Do Bed Bugs Cause Disease?
Generally, bed bugs do not cause disease. There is always the chance that a bite, which is often very itchy, may become infected due to scratching but other than that bed bugs are not known to cause diseases.
That news might change as a study that was published by Penn State has shown that bed bugs can carry the and transmit the pathogens that cause the disease Chagas. While the study demonstrates the capability, it does not produce evidence that the spread of Chagas has gone up because of bed bugs. Bed bugs are a major handicap to health as they are on almost every contentment of the world. Should they evolve to transmit disease, people everywhere – rich and poor – will be at risk.
Bed Bugs as Agents of Disease
Bed bugs are hemipterans – a very large order of insects that include the kissing bug which does transmit Chagas. Currently, bed bugs have all the natural mechanisms in place to be a host for the parasite that causes Chagas. The reason that is so important is because bed bugs have but one prey – humans. This is an insect that preys on humans.
Currently, the kissing bug is isolated in the tropical areas South American. As the geographical barriers continue to shift the territory of these pests grows.
Other Pests of Concern
Science is looking at the potential of other insects to carry and transmit disease. It could be possible that the common mosquito could acquire malaria or yellow fever. If that were to happen, those diseases would spread across the U.S. and into Canada.
Many pests cause concern from the diesases that mice and rats carry to the plague that squirrels are known to transmit. Flies and fleas can spread disease and then you have the medical-grade toxins from vipers and some spiders.
Pest control is a serious topic. If you have concerns about pest reach out to the professionals. We provide a wide range of pest control services throughout Bryan and College Station.
Sources: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2014/november/penn-study-shows-bed-bugs-can
