Termite Pest Control: Living With Termites
May 12, 2020
Can Living With Termites Be Unhealthy? Termites damage roughly 600,000 homes in the United States each year, making termite pest control so important. Termites don't bite, but they are universally hated for the tremendous destruction that they can cause to your home. Just one single colony of termites could be enough to bring your entire house to the ground. The scariest part? You're not likely to notice this destructive process until parts of your house begin to collapse.
Can Living With Termites Be Unhealthy?
Termites damage roughly 600,000 homes in the United States each year, making termite pest control so important. Termites don't bite, but they are universally hated for the tremendous destruction that they can cause to your home. Just one single colony of termites could be enough to bring your entire house to the ground. The scariest part? You're not likely to notice this destructive process until parts of your house begin to collapse.
There are many different types of termites, and some cause more damage than others. Some examples of different termites that are often found in America include the dry wood termite, the damp wood termite, the Formosan termite, and the subterranean termite. These termites do not spread disease, but little do many people know, termites can cause health and safety issues if they remain active within your home.
How Termites Affect Your Health
You are probably familiar with the negative health effects associated with the inhalation of mold. There are many different types of molds, but some types are far more dangerous than others. So what do termites have to do with mold? Well, it is not uncommon to see mold growing on firewood, especially if this firewood is kept in a dark and moist environment. Once termites begin consuming moldy wood, the mold is dispersed into the air. Once a home's occupants begin inhaling the airborne mold, negative health effects are noted not long after.
Sometimes, depending on the severity of the invading fungus, airborne spores can even land on people's skin. Very serious illnesses can result from physical contact with mold. For example, mold can cause allergies, skin diseases, and mycotoxin toxicity, and that is only naming a few. Inhaling mold can also cause fungal infections, especially within the lungs.
Once mold is inhaled it can also cause a serious illness known as aspergilloma, which occurs when mold begins to grow inside of your lungs. So if you have old damp firewood in your basement, you may want to put on a mask and a pair of gloves in order to inspect the area for termites and/or mold.
