Most people associate allergy season with spring pollen and outdoor irritants. What many don't realize is that some of the most common allergy triggers are already inside their home and present year-round.
Cockroaches, dust mites, and rodents such as mice and rats can all cause allergy and asthma symptoms in both children and adults. You don't need to see these pests to be affected by them. It's what they leave behind that causes the problem.
Cockroaches shed their skin, produce droppings, and leave behind saliva, all of which contain proteins that can trigger allergic reactions. Dust mites are too small to see with the naked eye, but they thrive in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture throughout the home. Rodents leave behind urine, droppings, and dander that can become airborne and be inhaled without anyone realizing it.
Common symptoms include itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. In people who already suffer from asthma, exposure to these allergens can trigger serious episodes requiring medical attention.
Children are particularly at risk. Asthmatic children who are regularly exposed to pest allergens tend to experience more frequent symptoms, disrupted sleep, and more frequent visits to the doctor.
The good news is that reducing the presence of pests in the home can make a real difference in the frequency and severity of these symptoms. Keeping the kitchen clean, storing food in airtight containers, repairing plumbing leaks, washing bedding regularly in hot water, and sealing cracks around doors, windows, and pipes are all concrete steps homeowners can take.
If you have a pest problem and a member of your household suffers from allergies or asthma, it is worth calling a professional. Store-bought products can help in the short term, but a qualified pest control technician can identify the source of the problem, treat it properly, and help prevent it from coming back.
At Abell Pest Control, we have been helping homeowners protect their families since 1924. If you believe pests are affecting your family's health, contact us to schedule an inspection.
