When thinking of diseases carried by pests, a majority of people believe that infections are spread only by rodents, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. What you may not be aware of is that ants carry many bacteria and fungi that can be transmitted to humans. Ants can be deadly to your furniture, personal belongings, and to your health, if not kept in check. Massachusetts is home to several ant species that look for home in warm places during the chilly winter months.
If you live in Shrewsbury and are experiencing an ant infestation, contact a local Shrewsbury ant control service immediately. The ants may have burrowed their way into your walls, damaging the building’s infrastructure.
Here are a few of the diseases that ants can spread, providing you with enough compelling reasons to call pest control.
Stings and Bites
Bites and stings cannot be classified as diseases, but they are still painful and can cause serious health problems. These health issues may be related to allergic reactions or hypersensitivity the human body has to ant venom. Bites and stings are especially dangerous to children as their bodies are more reactive to ant venom. They can be life-threatening. Ant bites can create lesions, cause severe pain, itching, swelling. Bites can also result in anaphylaxis where the body goes into shock.
Respiratory Problems
Latest research shows that ants can be linked to many respiratory issues, such as asthma and bronchitis. Cockroaches have also been linked to these medical problems. If there are ants in your house, they may affect your breathing as they trigger allergies.
Food Borne Diseases
Ants thrive where there is food, regardless of how fresh or stale the food may be. Ants can infest your food and infect it with E. coli, salmonella, strep, and shigella. All three diseases can be fatal if appropriate medical attention is not sought out. If you suspect ants may have gotten into your food, dispose of the food immediately. The longer it lingers, the greater the chances of transmission.
Always remember to store your food in tight containers, and to clean up soiled dishware and food remains.
Structural Damage
Apart from health hazards, ants can also damage your walls, foundation, and furniture. Carpenter ants are one of the most rampant varieties of ants that rip off wood with ease. If there is damp wood and areas in your home, they will attract carpenter ants. Check our sinks, windows, door frames, window panes, and chimneys for signs of dampness. Look for telltale signs, such as wood shavings, strange noises inside walls, and a single ant crawling about.
Call the Professionals
Dealing with creepy crawlies can be frustrating and exhausting, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Call a professional pest control service to deal with the infestation. Ensure the safety of your family’s health by eliminating the problem. There is a high probability that the ants will return even after intervention, but you can follow certain tips to keep them out.
If you want to get rid of the ants completely, then search for the most recommended pest control Melbourne has to offer.