Houston Mosquito Control Systems

Pest & Diseases

We all know how aggravating insects can be. But lately there has been a sharp rise in the potential diseases carried by those insects. Unwanted insects can make the outdoors an unbearable environment. Houston Mosquito Control Systems is here to help you get back to the things you enjoy.

How Insects Make Us Sick

There are two primary ways that insects transmit disease. The first is mechanical transmission. Similar to how humans track outdoor dirt and mud from unclean shoes into a home, flys and other insects can carry millions of microorganisms on their feet, which are harmful to humans. With enough exposure, diseases can be passed onto humans. Insects can pick up contamination from such things as feces and other harmful environments. When insects land on our food, or when we are bitten, the opportunity for transmission of diseases is evident. It is on these occasions that deadly illnesses such as typhoid, dysentery, or even cholera are contracted.

The second way insects can make us sick is through bites. Some of the world's deadliest diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and west nile virus are passed on in this manner. All together several million deaths occur every year from these threats. Insect bites can affect animals in our communities as well as humans.

Pests

The overuse of pesticides has been a significant factor in the resurgence of insect-borne diseases. Insects have adapted to many types of common pest prevention methods making them harder to control.

Changes in the world climate also contribute to the spread of pests and diseases. Insects seeking cooler climates have moved into areas populated by larger communities of people. Rains and floods leave stagnant waters, which provide perfect conditions suitable for insect reproduction. The increased breeding cycle increases the population of both insects and the microorganisms they carry.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is primarily transferred to humans by mosquitoes. The West Nile Virus was first detected in the Western hemisphere in 1999. There have been more than 3,000 cases of West Nile Virus in the United States and more than 200 related deaths. Most infected people are never aware of their exposure until serious illnesses occur. Currently there is no way to screen blood or treat West Nile Virus.

Resources for Further Reading

Be aware of the facts. There are many sites that provide information about West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Malaria, Encephalitis and Rift Valley Fever as well as other insect-borne diseases.