm eggs on your food, which could evolve into long-term gastrointestinal and other associated diseases!
In Conclusion
Pests create a significant risk to your health if not properly managed, and knowing the particular risks different pests may pose, will help you and your family live a healthier lifestyle. You can get detailed information on pest facts and learn the management of pest infestations in your home.
