An infestation of any bug in your home can be a nightmare to keep under control, but it can become a living nightmare if those pests spread diseases that can affect your home, family health and your pets! It is important to know the signs of an infestation, as early detection can ensure the problem is dealt with promptly by a pest control company, such as our team at The Pest Guys, and less harm is done to the things, people and pets you love.
Roaches are some of the most common pests in our homes and buildings – they freely move between buildings, sewers and drains, bringing with them germs and diseases! These little pests feed on both faeces and food, then continue to contaminate human food with germs they have accumulated prior to making their way to your home, which can cause major health concerns.
Cockroaches can spread bacteria such as salmonella, which can lead to salmonellosis (similar to food poisoning). They are also notorious carriers of intestinal diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever and cholera.
Less severe, but painful nonetheless, they’re also known to carry the eggs of parasitic worms, which can cause allergic reactions, including dermatitis, itching, swelling of the eyelids and more serious respiratory conditions.
The key to avoiding an open invitation to the neighbourhood cockroaches relies on a good hygiene regime!
You can read more tips on how to avoid a cockroach infestation over at our Hard to Remove Bugs blog.
Historically, mice and rodents are infamous for their ability to carry and spread disease. Did you know what a single mouse dropping has the potential to carry 100,000 salmonella cells!
The most common disease spread through mice is salmonella; however, rodents have been known to spread diseases such as Lyme disease, typhus, hantavirus and plague
The Bubonic Plague, commonly referred to as the “Black Death” is a historical example of how rodents can spread fatal disease. The “Black Death” is reported to have killed more than 25 million people in 14th Century Europe, with the plague spreading through bites from infected rats and fleas, and from person to person.
Mice transmit disease in your home through:
To avoid an infestation, it is important to seal off any holes to or from your house and remove any sources of food they may have access to – this also helps to ensure that they cannot contaminate your food!
Meningitis is a virus spread by mice within Australia; the disease can remain dormant in the mice, but is spread to humans through mice faeces that has infected food, kitchen utensils and even appliances. While the disease itself may only cause mild symptoms such as headache, nausea or fever, it can, on rare occasions, be life threatening.
While cockroaches and mice can become serious pests in your home, they don’t have to become your new tenants. If you think you may have an infestation, contact the professionals in pest control in Perth – The Pest Guys – for all your pest management needs!