Sometimes a fly swatter isn't enough. Creeping, crawling, stinging, buzzing, biting and growing their way into public awareness, pests are causing more health and safety problems than ever. Pesticides offer help for the problem with pests.

"Just as antibiotics protect humans from undesirable bacteria and germs, pesticides keep dangerous and damaging pests in check," says Allen James, executive director of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)^®.

"We advocate the safe and responsible use of pesticide products," James adds.

Pests have recently received a lot of press. Last year mosquitoes caused major health problems in New York City and surrounding suburbs. In September, officials traced an encephalitis outbreak to a mosquito-borne virus never before seen in the Western Hemisphere. Seven people died and 52 others fell ill. Mosquitoes were also the culprits for malaria that struck two boy scouts at a camp on Long Island.

Other pests pose risks to humans as well. A record 18,000 cases of tick-borne Lyme disease were reported in 1998. Fire ants, which can be fatal, sting 60,000 Americans annually. Rats bite more than 45,000 people each year and spread diseases such as Hantavirus, typhus and food poisoning. Cockroach droppings are responsible for asthma, dysentery and digestive track disorders. Children are often the prime victims of pests due to kids' curious nature, smaller size, and still-developing immune systems.

"Pesticides are extremely important in protecting public health. Without pesticides, we would be in a difficult position, " said Jerome Goddard, Ph.D., a medical entomologist with the Mississippi Department of Health and professor at The University of Mississippi Medical School.

With the proper use of pesticides, the public is well protected.

"Pesticide products that rid homes, schools, parks and workplaces of unwanted insects, plant diseases and weeds, are extensively tested for health, safety and consumer benefits as are antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals," said James.

Pesticide testing and development takes eight to 10 years per product at a manufacturer's cost of $35 million to $50 million or more. Only one in 20,000 products makes it to the marketplace. Prospective pesticides are tested for harmful effects to adults, children, the unborn, and the environment.

"Consumers do not need to fear being around pesticides when products are being used according to the label," said Goddard.

The only ones that need to worry are the pests.