4 Hidden Dangers of Ignoring Pest Problems

Despite the fact that few species are actually dangerous, people are rather afraid of spiders. In fact, they’re so scared of certain breeds (like black widows), that they’d rather try to peacefully coexist with them instead of attempting a kill. And frankly, that’s ridiculous. Do you know how long it’s been since we had a recorded human death because of a black widow bite in the United States? More than a decade. Don’t be scared of the little critter. Just squash it with a shoe or rolled-up newspaper, you’ll be fine.

But if you decided to chicken out and simply ignore the black widow in your garage, it would also probably be fine. As long as you avoid the spider, it’s not going to come looking for you in the middle of the night. However, some pest problems can be problematic if they’re ignored for too long. Here are four hidden dangers you could run into:

• Asthma Problems From Cockroaches

Cockroaches release natural allergens, which can aggravate those who have sinus issues or allergies. And the bigger the cockroach infestation, the worse the problem becomes. Even worse, research has shown that cockroaches can actually cause asthma to develop in young children.

• Other Diseases From Cockroaches

Oh, we’re not done with these filthy critters. Roaches have been linked to 33 different kinds of pathogens and a series of diseases and other maladies. They’re also covered in bacteria, and have transmitted both salmonella and E. coli in the past. Cockroaches are just bad news all-around.

• West Nile Virus From Mosquitoes

I know this isn’t a pest problem for anyone’s home, but you still need to be wary of mosquitoes when out in the world. If you’ll be outdoors near dusk, always use some mosquito repellant; especially if you’ll be near any large bodies of water. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, which is a potentially serious and even fatal disease. Don’t take the risk.

• House Fires From Mice

I don’t see how you could ignore a mice infestation – they definitely like to run across the floor at times and scare the heck out of you. But if you decided you could live with mice, it might be a short-lived decision. Mice have been known to chew through almost everything, including electrical wiring. That’s a major potential fire hazard.