We call something a pest, rather than a pet or simply an animal or insect, when it causes us trouble. That trouble might be damage to a property, the mess it leaves behind, or, most seriously, the diseases it spreads. Quite a few UK pests carry illnesses that can make people genuinely unwell, and that is what this post is about.
Flies
Flies can carry diseases that are potentially fatal to humans, including typhoid fever, E. coli and cholera. They are also riddled with bacteria that lives in their gut. Because a fly vomits onto its food to dissolve it before eating it again, every time one lands on your meal it is likely leaving some of that bacteria behind for you.
Fleas
Fleas can affect both people and pets. In the UK the most common problems are itchy bites and skin irritation, and fleas can pass on bartonella, a bacterial infection usually picked up from cats. Not every flea carries an infection. Historically, fleas spread typhus and the bubonic plague, but the NHS describes typhus as very rare in the UK and the UK Health Security Agency says plague is no longer found here. These remain risks in some other parts of the world.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches turn up most often in restaurants and cafes, and they carry illnesses such as diarrhoea and dysentery. In some parts of the world they have even been linked to leprosy. These diseases spread when a cockroach contaminates food. Cockroaches are also a problem for allergy sufferers, because their skin contains allergens that can trigger reactions and, in some people, asthma attacks.
Ticks
Ticks are known for spreading both viruses and a range of diseases. The most serious is Lyme disease, caused by bacteria, which can bring on joint pain, fatigue, fever and aching throughout the body.
Rodents
Rodents are among the worst UK pests for spreading disease, partly because they are larger than most pests and interact far more closely with people. The most common illness they pass on is salmonella, which frequently leads to food poisoning. Rats and mice can also cause rat bite fever and other infections. Not every rodent carries these infections, but the risk is a good reason to deal with an infestation promptly. Plague, historically linked to rats and their fleas, is no longer found in the UK.
Birds
Birds are not always thought of as pests, but they certainly can be. Like the others on this list, they spread disease, usually through their droppings. Research suggests birds can transmit more than 50 illnesses, with avian flu and E. coli being just two examples. They also carry ticks, which can be left behind when a bird nests and find their way into homes.
A great many UK pests carry diseases, and the longer a problem is left, the bigger the risk. If you think you have a pest issue, bring in the experts before it gets out of hand. Call our team and we will help.