You may not realize it, but your home is a breeding ground for various pests and other tiny organisms. No matter how clean you think your house is, there are spots where these pests can thrive. Whether you’ve just moved into a new place or have lived in your current home for years, you might want to check for disgusting things that could be sharing your living space.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that commonly inhabit household environments, including carpets, upholstery, and bedding. They primarily feed on dust and dead skin particles shed by humans and pets. Despite their size and invisibility to the naked eye, dust mites trigger allergies and exacerbate asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals. Common allergic reactions to dust mites are sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching, and watery eyes.
Fungi
Fungi, such as mold and mildew, thrive in damp and dark spots of your home, like bathrooms and basements. If untreated, these fungi can spread quickly via spores. The most common health problems associated with indoor fungi are allergic reactions and infections. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, eye or skin irritation, headaches, fatigue, and vomiting.
Pest Droppings
Aside from the pests, their droppings pose a health hazard. Rodents and cockroaches, for instance, transmit diseases like Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis, and Asthma if exposed to their droppings over an extended period. These droppings are difficult to spot and can remain in the house for years. The best way to deal with pest droppings is to call a professional exterminator.
Fleas
Fleas are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that can reproduce rapidly and feed on the blood of humans and animals, particularly cats and dogs. Pets can often bring fleas into homes from outdoor areas. Flea infestations in homes are relatively common, and it only takes a few fleas to lead to a full-blown infestation.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that live on human blood, and they can live in any home or establishment that offers them a warm environment. They feed off the human blood while the occupant is asleep, leaving behind red itchy marks on the skin. Heat treatments are usually necessary to successfully exterminate bed bugs from living quarters.
Bacteria
Bacteria lurk in and around your home, living on surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, light switches, and other hard-to-clean spaces. Common bacteria found in homes are E. coli, salmonella, and streptococcus. It can spread rapidly through contact or airborne transmission, so regular cleaning is recommended to reduce contamination risks.
Silverfish
Silverfish are small wingless insects in homes with high moisture levels. These creepy crawlies have slender, elongated bodies covered in silvery scales, giving them a distinct appearance. In their quest for sustenance, they feast on dead skin cells, book bindings, wallpaper glue, and fabric. Although they are harmless to humans, their presence is unsettling, making it essential to prevent their infestation.
Toilet Plumes
Toilet plumes, also known as aerosols or toilet mist, are particles of human waste that come out of the toilet bowl when flushed. These tiny droplets can travel up to 36 feet, making it possible to spread airborne illnesses like cold and flu viruses and bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.
Drain Flies
Drain flies are frequently confused with fruit flies, despite being distinct species. These pesky insects thrive in stagnant water and commonly infiltrate households via plumbing and drainage systems. Feeding on organic matter in sewage pipes, toilets, and drains, drain flies can quickly become a nuisance.
Bird Mites
Bird mites, also known as dermanyssoid mites, are minuscule and dark-colored. These tiny creatures have a voracious appetite and infest homes when birds construct their nests in or around the building. Once they find their way inside, bird mites actively and persistently seek out human and animal blood to feed on, leading to a highly uncomfortable environment for the occupants of the infested space.
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