Watching which types of food you eat and how much of it is something everyone should be doing in order to live the healthiest life possible. However, there’s one thing not many people take into account — if the food you’re eating has been contaminated by pests. Consuming pest-contaminated food is extremely bad for your health, and unfortunately, a few different species can put you at risk.
Rodents
When it comes to food processing and storage facilities, rodents pose the biggest threat. Whether it’s Norway rats, mice, or roof rats, all of them will urinate and leave their droppings in the same place where food is processed and stored. Unfortunately for us, rodent droppings contain dangerous pathogens and bacteria that can cause many different diseases (salmonella,hantavirus, etc.). Every year, rodents contaminate and consume enough food to feed over 200 million people. Talk about a waste!
Cockroaches
If rodents weren’t enough, cockroaches are another pest that can easily spread bacteria that can cause disease. Not only do cockroaches carry over 30 different types of bacteria, 6 different parasitic worms, and 7 other human pathogens (salmonella, staph infection, etc.) — they also travel through sewers where other types of bacteria and disease can attach to their bodies.
Pantry Pests
Within the category of “pantry pests” are Indian meal moths, flour beetles, weevils, drugstore beetles, etc. These pests will find their way into boxed and bagged foods, contaminating the food they touch. Between the germs they pick up as they make their journey to the food, excess skin cases, and removed body parts, pantry pests can leave a lot behind within the food that sits on our shelves. Pantry pests can find their way into this food while in factories, storage facilities, supermarkets, and homes.
Consuming food that has been touched by pests means you are also consuming the bacteria and disease they harbor. If your home or business is infested with pests, don’t risk your health, give us a call and we’ll manage the infestation for you!
