Can Termites In Your House Make You Sick?

Can Termites In Your House Make You Sick? Termites may encroach your house and its surrounding anytime and it’s natural to think if it will cause some health hazard. However, it can have devastating effects on the property.

When you have termites around your house, it is usual to have their droppings too. These droppings pose a potential hazard to your family’s health.

These social insects, termites, live in colonies. Although there are verified methods to get rid of them, they may still come in and occupy some areas surrounding them. It is said that termites infest more than 65,000 homes a year.

This costs the homeowners a lump sum every year. When your house is infested with termites, it is normal to have plenty of questions. Can they pose a health risk? Are they dangerous? Do they spread diseases?

Here are the answers to some of the common questions – Can Termites In Your House Make You Sick?

No, they don’t want to bother you

Termites are not there to bother you! They don’t intend to harm humans. They will not intrude on your homes or seek you.

Ironically, their behavior is quite opposite. They would be happy to remain unknown and unnoticed for years. They prefer eating up the old books, clothes, or cardboard boxes quietly.

Do they bite?

If you have a question in your mind about whether termites will bite. Here is the answer. Termites usually don’t bite, it is rare!

However, if it happens, it can be painful. It can also cause swelling and itching. They are most likely to kindle allergic reactions in your body and nobody wants to stand it. You may not want to go through allergies after all.

Those droppings

Termite droppings look more or like sawdust. You may spot them most commonly in the windowsill, corners, and edges. While this may not be dangerous, this may induce allergic reactions in some when touched.

Finding a large amount of sawdust kind of matter is evidence of termite activity in your house. When you spot something like this, it is better to call a termite and pest control service to terminate them.

There’s going to be molds

Mold is something you will find when termites infest your house. Termites are good at decomposing wood. The decomposing wood is a perfect place for molds to grow. They may grow comfortably, spreading and evolving.

When termites may not be a direct threat to your health, the molds that they bring in may pose a great risk. You may be faced with problems like throat infection, cough, wheezing when you have molds at home.

The health risks that termites can cause

Termites normally don’t intrude into humans’ lives or their health. However, some of them may experience health issues, if they already have some existing issues. Here is a list of health issues termites can cause:

Irritation and allergies

Allergic reactions, skin irritation, and itching are some of the problems that a termite bite may cause. Those who are sensitive to the saliva of termites may suffer severe allergic reactions. You may also encounter skin allergies if you come in contact with their droppings.

Respiratory illnesses

Termite droppings may induce respiratory issues. If you come in direct contact with their droppings, they may cause serious infections. Lack of proper ventilation may lead to the spread of allergens. Installing an air purifier may reduce the intensity of this problem.

Asthma issues

The presence of termites in the house may lead to asthma issues. If you are already asthmatic, there is a potential risk of it getting transformed into a chronic illness. The irritants from termites may disperse inside the house and this may cause serious health issues.

Those who have asthma may also encounter frequent asthmatic attacks when they have termites at home.

Possible fungal infections

If your home is infested with termites, there is also a possibility that you may catch fungal infections. The droppings can worsen the infection. If you have open wounds or any other health issues, you are more likely to catch one.

And, mind you, a fungal infection is something worst to have! The repeated visits to the doctor’s office are going to drain your money and energy.

Something more than a fungal infection

Termites may pose greater health hazards than you may think. The only solace is that they are rare. When you have termites at home, they can cause something called the sick building syndrome. This is more like a continuation of a fungal infection.

This may make you fall sick continuously. There are cases where people have developed constant headaches and illness due to the presence of termites at home. So, the moment you find your home infested with termites, don’t think twice to eliminate them.

After all, why take a risk.

A greater threat

We spoke about the health risks termites might cause. However, there is a bigger threat they can sometimes cause! Some termites, look for digestible cellulose and they find it in the electrical wiring system of your house.

They also have sharper jaws to break them. This can cause electrocution and put the entire family in danger

Can Termites In Your House Make You Sick? – Conclusion

Termites may not be so dangerous at the conventional level. This is mainly because they don’t intend to attack humans. Also, they don’t spread diseases. However, having them at home for a long time can result in molds and this may cause severe infections.

You may also be concerned about the things that termites may destroy. Your favorite books, clothes, or wood can be favorable places for them to survive.

This may also give you sleepless nights, not to mention the problems associated with sleep deprivation. You may fall sick due to lack of sleep. Termites, in general, are not a threat to humans.

You can either opt for DIY methods to control termites or employ a professional company to handle the issue. Calling professional companies to have its advantages. They may assess the problem and provide a viable solution.

If you are planning to save some money, then DIY methods work the best for you. You may have to do some research but you can achieve the end result- A termite-free home!