Pest-Related Health Risks on the Rise

Cockroaches, ticks, ants, mosquitoes, mice ... certainly not images you conjure up when you picture "home, sweet, home". But such pests are attracting greater public attention because of the increasing health risks they pose to American adults and children.

"While not all insects, ticks or mites are harmful to humans, some carry life-threatening diseases," says Dr. Jerome Goddard, clinical assistant professor of preventive medicine, University of Mississippi Medical School. "We are seeing several new vector-borne (carried by insects) diseases emerge, such as Lyme disease, and consumers need to learn how to protect themselves and remove such risks from their environment."

Suburbanization and the growing human population contribute to the rise in diseases as well. Goddard says the increase in Lyme disease can be linked to building homes in wooded areas and even tick bites in parks near cities. Parks are a source of tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme and others.

Pest problems are not limited to diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Consumers must also contend with insects that bite or sting, including ants, bees, poisonous spiders, flies, hornets and wasps. Other insects, such as fleas, lice, mites, cockroaches and beetles, can aggravate skin disorders or allergies and infest food supplies. Dr. Bobby Corrigan, RMC Pest Management Consulting, Richmond, Ind., says rodents not only are linked to disease transmission, food contamination but also to electrical problems in city buildings, where they can gnaw through insulation for electrical wires, affecting critical computers and other equipment.

"The good news is that we can put a stop to some of these problems," says Goddard. "Pest control is a matter of education, personal protection, sanitation and elimination."

Corrigan agrees. He suggests controlling rodents using an integrated pest management (IPM) plan that includes sanitation, pest-proofing buildings, trapping programs and rodenticides. "IPM is critical if you have a severe problem with these small mammals, even more than with insects," he says.

While a fly swatter may offer short-term solutions for insect control, many entomologists encourage consumers to focus on broader, more effective answers. Goddard recommends consumers first avoid exposure when possible and use insect repellents and an appropriate pest management program that includes pesticides.

"Pesticides are important public health tools in destroying health threats. I've heard them referred to as 'environmental medicines,' and I agree with that concept," says Goddard. "When pesticides are used judiciously and according to their label, they are extremely safe tools for pest control."

Koehler suggests consumers first learn what they can about the pests they are trying to control by searching the Internet, contacting Extension specialists or pest control professionals. Koehler then recommends consumers target pest control and treat for pests only when a legitimate pest problem exists.

Judicious use of pesticides will not only help protect consumers from disease-carrying insects and rodents, it will help preserve the effectiveness of the products in use. In addition, Goddard says researchers must continue to have the opportunity to develop and register new pesticides that will help control pests resistant to products already on the market.

"The benefits of judicious use of pesticides far outweigh any risks and help slow down the threat to public health," he says. "Consumers do not need to fear being around pesticides when products are being used according to the label."