The Best Benefit of Pest Control: Health and Safety

Given the current situation with COVID-19, many homeowners are focusing on health and overall well-being. Most jurisdictions are practicing social distancing and other preventative measures to help stop the spread of this virus.

In light of this renewed attention to germs and diseases, it’s worth noting that pests can frequently carry problematic pathogens into our homes. They won’t give you COVID-19, but insects are well-known to carry other diseases. Even the typical cockroach can bring E. Coli and Salmonella into a house, and those diseases can make you very sick.

Fortunately, pest control eliminates these insects and creatures and keeps your family safe from these pathogens.

A Brief History of Pests and Plagues

The bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, is one of the most well-known epidemics in history. Killing nearly approximately 30% of Europe’s population between 1346 and 1353, this disease is highly fatal if there is no early treatment.

Modern science has shown that the bacterium Yersinia pestis causes the plague. The bacteria can travel from person to person and through rats. In particular, the bacteria would transfer from rodent to rodent via fleas. Those fleas and rats would then occasionally bite humans, which would transfer this deadly bacterium.

Some people may be surprised to know that the plague still exists in the world today. Although it is rare at 3,000 cases worldwide, 700 years later, it has not been entirely eradicated.

Of course, that’s not the only disease carried by insects. Lyme disease occurs because of tick bites. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile and malaria. And any wild animal has the potential to carry rabies, which has a 100% fatality rate if not treated promptly. Even termites, one of the more common pests worldwide, can cause allergic reactions and asthma in specific individuals.

The Importance of Exterminating Pests

Fortunately, the presence of a pest does not mean that you will get any of the above. As noted, the number of cases for these diseases tends to be very low in modern times. However, it’s not zero. For example, even the US has 2,000 cases of malaria and 20,000-30,000 cases of Lyme disease annually.

The presence of diseases on insects, rodents, and other pests is a compelling reason to have them professionally removed. By letting these pests grow and fester in your home (even “benign” pests like cockroaches), you could be inviting unwanted pathogens and germs into your home.

When you have pests exterminated professionally, you remove the chance (even if it is small) of inviting germs into your home. Furthermore, professionals can help create bug barriers so that you and your family remain safe, happy, and free.

Be Mindful of All Potential Pathogens

COVID-19 has allowed us all to focus on the negative health consequences of viruses, bacteria, and other germs. In our quest to keep loved ones safe from COVID-19, we should take the opportunity to consider sources of other unwanted diseases and allergies. Unfortunately, pests are a common source of those problems.

If you do have pests in your home, having them exterminated will provide you with the best peace of mind!