Most people think pest control is only good for keeping pests out of the home and chemicals, but there’s so much more to it than that! Read on to learn what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC says about pest control.
The RX on Pests and Health Issues
Despite what most people think, pests don’t only have to do with structural damage—they also can be a health risk. The CDC says pest control professionals can play an important role in health and safety. The CDC released a few tips on pest control and how to manage it safely. Here are a few of their recommendations – Before treating an infestation, consider all options (non-chemical first) – Be aware that animals and insects may leave their nests or colonies during sprays or fumigation – Keep children and pets out of areas you’re treating; they may come into contact with chemicals that they shouldn’t – Use caution when applying pesticides near homes or businesses–to avoid health issues make sure you always use protective gear, including gloves.
1) The Health Risks of Cockroaches
Most people are familiar with cockroaches, but they aren’t aware of how widespread and dangerous these insects can be. In 2013, the CDC issued a report on diseases associated with cockroaches. The CDC states that cockroaches have been reported to spread a lot of bacteria, parasites, and pathogens. This includes at least 33 kinds of bacteria, at least seven types of human pathogens, and six types of parasitic worms and at least. The harmful bacteria include salmonella (which causes food poisoning), staphylococcus (which causes skin infections), streptococcus (which causes pneumonia), and hepatitis A. It has also been linked to asthma in children. Crawling around areas where cockroaches spend time also means crawling around their feces, which may lead to tetanus and tuberculosis infection (CDC). It is more important than ever before that homeowners contact pest control professionals right away if there is any sign of a problem.
2) Bites and Diseases from Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can, however, cause skin rashes, itching, and red welts similar to allergic reactions. They are most active at night when people are sleeping or sitting quietly so that they can easily feed on people without being noticed. Many homeowners try to treat their own bed bug infestations before turning to a professional pest control company only to find that it is too difficult for them to do it themselves successfully. A pest management professional (PMP) is trained in recognizing signs of bed bug infestation. While PMPs are often capable of treating many types of pests such as termites, ants and roaches, they specialize in treating infestations caused by insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes as well as removing rodents from your home or business.
3) Keeping Homes Free of Mice, Rats, and Rodents
According to statistics published by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of homes in America are infested with mice and rats. So if you’re thinking about setting up a home, be prepared: pests might find you first. What’s more, they’ll probably return—unless you plan to keep your new place free of mice, rats, and other rodents through ongoing pest control efforts. These small creatures breed quickly. An adult mouse may have as many as 200 offspring in a year, according to CDC estimates; most will die before reaching adulthood, but that still means you can expect hundreds of hungry little mouths ready to gnaw on everything from old leather boots to electrical wiring. Similarly, each pregnant rat can give birth to as many as 14 pups per litter—making it no surprise that populations can get out of hand quickly.
4) Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Outdoor Pests
It’s that time of year when we start to head outside and spend more time outdoors. With all these mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests around, it’s important to keep them away from you and your family. The CDC says you should use insect repellent with a DEET or picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol if possible. Be sure to follow instructions on the safe use of these products. If you’re allergic to any of these chemicals, talk to your doctor before using an insect repellent. Also, be sure not to apply sunscreen at the same time as using insect repellant as sunscreen may block absorption of ingredients in many repellants; apply sunscreen after using mosquito repellant. For ticks: Use tick removal tools—do not pull a tick off by hand; they can be difficult to remove properly without tweezers, which are designed for removing ticks correctly.
If you are concerned about the health and safety of your family and possible issues caused by these and other pests, don’t leave it to chance. Call or schedule an inspection with a pest control expert from My Pest Pros. Our team of pest professionals are licensed, trained, and have the experience to help eliminate and prevent pests that cause health and safety issues, or just keep you awake at night. contact My Pest Pros today at 703-665-4455. and schedule your treatment before the issue gets out of hand!