Pests can result in harm or injury to humans and other animals, as well as damage to property. Any living organism that can be detrimental to humans or their activities can be considered a pest.
Pests within buildings can: - Cause dangerous contamination and spread disease
- Cause damage to property
- Ruin the reputation of your business
Spread of disease
Many pests can spread diseases that are harmful to human health.
Rodents carry a micro-organism that causes Leptospirosis. This can survive in the rat without causing any illness. However, if passed on to humans, either by direct contact or through contact with surfaces or water which have been contaminated with rat urine, it can lead to the potentially fatal Weil's Disease.
Flies and cockroaches in particular carry infections on their bodies and mouth parts, and carry these from dirty to clean areas.
Rodents, insects and birds can contaminate food, equipment and working surfaces with excreta, hairs or body parts.
Damage to property
Rodents' gnawing can cause direct damage to buildings. Rats and mice cause fires by gnawing through electrical cables, and flooding by gnawing through pipes.
Damage to your reputation
The reputation of a business can be severely damaged by pests. If you or your business is prosecuted for pest-infested premises, the adverse publicity can affect customers' confidence.