Health Threats

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) discovered that in the United States, one-in-five children are sensitive to the allergens from cockroaches. For children with asthma, take note that these increase the severity of asthma symptoms. These allergens are usually transfered through cockroach droppings, saliva, and carcasses. Cockroaches may also carry salmonella and e. coli on their legs which may contaminate kitchenware, food, and any food surface.

Rodents can enter your home through almost any opening. It is important to look for rodent droppings in low traffic areas like pantries, underneath baseboards and inside wall gaps. Most often, rodent droppings only cause allergic reactions. However, they can also cause potentially deadly diseases including Hantavirus. Other times their bodies carry bacteria, such as salmonella, and contaminate kitchenware, food and kitchen surfaces.

Mosquitoes are an annoying summer pest and have the potential to carry West Nile Virus, and pose as a major health risk. West Nile infections have been recently documented throughout the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Avoiding mosquito breeding and nesting areas and removing standing water in or around the home is more important than ever to protect the health of the public. In addition, mosquitoes may cause ugly red marks that itch. People can also have an allergic reaction to their bites.

Lyme disease not only infects animals but proposes a serious health threat to human beings as well. Lyme disease is transmitted by a tick’s bite usually between May and October, although other cases have been recorded in winter months. Ticks that carry lyme disease are mainly found in the northern half of the United States. However, ticks that carry lyme disease can be found in the southern half of the United States. If you are in wooded areas, it is important to be aware of the presence of ticks. Ticks are not only found in trees though, they can be found in low shrubbery and tall grasses as well. Lyme disease symptoms include a localized rash, nausea and fatigue. Ticks carry other diseases as well that can infect you or your pet if bitten.

Each year, more than 500,000 people have had to rush to the emergency room because they were stung by a stinging pest. These aggressive pests, such as wasps or bees, usually sting as a way to shelter their hive or larvae from predators, such as humans, who try to rid an infestation by themselves. Many people have serious allergies to stinging pests which leads to skin irritation and swelling, and sometimes more serious symptoms persist. These pests may sting more than once due to their aggressiveness nature. They sting also because they do not like to be disturbed. A Frontline Pest Professional can provide knowledge and an efficient way that can best exterminate these stinging pests and prevent later infestations.

Ants live in large colonies and are social insects. If you spot one ant, it means that there are numerous more. Ants are not only annoying, they are ugly little insects and can pose a serious threat to contaminating our food. In order to keep the health of you and your family, ants must be addressed if spotted in the house because of this potential for food contamination.

Fleas can feed on the blood of humans and they can bite us, causing itchy, red, rash-like marks, and in some cases allergic reactions. If your pet has a flea infestation, you will likely see these bites on you or your family. These pests usually are seen in warm months and feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, such as a dog or cat. Fleas usually travel with mammals on the move and the infestations are spread because they jump from mammal to mammal. If you see rodents in your home, you are likely to start seeing fleas. Protect your pet from fleas by using a flea and tick product from your veterinarian.