SICKNESS and PESTS
Following are random thoughts I’ve had about pests and their dangers to life and limb. As Maxwell Smart was fond of saying, “Sorry about that, Chief!”
When I was active in pest control I came across several instances where pests were causing health problems either to pets, or humans, or both.
In fact, it seems every plant and animal in the world would like a piece of us. I’ve seen plants growing in residential yards which will burn your skin if you touch them, or kill you if eaten. Some look benign.
We all know about ticks (lots of news articles), mosquitoes, and the diseases they can carry. There are also fleas and flies that carry diseases and nasty bacteria. In the south there are hammerhead worms, black widows, brown recluse, scorpions, several nasty snakes (like Pygmy Rattlesnakes in western Kentucky).
Not to mention stinging insects like bees and wasps, brain invading amoeba in fresh water lakes and streams, and stories of attacking Bison and Black Bear.
We don’t live in a “safe” world!
We share certain problems due to pests in our homes. For instance the yellow meal worm both infests grain and is a great protein source for some pets BUT the eggs and young larvae can cause illness for both pets and people if ingested. A pet can share its problem with us. It is usually a matter of cleaning up the food debris that is encouraging the problem.
Mouse droppings and urine can cause bacterial infections in the gut and lungs. Never allow pets to lick up mouse droppings. Never dry sweep them either, because airborne stuff can and lodge in your lungs.
Hookworm and ringworm both can pass between dogs and their owners through saliva and feces. Here’s how that usually works: Dogs walk through infected droppings in the yard, then they lick their paws, then they kiss your face or hands. Both you and your pet now have hook worms or round worms. It can be passed via pet toys, too.
Caged bird droppings can pass on bacterial infections. It is recommended that you clean the bird cage twice as often in the summer to reduce the risk. A nearby friend experienced several rounds of pneumonia because she was allergic to her Parakeet’s micro-feathers floating about her apartment. The only solution was removal of the pet and a deep cleaning of all surfaces. She’s much better now.
Birds dwelling in your soffit can send thousands of tiny biting Northern Fowl Mites into your home which can be spread around via mice in the walls. Then, you may think that those ants in your home are no big deal, but they also carry bacteria (and some are known to bite people while sleeping). In India a nursing home resident died from ant bites.
Don’t get me started about the diseases cockroaches cause. They are nasty, nasty, and nasty!!!
Cats can share infections. Pregnant women should be very careful around cats.
If your body’s system has been depressed via a cold, flu, or other illness you are even more susceptible to cross-infection. Your natural defenses are compromised.
Some types of grain beetles and weevils are so horrible that pest control companies report them to the government whenever they find them. Teams of experts descend and isolate the problem before destroying the entire inventory of the product they are infesting. the entire structure is treated and monitored for months.
We don’t live in a safe world! We need to protect ourselves by knowing how these things can affect our lives. This is especially true if we have pets because the things that make us miserable can do the same for our pets.
The tree line on one side of our house is a haven for tiny nasty Chiggers. We’re thinking of installing a sign: “Chigger Farm. U-Pick.” Maybe we can register our property as farmland and get a tax discount. You can’t see them. You can’t feel them or their bites. But hours later there are red, inflamed blisters on the skin that itch horribly. If you don’t shower and wash your clothes your bed partner or those who sit on your furniture will share your gifts from nature.
Even the soil may contain pathogens and insect eggs that can invade your body (or your children’s bodies) when you later touch your eyes or handle food. You should cover scrapes and scratches before playing outside. It is important to wash your hands and scrub under your fingernails, too, after playing or gardening outside.
I’ve only just begun to share the horror stories.
Fortunately, bed bugs (as icky as they are) somehow don’t do anything but cause itchy reactions to their bites. They are the only critters which don’t share pathogens, though some people are allergic. My wife was bit at a hotel by several and had repeat breakout reactions for months. I want you to know that I have killed more bed bugs than you will see in 1,000 lifetimes. Did you know that their eggs fluoresce under black light?
Amazingly, the number one preventative measure is still proper sanitation. Wash all food prep surfaces. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Wash you hands at every opportunity. One study suggested that children who wash their hands just 3 more times above the average cut sick days by half. When I was active in pest control I washed my hands often and was rarely sick. I still do. After every bathroom visit. After shopping. After church. After any time I’m in a public building or shake a hand. (My little additional trick is that I use my right hand to open doors, push the cart, shake hands, pet dogs, and pick up pens others have used. My left hand is always the safer one if my eye gets itchy.)
The second prevention is vision. I LOOK for issues. I see ants, spiders, cockroaches, bed bugs, and other things OR I see their signs before most people would even be aware. When renting a hotel room the very first thing out of our travel bag is a strong flashlight. We inspect the bed and room for unwelcome guests. Even a five-star reviewed hotel room can have bed bugs (or in the southwest “Kissing bugs” – which have a nasty bite and can pass on Chagas).
Third prevention (related to the second) is “Be Aware and Alert.” Traveling? Don’t walk across the grass in Tennessee to Florida or you may get Fire ant bites. Careful on a trail in the Carolinas or you may get bitten by an Eastern Copperhead. Know what is found in the area you are visiting. Where we live we never pick up firewood without wearing thick gloves due to the risk of black widow spider bites.
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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