Diseases Caused by Pests

With our commitment to healthier living and working environments, we at Northwest understand the importance of good pest management for personal health. Living in a hygienic environment and minimizing exposure to unwanted pests can literally save lives. For instance, the lives of twenty-five million Europeans during the Late Middle Ages were claimed by fleas that had spread the bubonic plague. They managed this feat by using another pest as a host – rats! Modern improvements on hygiene, sanitation and pest management have dramatically reduced the impact of this disease.

 

Another more common disease brought on by insects is Lyme disease. This disease is carried by the deer tick in the form of a bacterium called Borrelia bugdorferi. If a deer tick bites you, the bacterium enters the bloodstream and will lead to skin rash and in extreme cases, paralysis. When caught early, antibiotics can eliminate the bacteria before it causes furthermore harm.

Mosquitoes in particular can carry a host of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, pogosta disease, and West Nile virus. They carry similar traits in that when infected, a person will experience a fever indicating that more serious effects are on the way such as meningitis or arthritis.  All these diseases can lead to death if not caught or treated properly. For some of these diseases, the best form of prevention is pest management. Northwest Exterminating provides solutions to reduce the presence of mosquitoes in and around your home or work environment.

If you come in contact with a pest and feel you may have been exposed to any disease, be sure to immediately seek medical attention. Many of these diseases, as well as others such as malaria or rabies can be treated when caught early.

Melissa Brown
[email protected]

Sources:

http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/buginfo/diseases.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diseases_caused_by_insects

 

Most Annoying Bug: The House Fly?

If there was an award for “Most Annoying Bug” there is a good chance that the house fly would win!!  House flies are the most common type of fly found in and around homes.  The adults usually live between 15-25 days but when they’re flying around your head or your food…even 15-25 seconds is too long.

House flies don’t cause damage to your property and they don’t bite but they are known to transfer over 100 diseases including malaria, salmonella, and tuberculosis.  They transfer diseases and contaminate our food when they land on food and other surfaces.  So not only are they annoying but they are a sanitary issue too!

The best way to get rid of flies and ensure that they stay away is to keep things clean!

Preventing House Flies:

  • Keep surfaces clean and wipe up spills immediately.
  • Take out the garbage regularly and be sure that trash bags and receptacles are well sealed.
  • Clean up waste, including pet waste, in yard.
  • Keep doors and windows closed to prevent entry.  If open, use fine mesh screens.

Want more information on flies?  Click here!

 

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