When you talk about pests that can damage your property, termites are always at the top of the list. But did you know that apart from ruining your wood furniture, clothes, sub-flooring, etc., these pests can also damage your health?
Pests are known to spread various bacterial, parasitical, and viral diseases that humans can catch by coming into contact with the insects, the surfaces they touch, and their dropping.
The presence of termites in your house should be taken seriously and if you do not take the necessary steps to get rid of them, they can easily multiply and spread in your entire property.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the most common diseases that termites can carry. We will also take a look at some ways you can prevent and control termite infestations in your house so stay with us till the end.
Common Diseases Caused by Termites
Here are a few diseases that termites can inflict upon humans
1. Increased Infection Risks
The bites of termites can lead to the insertion of harmful bacteria into your wounds. If not treated on time, it can lead to serious infections that can further affect the wounded area and make recovery difficult.
2. Allergies
Termites can also trigger allergies in some people. They can cause itchiness, watery eyes, runny nose, and even asthma attacks. In more complicated cases, allergies can even lead to anaphylactic shock.
3. Respiratory Illnesses
Termites release small particles in the air that can trigger asthma or bronchitis. The termite-affected wood particles when inhaled can also lead to serious lung and breathing issues.
4. Plague
Termite bites or stings are also known to cause the plague disease. When affected by this disease, you experience fevers, headaches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.
5. Typhoid
This is another common disease caused by termites that can affect several of your organs. It is accompanied by stomach pain, weakness, cough, constipation, diarrhea, appetite loss, fatigue, and extreme tiredness. If this fever is not treated on time, the patient continuously gets worse and can even suffer fatal complications.
6. Salmonellosis
This is a sort of food poisoning that happens when you consume food items affected by termites. Caused by the bacteria salmonella, the main symptoms of this disease include nausea, abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea. You need to make sure your kitchen is always dry and there are no nesting places for pests especially termites in that vicinity.
7. Asthma
Termites are also known to cause asthma by affecting the airways in your lungs. If you are allergic to termite droppings and saliva, chances are you will soon develop asthma that can get worse with time. If you constantly notice signs like shortness of breath, a tight chest, wheezing, and coughing, it is better to consult your doctor to verify if you have asthma.
Signs of Termite Infestation
Termites thrive by feeding on anything that contains cellulose. They can devour wood, plants, books, etc. If you notice worm-like tunnels of mud on your walls that rise up from the ground, chances are they are caused by termites.
Some common signs of termite infestations include discarded wings, blistering wood, frass, small pinholes in your furniture, and peeled or disclosed wallpapers. If you notice any one or more of these signs, you immediately need to contact your local termite control service or take it upon yourself to get rid of these for good.
How to Control Termites?
If you observe the signs of termite infestation on your property, it is very important to address this issue as soon as possible. Following are a few things that you can do to control pests such as termites on your property:
- Use Wet Cardboard Traps
This is a simple yet effective way to catch termites and get rid of them permanently. You need to find a few cardboard box pieces and wet them. After that place these cardboard pieces near the places where you suspect there are termite colonies. Once termites gather on the cardboard, you can simply lift it up and burn the entire piece.
- Eliminate Moisture
Pests love moist environments more than anything and that is why they are most commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and damp basements of your houses. If you keep all these areas of your house dry at all times, it will keep termites away.
- Sunlight
If you have some furniture that is affected by termites, you can get rid of them by placing it under direct sunlight for some time. Termites cannot withstand sunlight for long and soon die when exposed to it for a long time.
- Clear Your House of Mulch
Mulch is moist and it contains a lot of cellulose which means it is highly prone to termite infestations. You need to make sure there is no mulch in your garden or backyard so that the termites don’t get a chance to nourish.
- Use Boric Acid
Boric acid shuts down the nervous system of the termites by dehydrating them. You can apply this acid on a piece of wood and then use it as a bait. Soon termites will gather on the wood and die after consuming boric acid.
- Seal Cracks and Gaps
You need to apply caulk and other sealants to make sure there are no cracks or seepage in your house walls. Look for the gap around electrical wires and switchboards as well and seal these immediately to prevent termites.
Conclusion
So, now you know what are some of the most common diseases that termites can cause. By using the above-mentioned termite control tips, you can easily remove these injurious pests from your house and prevent future infestations.
Though termites can seem harmless at first, but over time, they can pose a serious risk to your property as well as your health. Make sure to be aware of the signs of termite infestation and contact a professional termite control service to minimize the damage.
Contact Lulu for professional pest control and cleanings services in Dubai, UAE.