9 Illnesses Caused by Pests

Pest control is not merely about keeping residential and commercial spaces devoid of detrimental insects. Ultimately, it’s about keeping our physical well-being in check.

We must constantly ensure that our environment is sanitary—pests, after all, are said to thrive in unhygienic places.

And what does that mean for us?

The presence of these insects will, consequently, give rise to a number of diseases. This goes to show how crucial pest control is—you don’t want to expose yourself to more and more illnesses when you can avoid them in the first place. That is, through appropriate pest control practices.

This article will tackle the 9 common ailments caused by pests.

1. Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning. This occurs when your food is infected by rodent feces. This may be marked by symptoms of gastroenteritis.

2. Leptospirosis

This is also called Weil’s Disease. This ailment can be contracted when you come in contact with the urine of infected animals (especially rodents). It is highly contagious.

Some of its manifestations are: fever and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin).

In the Philippines, this disease is extremely widespread during the typhoon season, where the pests’ urine is free to mingle with the grimy flood ravaging the streets.

3. Rickettsial  Pox

Rickettsial Pox will lead to rashes in the body; that is, rashes that bear resemblance to chicken pox.

This is caused by mite bites—mouse and other rodents are usually the harbinger of these mites.

4. Dermatitis

Like rickettsial pox, this also arises from mite bites (which are often carried by mice).

Dermatitis is characterized by exceedingly itchy skin, which can develop into blisters.

5. Choriomeningitis

The breeder of this disease is typically the house mouse, although other rodents are also reported to carry this infection.

Choriomeningitis may lead to cerebral meningitis. Furthermore, in pregnant women, this has been linked to the emergence of other conditions in infants, such as: hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis (an eye illness), and mental retardation.

6. Rat-Bite Fever

As the name suggests, this is normally transmitted through rat bites. However, it can also be acquired when you ingest contaminated food and water.

Some of its symptoms include fever, headache, body pain, vomiting, and rashes.

7. Lyme disease

This emerges from the bites of ticks. This requires medical attention since it can progress into very severe illnesses, such as: cardiac and neurological conditions.

8. Tapeworm

This probably tops the list in one of the most pervasive and dangerous illnesses transmitted by pests to humans. They nest in our intestines and can make us horribly sick.

9. Favus

This is an extremely infectious skin disease caused by a fungus. This is carried by rodents. Aside from humans, household pets can also contract favus.

Key Takeaway

We tend to forget that more than keeping our homes and other establishments sanitary, pest control exists for a weightier reason—to prevent those insects from spreading harmful diseases. This article explores the myriads of illnesses that can assail us when pest control goes awry.

4 Essential First Aid Skills For Survival

Disasters are rampant nowadays. Whether it’s a natural calamity like an earthquake, or a sudden deterioration of a stranger’s health, just having a list of drugstores in the Philippines is futile.

In the event of an emergency that will need health aid, every second is precious and require immediate actions.

Learning to apply the basic first aid skills is one way to prepare for such unpredictable phenomenon.

If you want to know which first aid skills are essential, look no further.

Here are the top first aid skills you should learn to survive emergency situations.

1.    Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Among all of the first aid treatments, CPR is the most depicted in movies and TV shows.

This aid is the manual pumping of the oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain and then back to the heart. This process is done until a medical team arrives.

Here are the steps to follow when giving CPR.

            I.        Lie the person down and lift his/her chin to open airway.

           II.        Check for pulse and breathing. You must perform CPR if the person is not breathing.

         III.        Using your body weight, push hard and fast on the chest. The rate must be at least 100 compressions per minute.

        IV.        Tilt the person’s head and pinch the nose. While still pinching the nose, blow into the person’s mouth for the chest to rise. After 2 rescue breathes, continue with the compressions.

This cycle continues until the victim gains consciousness or until a medical team arrives.

CPR is needed for a variety of reasons like cardiac arrest, drowning, and suffocation.

2.    Choking Management

When a person is choking, his/her upper airway is blocked. Such situation may lead to respiratory arrest.

Just like giving a CPR, performing aid to a choking person follows a process.

Make sure to follow these steps in case someone is choking.

            I.        Back Blows: Using the heel of your hand, strike five blows between the shoulder blades.

           II.        Heimlich Maneuver/ Abdominal Thrusts: This can only be done to victims who are not pregnant or obese.

A.   First, stand behind the victim and cover the waist with your arm.

B.   Clench your fist above the victim’s navel and hold the clenched hand in the other.

C.   As if you are lifting up the victim, pull inward and upward at the same time.

D.   Repeat the cycle of 5 back blows and then 5 abdominal thrusts until the blockage is dislodged.

a.    If the victim is pregnant or obese, a different version of the abdominal thrusts is done. Instead of pulling inward and upward by the navel, the hand must be positioned at the base of the breastbone.

         III.        If the victim is unconscious after the obstruction is dislodged, perform CPR.

3.    Spine Injury Management

 A person can be diagnosed with a spinal injury if he/she:

-       continuously complain about excruciating pain in the neck or back.

-       cannot move his/her neck

-       complains of numbness and weakness

-       cannot control his/her limbs

-       has his/her neck positioned in an odd way

Once it has been established that the victim has a spinal injury, make sure to follow these steps.

            I.        Prevent head and neck movement by positioning towels (or any of the sort) on both sides of the head.

           II.        Provide CPR if the victim is unconscious and shows no sign of circulation. Make sure that you do not tilt the head back, just gently lift the jaw forward.

4.    Proper Delivery of an EPIPEN

Anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction is a serious condition that can be considered life-threatening.

The most effective first aid is an immediate application of adrenaline through an injector called EPIPEN or ANAPEN.

Here are the steps you should take in case someone requires the shot.

            I.        First, pull off the safety release of the pen.

           II.        Place the other end of the pen on the outer mid-thigh.

         III.        Push the pen down hard towards the skin until you hear and feel the pen “click”.

        IV.        Hold the pen in position for 3 seconds before removing it.

Key Takeaway

Remember, just having a list of drugstores in the Philippines won’t do much help during an emergency.

By learning the basic first aid skills mentioned earlier, you are equipping yourself in case an emergency occurs.

3 Simple Steps to Clean Your Refrigerator gaskets

You might not have realised it lately but your refrigerator is an essential appliance that requires close attention when it comes to domestic appliances. Like any other appliance you buy for your Brisbane home, your fridge also demands equal care and maintenance on a regular basis. It is an essential part of the daily household, keeping your food fresh and healthy for long. To ensure proper functionality of your fridge or freezer, better keep it clean and tidy.

If you fail to clean the refrigerator gaskets or any other part on your own, you can call for appliance maintenance and fridge repairs in Brisbane.  However we have tried helping you with this useful ways to clean the refrigerator gaskets easily. Give it a try!

Create a better cleaning solution

Add 1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 quart warm water to make a perfect cleaning solution. You may also try using a mild soap and water solution.    

Use gentle hands to wipe the gasket

Use a toothbrush or microfiber cloth, dip it in the solution and wipe the gaskets with gentle hands. This technique removes maximum residue, dirt and grime, even reducing the odour. When you clean the gaskets, it supports their better sealing, improving the overall performance of the refrigerator.

Check the seal

While cleaning the gaskets, keep a close eye on its condition as well. Check for any holes or tears during the time. To check its sealing efficiency, put a dollar bill in the door and if it comes out easily, you need a replacement. Along with this, also inspect the top, corners, sides and bottom of the gasket.

When you know the door gaskets still seals air-tight, you can stay rest assured about your food’s quality as they stay fresh for longer. It helps the refrigerator stay cooler and protected. This way you can also cut down some money on your grocery bill!

Did you notice the refrigerator haven’t received the regular maintenance since long and fails to perform at its best of capacity? If so, you should immediately call for fridge repairs and maintenance from a reputed company in Brisbane. A professional technician can easily fix the problem with his skills and training in repairing domestic appliances. You will save on your energy bills with a refrigerator running efficiently with enhanced performance. Often, a simple maintenance and repair session can save you plenty of money and increase the durability of your refrigerator.