Indiana Pest Control | Protecting Health and Property Since 1929

Can a Little Pest Be Harmful?

Insects and many pests are all vital to the earth’s ecosystem. Your problems begin when they decide to make their homes in your home. Roaches and Rodents spread many diseases that are infectious. A Fly spreads a great deal of bacteria that can be harmful. Spider bites not only can be painful, they can also require that you seek medical attention. Here is just some of what each person should know about the serious health risk caused by pests.

Asthma and Roaches

The excretions of a cockroach as well as the cast skins contain many allergens. This causes allergies in many people. If a child is susceptible to asthma, exposing them to cockroach allergens can trigger the development of asthma. Salmonella is also transmitted through cockroaches, via their legs and other parts of their bodies.

Minimizing your Risk

In order to control roaches you must take away what they need. Keep the area clean; remove water, both places for roaches to nest as well as sources of food.   There are many materials available that will help lower the number of roaches in an area. Baiting is a more successful strategy and can be done by using gels or baiting stations.  The professionals at Franklin take the Integrated Pest Management approach when solving pest problems so that the use of pesticides is minimized.

Hantavirus and Rodents

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease. It is one that is transmitted through infected rodents. It is transmitted through their saliva, droppings or urine. The disease can be contracted by humans if they absorb the aerosolized virus in their breathing. First recognized in 1993, HPS was identified in areas throughout the entire United States. Even though it is rare, HPS has the potential to be deadly. The primary means of controlling HPS is by controlling and eliminating rodent infestation.

Minimizing your risk

Controlling mice and rats can be done through sanitization. All places of harborage should be eliminated, as well as food and water sources. All points of entry should be blocked and baiting and trapping methods should be applied. Baiting should be done with rodenticides. These rodenticides are in containers that are tamper-proof. Franklin applies the Integrated Pest Management approach to pest problems that minimizes the use of pesticides.

West Nile Virus and Mosquitoes

The main carrier of encephalitis is the mosquito. Encephalitis is a devastating illness that will attack the central nervous system of a human. West Nile Virus is a form of encephalitis. Over 3600 cases of West Nile disease were diagnosed in the US during the year 2007. 124 of those cases resulted in death. The United States has seen west Nile virus spread through the continent.

Minimizing your risk

The elimination of standing water is an effective way to control mosquitoes. Remove all breeding areas such as tires, old pots, debris and birdbaths which catch water. Repair or replace screens.

Mosquito activity is greater during the dawn and dusk hours, so outdoor activity should be reduced during those times. If it is necessary to remain outdoors use a good insect repellant on both clothing and exposed skin. The best repellants contain 35% permethrin or DEET.

When you choose Franklin as your pest management provider, they will take the Integrated Pest Management approach to mosquito abatement. This approach could include identification of the pest, larvaciding, source reduction, adulticiding as well as applying biological control.

 

Allergic Reactions to Stinging insects

Stings threaten humans in 2 ways; the most common effect is pain, swelling and itching. Many people suffer allergic reactions to the venom in bee stings. This venom may be debilitating to some, lasting days or even weeks. Reactions can be mild, with itching, redness, and hives with wheezing. They can also be very severe, with sudden swelling of the respiratory tract, collapse, a sudden drop in blood pressure and death within 15-30 minutes.

 

Minimizing your risk

Hornets, yellow jackets, and Paper wasps, are aggressive and will defend their nests by stinging repeatedly. Wasp’s nests should be removed from under building eves and edges and from attics. If the nests can not be reached, such as those inside walls or in very high places, an insecticide can be used. You can also kill bees and wasps with a soap and water mixture.

 

Structural Damage

Many pests can cause serious damage to the structure of your buildings. A common pest is the Termite.  Termites and other wood-destroying insects can compromise a building’s integrity in a very short time. Rodents can cause damage as well as fire by gnawing through electrical wiring.  Much of this damage can not be seen easily because it is usually in spots that are hidden under the flooring or inside walls, crawlspaces and attic. There is often a great deal of damage done before most homeowners are aware.

Your professional from Franklin Pest Solutions is trained to spot the early warning signs of structural damage before it’s too late.

Seasonal Alert

What should you watch out for?

Please reference our Pest gazette on the home page of our site.