Pests Featured In This Year's PSA

Cockroaches

With over 70 species in the United States, this creepy nuisance pest is known to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, as well as six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. Cockroach pest control and management are important for health and safety reasons because cockroaches can trigger asthma and allergy attacks as their droppings, saliva, and shed skin contain potent allergens and can exacerbate asthma symptoms, especially in children. See these pests in action at OutOfSight.PestWorld.org.

Rodents

Rodents invade millions of homes across the U.S. each year in search of food, water and shelter, which is particularly pressing as mice can squeeze their bodies through openings the size of a dime, while rats can squeeze through openings the size of a quarter. Once indoors, rodents can cause property damage by chewing through drywall and insulation, as well as the electrical wiring in your walls or vehicles. More importantly, these pests are associated with several health risks, spreading more than 35 diseases that can be transmitted to humans with their droppings and dander from rodents triggering asthma and allergy symptoms, especially in children. See these pests in action at RodentsRevealed.PestWorld.org. 

Termites

Termites are one of the most destructive pests that can be found infesting a home, causing more than $5 billion in property damage each year— costs that aren't covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. These “silent destroyers” can eat a home out from under its owners, often without them even knowing until much damage has been done. Termites chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected, 24/7, and can compromise the structural stability of a home within several years depending on the species. See these pests in action at TinyTermiteHouse.PestWorld.org and WillTheyEatIt.PestWorld.org. 

Mosquitoes

These insects are much more than a nuisance; they also transmit serious diseases including malaria, yellow fever, dengue, encephalitis, Chikungunya, West Nile virus and Zika, making them one of the deadliest creatures in the world. Mosquitoes thrive in humid conditions and can rapidly multiply, as they need only half an inch of standing water to lay their eggs.

Stinging Insects

Wasps, yellowjackets, hornets and other stinging insects, are dangerous pests whose stings can be more than just a painful nuisance. In fact, stinging insects send more than half a million people to the emergency room every year. It is not advised to remove a stinging insect nest on your own. Doing so can be extremely dangerous as the colony can become defensive and attack. 

Ticks

Ticks are dangerous pests capable of transmitting debilitating diseases at increasingly alarming rates. There are nearly 100 different tick species in the United States, with ahandful posing specific health threats, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, tularemia, and more. Lyme Disease transmitted by blacklegged (deer) ticks is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. and is often recognized by a red “bull’s eye” rash near the bite site. See these pests in action at TickTalk.org.

Tips to Prevent a Pest Infestation

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes. 
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house. 
• Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry. 
• Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly. 
• Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood. 
• Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the basement foundation and windows. 
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground. 
• Call a qualified pest professional for additional advice and treatment if necessary.  

A public service message brought to you by the National Pest Management Association.