Five Of The Deadliest Pests In The Triad Area Of North Carolina

The worst part is, some of these pests are too little to be noticed. This makes them more difficult to get rid of. This is why it is important to get to know several pests that cause illnesses so you can avoid them. Also, this gives you an idea of pest-proofing your home and what to prevent and what to do when you encounter these creatures.

Without further ado, here are five of the most dangerous pests that cause illnesses at home.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitos are minute insects we often see flying around our houses. They feed by sucking the blood of humans and other animals. They may be small but they are one of the deadliest pests in the world that caused millions of deaths each year.

Mosquito bites can get you sick. So, never be complacent when you see them roaming around. They bring serious illnesses such as dengue, malaria, Zika virus, and yellow fever.

The Dengue virus is the most common illness spread by the Aedes mosquito. It affects more than 5 million people every year. Combined with the cases of other mosquito-borne illnesses, you can see how notorious mosquitoes are in causing illnesses.

A person who contracts the disease can either experience mild or severe symptoms. Milder symptoms include rashes, fever, and body pain. Some even experience nausea and vomiting. To most people, these symptoms last up to 7 days provided they know how to care for themselves or they seek help from professionals.

But if people do not have the medical intervention needed, it could lead to more severe symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, bleeding of the nose and gums, and restlessness. This is the result when the body’s platelets are critically low. If you see any warning signs, seek medical attention within 24 hours, or else it could be deadly.

Most individuals who experience severe dengue mistook their symptoms as the flu. If they use medicines that will not target the correct illness, there’s a greater possibility that it gets worse. So, if you observe any symptom, do not resort to self-diagnosis. It’s best to consult a professional so they can administer the proper treatment.

Seeing how dangerous this is, preventing mosquito bites is the best way to protect yourself. You can use mosquito repellent especially when you go outdoors. Make sure you cover your feet and your arms. To eliminate mosquito nests in your garden, remove any material that can accumulate water. These are the areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Especially during the rainy weather, it is important never to let birdbaths, tires, and tubs out in the open. Cover these to prevent mosquitoes from infesting.

Kissing Bug

Kissing bugs are blood-sucking insects capable of spreading disease. These creatures have cone-shaped heads with bodies that range from 3⁄4 to 11⁄4 inches in length. These creatures look flat, and their edges have distinctive orange or red stripes. These bugs are called kissing bugs because they usually bite people on their lips.

These bugs are known to have caused around 12,000 deaths each year. Kissing bugs can transmit a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. They harbor this parasite by feeding on a person or animal that has been infected. If it is transmitted to other people, it could lead to Chagas disease, a potentially serious illness that can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and sleeping sickness. In worse cases, it can even lead to death.

Kissing bugs are nocturnal so they come out to feed at night. Because the person is often sleeping, the bite doesn’t hurt. So, the person won’t even know that they've been bitten. To get rid of these bugs, it is best to seal out cracks and gaps at home to keep the bugs away. Make sure to put screens on windows and patch holes if there is any. Maintain sanitation at home to not attract the bugs.

House Mouse

House mice are usually light brown to dusty gray in color. These creatures enter the house through various entry points such as broken shingles, cracks, crevices, broken doors, and windows. Like the cockroach, these rodents cannot survive cold temperatures. So, they look for a safe space where they can hide during winter. They need a stable environment where there is an abundance of water, food, and moisture.

A house mouse carries a big risk to human health that may lead to serious illness. They contaminate food through their droppings and urine that can trigger allergies, cause food poisoning, or spread diseases like Hantavirus and salmonellosis.

Hantavirus is one of the most dangerous illnesses from rodents. It is a family of viruses that are spread by rodents. The most common type is HPS, also known as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Anyone who comes across rodents that carries the virus can be infected. The early symptoms include but are not limited to muscle pain, particularly on large muscle groups, headache, dizziness, chills, and abdominal pain. Without medical intervention, it could lead to more severe complications such as shortness of breath brought by the filling of fluid in the lungs.

Note that this disease can be fatal with a mortality rate of 38%. So, you need to learn how to eliminate rodents to maintain a safe house.

Any signs of infestation must be taken control before it gets worse. House mice will always find a way to get inside your house so it is important to keep all cracks and holes sealed. You can also use some common DIY methods like snap traps and poison pellets or bait stations. Traps should be installed and set in areas around your home where mice have been found. Also, take out the garbage regularly and never leave open food on your counters because this can attract mice as well.

Bed Bugs

Bedbugs are small, oval-shaped, brownish insects that feed on animal or human blood. Bedbugs can’t fly but they can crawl on floors, walls, and ceilings easily. They are mainly active at night, and typically bite people as they sleep. They feed by piercing the skin and extract blood through their elongated beak. Many people are asking why they do not feel bed bug bites. This is because of their anesthetic saliva. Before they suck your blood, they will inject some form of numbing agent for the bite site. It also works as a blood thinner. So, they can easily suck the blood from your veins.

These bugs feed until they get engorged for three to 10 minutes and then crawl away undetected. While they are not carriers of infectious diseases, they may have other impacts on you. Their bites not only cause rashes, scars, and lesions but also cause psychological effects. Sharing your bed with these bugs can lead to anxiety, lack of sleep, stress, and depression. Do not underestimate the effects of these disorders for it is as fatal as physical illnesses. 

To get rid of these bugs, start with cleaning up all the places where they live or hide especially the beddings, curtains, and sofa. Normally, chemical treatments are needed to eliminate them. Since insecticides can be harmful to humans and animals, it’s best to take precautions. Better yet, call a professional so they can administer these treatments properly.           

Cockroaches

Cockroaches have been long despised by homeowners not only because of their disgusting appearance but also because they pose serious harm to human health. They live in the sewers, drainage pipes, and garbage sites. They enter homes in search of food and warmth. In the process, they spread countless bacteria and viruses.

Their droppings, urine, rotting roach bodies, and skin shed can trigger allergic reactions and asthma. Plus, if people ingest contaminated food, it can lead to dysentery, salmonella infection, and many more. Therefore, observe proper sanitation at home to not attract the roaches. Make sure to seal off cracks or any entry points for them. If the infestation can no longer be controlled, do not hesitate to call for a pest control expert. They have more effective ways to exterminate roaches in your home.

There you have it! These are a few of the most dangerous creatures that infest homes. You might underestimate the power of one. But you never know if it is a carrier of various illnesses. So, keep yourselves safe and prevent these creatures from stepping foot in your house. With proper treatment, you can live a long, healthy life without worrying about the illnesses brought by pests.

If infestations persist, contact a bug control specialist. If you are in North Carolina, contact Go-Forth Pest Control for the ultimate protection. These professionals offer high-quality methods for pest management at an affordable price. With their help, all you need to do is sit back and wait. When you come home, you’ll experience a pest-free environment.