It's common knowledge that pests spread disease, but how exposed are you, your family, your home, and your pets to catching an insect-borne illness?
It's hard enough to keep healthy this time of year, when viruses and bacteria seem to be so prevalent. Add in extra travel, family and friend gatherings, work parties, and holiday school events, and you've got an uphill battle to keep away the illnesses. Don't add even more exposure by allowing insects to spread disease within your home!
Pests Spread Disease
In the United States, insect-carried diseases are becoming more common due to a number of factors. Insects that transmit germs, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are called vectors. Vector-borne diseases have been increasing worldwide, and increasing significantly in the US.
"Cases of VBDs have increased significantly since 2004, with more than 1 million cases reported between 2001 and 2023 in the United States." – Center for Disease Control, 2024
Insect-Spread Illnesses Are On The Rise
There are a number of reasons that these diseases are becoming more common.
Climate: We're just here to talk about bugs, not debate climate issues. However, there are areas in the US that have become warm enough to encourage "tropical" type insect-borne illnesses.
Weather: Weather patterns have changed, yielding longer, hotter summers and shortened winters, which lengthen insect season.
Commerce: With the increased ability to ship produce and goods both within the country and internationally, there is a greater likelihood of transporting infected insects to broader regions.
Travel: With an increase in worldwide and interstate travel comes an increased exposure to insects in travel regions, leading to more cases of illness.
Land Use: There has been more suburban growth, as well as land use changes, such as reforestation, which lead to more exposure to wooded areas.
It's Not Just Mosquitoes
While mosquitoes are one of the most well-known carries of insect-borne disease, there are a lot of other culprits as well. Ticks and fleas are common carriers, as well as rodents of all kinds. Even various biting flies (like sand flies and horse flies) can transmit illness-causing germs. Mites and lice are also on the list.
Additionally, other indoor pests, like cockroaches, can cause asthma and allergies. And that's not to even mention poisonous spiders.
Pets Can Get Sick Too
Furry friends are at risk from vector-borne illnesses too.
Mosquitoes: Heartworm disease, West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis
Ticks: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis
And many others
Don't think that just because your pet is a strictly indoor pet, they're safe from exposure. In fact, according to the Morris Animal Foundation, about 25% of cat heartworm disease is found in strictly indoor cats.
Pests Want To Live Indoors
While the summertime might be the biggest season for insect-borne diseases, now is the time of year that those insects want to come live in your house with your family. Rodents and cockroaches are prime examples of vectors that will seek shelter in the winter and can put your family in danger throughout the entire year.
Let Us Help
It's important to protect your family and loved ones (including your pets) from insect-borne illness. The best way is by maintaining a year-round professional pest control barrier around your home, and keeping your yard sprayed for mosquitoes, ticks, and everything else that could cause illness during the warm months of the year.
We are here to help! Call us today!
For more information on pests in Virginia, check out our pest library
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