Pests can be a huge problem for homeowners and businesses. They can cause damage to your property, disrupt your daily schedule and even spread disease. The good news is that pest control services are available in most areas. The bad news is that some pests can be difficult to eliminate completely.
But how do you know which pests you should be worried about? What diseases can you catch from pests?
What Diseases Can You Catch From Pests?
There are several different types of pest insects that can cause problems for homeowners and businesses. Some of these insects carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans or pets, while others may simply bite or sting us while we’re trying to get rid of them. Here are some common examples:
What Diseases Do Cockroaches Carry?
Cockroaches are known to carry a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause a number of diseases in humans. Some of the most common diseases that cockroaches carry include:
Salmonella
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that can cause skin infections, such as boils and abscesses. It can also cause food poisoning.
Streptococcus
Streptococcus is a type of bacteria that can cause strep throat, scarlet fever, and pneumonia.
Poliovirus
Poliovirus is a virus that can cause poliomyelitis, a serious disease that can paralyze the body.
Giardia lamblia
Giardia lamblia is a parasite that can cause giardiasis, an infection of the intestines. Symptoms of giardiasis include diarrhoea, bloating, and gas.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and jaundice.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that can affect the lungs, kidneys, and other organs.
It is important to note that cockroaches do not directly transmit these diseases to humans. Instead, they spread diseases through their faeces, saliva, and body fluids. When cockroaches come into contact with food, they can contaminate it with these pathogens. If you eat food that has been contaminated with cockroach droppings or other bodily fluids, you may become sick.
In addition to carrying diseases, cockroaches can also trigger asthma and allergies. Cockroach allergens can be found in their faeces, saliva, and shed skin. Exposure to these allergens can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation.
What Diseases Do Rats Carry?
Rats are known to carry a variety of diseases, some of which can be serious or even fatal to humans. Some of the most common diseases that rats carry include:
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a virus that can cause a severe respiratory illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS is a life-threatening disease that can cause fever, shortness of breath, and respiratory failure.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and jaundice. In severe cases, leptospirosis can lead to kidney failure or death.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM)
LCM is a viral disease that can cause meningitis, encephalitis, or other neurological problems. LCM is most common in children, but it can also affect adults.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. Salmonella is the most common cause of food poisoning in the United States.
Tularemia
Tularemia is a bacterial disease that can cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and skin ulcers. Tularemia can be transmitted through contact with infected animals or their tissues or by biting an infected tick or deerfly.
Rats can also carry other diseases like plague, rabies, and typhus. However, these diseases are less common in the United Kingdom.
It is important to note that rats do not directly transmit these diseases to humans. Instead, they spread diseases through their faeces, saliva, and urine. When rats come into contact with food or water, they can contaminate it with these pathogens. If you eat food or drink water that has been contaminated with rat droppings or other bodily fluids, you may become sick.
If you have a rat infestation, it is important to take steps to get rid of them. You can hire a professional pest control company to help you, or you can try to get rid of them yourself using methods such as sealing up cracks and holes in your home, cleaning regularly, and using traps and baits.
What Diseases Do Mosquitoes Carry?
Mosquitoes are known to carry a variety of diseases, some of which can be serious or even fatal to humans. Some of the most common diseases that mosquitoes carry include:
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Malaria is a major cause of death in many parts of the world, especially in Africa.
Dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is caused by the dengue virus. Dengue is a major cause of illness and death in many parts of the world, especially in Southeast Asia.
Zika
Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is caused by the Zika virus. Zika can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. In pregnant women, Zika can cause microcephaly, a birth defect in which babies are born with small heads.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is caused by the yellow fever virus. Yellow fever is a serious disease that can cause fever, jaundice, and death.
West Nile virus
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is caused by the West Nile virus. West Nile virus can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. In some cases, West Nile virus can cause more serious illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is caused by the Chikungunya virus. Chikungunya can cause fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and rash. In some cases, Chikungunya can cause more serious illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis.
It is important to note that not all mosquitoes carry diseases. However, mosquitoes that live in tropical and subtropical areas are more likely to carry diseases than mosquitoes that live in temperate areas. You can eliminate these by hiring a mosquito pest control company.
If you are bitten by a mosquito, it is important to see a doctor if you develop any of the symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease. There is no cure for malaria, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the symptoms. There is also a vaccine for yellow fever. There is no specific treatment for dengue, chikungunya, or Zika, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the symptoms.
The best way to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites.#
What Diseases Do Fleas Carry?
Fleas are small, wingless insects that are parasites of mammals and birds. They feed on blood, and they can transmit a number of diseases to humans and animals. Some of the most common diseases that fleas carry include:
Plague
Plague is a bacterial disease that is caused by Yersinia pestis. Plague can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected flea, or through contact with the blood or tissues of an infected animal. Plague is a serious disease that can be fatal if not treated.
Murine typhus
Murine typhus is a bacterial disease that is caused by Rickettsia typhi. Murine typhus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected flea, or through contact with the faeces of an infected flea. Murine typhus is a less serious disease than plague, but it can still be fatal if not treated.
Tularemia
Tularemia is a bacterial disease that is caused by Francisella tularensis. Tularemia can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, deerfly, or flea, or through contact with the blood or tissues of an infected animal. Tularemia is a serious disease that can be fatal if not treated.
Tapeworm
Fleas can also transmit tapeworms to humans and animals. Tapeworms are parasitic worms that can live in the intestine. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
It is important to note that not all fleas carry diseases. However, fleas that live in areas where there are a lot of rodents or other animals that are infected with diseases are more likely to carry diseases.
If you are looking for Pest Control in Dundee and surrounding areas, get in touch with Eliminate Solutions today!
