Pest infestations are no laughing matter to deal with. When critters like rodents and cockroaches start living in your business or residence, you and everyone else risk catching various severe diseases. It’s why we will always need professional pest control here in Singapore–illnesses can spread quickly in a small country like ours.
But what diseases are we in danger of if we let pests run rampant in our homes and workplaces? Let’s examine some of the health problems they cause.
Dangerous Diseases Transmitted By Pests
These are just some of the numerous illnesses you could get from infestations:
- Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by rats that can spread through contaminated soil, food, or liquids. You can also get infected through open wounds or the eyes. Its symptoms start with fever and chills but can lead to severe issues such as meningitis.
- E. Coli is one of the pathogens that can cause food poisoning. If you were infected, you would likely suffer from diarrhoea, stomach pain, fever, and nausea.
- Salmonellosis is one of the many diseases caused by salmonella bacteria. It causes symptoms similar to food poisoning.
- Typhoid fever is another infection that comes from a specific strain of Salmonella. We can catch this disease when drinking water contaminated by cockroaches.
- Dengue fever is a virus mosquitoes transmit to our blood when they bite us. It’s often mistaken for other diseases like the flu, so one major indicator to watch out for is if your platelet count drops.
Cholera is an intestinal disease caused by flies that contaminate food or breed in areas where they can quickly spread pathogens. It can lead to severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
Many of the diseases spread by pests can be fatal if untreated. It’s best to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an infestation infected you.
Types of Health Risks Vary Per Pest
While we know that pests can cause health issues, the kind they can transmit differs depending on the animal. For example, mosquitoes are notorious for spreading dengue and malaria, while cholera is typically associated with flies.
However, some diseases found in one creature can also be spread by another. To illustrate, rats are infamous for carrying plague, but cockroaches can have them, too. Likewise, both cockroaches and flies can spread cholera.
How Do Pests Spread Diseases?
Pests can transmit diseases in various ways, such as direct contact, shedding, or their faeces and urine. Touching, eating, or breathing in contaminated surfaces, food, and air is enough to get sick.
This is why cleaning up pest waste and contaminated areas should be left to Singapore’s pest control experts. The specialists already have the protective gear to clean up thoroughly without risking anyone else’s safety.
How to Protect Yourself From Diseases by Pests
The best way to stay safe from the health problems pests bring is by preventing them from making a home on your property. This involves the following steps:
- Never leave food crumbs and spilt drinks lying around for too long. Clean up as soon as possible. The presence of easy food sources attracts most pests to your place.
- Dispose of your garbage daily. The more waste accumulated in your bins, the more attractive it is as a food source and habitat for pests.
- Declutter regularly to reduce the hiding places pests can find indoors.
You Can Always Call Professional Pest Control in Singapore
Don’t wait for anyone to fall sick before you start taking action. There’s no telling what diseases the next infestation could bring to your doorstep, so it’s better to prevent them from ever coming.
Hiring a pest control service for regular appointments can help keep this risk to a minimum. This is because they can check and treat the problem before it escalates.
By proactively maintaining our properties, we can protect ourselves and everyone around us from diseases that could take our lives.
