A powerpoint presentation discussing the harmful effects of pests and rodents to our health and the ways on how to prevent them.

1. Effects and
Preventions of Pests
and Rodents
Health 6

2. Health is wealth.
This gives large meaning to our life,
as health is considered the most
valuable and precious for every
individual. But one thing is for
sure…most pests and rodents have
several negative impacts on human
health.

3. Household pests including insects
like cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes
and rodents like rats or mice. Pests
and rodents can have harmful effects
on you and your family’s health.
Pests and rodents are carriers of
disease-causing organisms like
bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

4. Diseases Caused by Pests and
Rodents
• Salmonellosis is a condition
caused by bacteria of the
Salmonella group. It is a type of
food poisoning which can cause
acute gastro-enteritis, headache,
fever and vomiting.

5. • Leptospirosis is an infectious bacterial
disease that occurs in rodents and can
be transmitted to humans. The disease is
usually contacted by wading through
flood waters contaminated with mice
urine. Signs and symptoms are mild
headaches, muscle pains and fevers. In
severe cases, there is bleeding in the
lungs or meningitis.

6. • Plague is a bacterial infection
found mainly in rodents. Rat fleas
feed on a bacteria infected rodent
and transmit the disease to humans
through biting. Symptoms include
fever, weakness and headache.
Usually this begins one to seven
days after exposure.

7. • Rat-bite fever is a disease of rodent
caused by bacteria. It is usually
transmitted to humans through rat
biting. Symptoms include chills, fever,
vomiting, headaches, and muscle
aches. Joints can also become
painfully swollen and pain can be
experienced in the back.

8. • Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne
tropical disease caused by the
dengue virus. Symptoms typically
begin three to fourteen days after
infection. These may include a
high fever, headache, vomiting,
muscle and joint pains, and a
characteristic of skin rash.

9. • Hepatitis A is an infectious
disease of the liver. It is a
form of viral hepatitis
transmitted in food causing
fever and jaundice.

10. How Insects and Rodents Transmit
Diseases to Humans
• Cockroaches and flies can
contaminate food with their waste and
saliva which contains bacteria that can
cause food poisoning and diarrhea.
They can deposit bacteria onto
uncovered food.

11. •Mosquitoes spread
diseases through their bite.
When a mosquito bites, it
injects saliva which may
contain viruses or parasites
into the host’s blood.

12. •Rodents spread diseases
through handling of live or
dead rodents, contact with
rodent feces, urine, or
saliva, as well as rodent
bites.

13. A pest-free home is a happy home.
Preventing and controlling pests
and rodents are very important in
order to prevent the occurrence of
health problems caused by them.
Here are some practices that you
can do to help keep your home
pest-free.

14. 1. Keep your house and your
surroundings clean and dry.
The best way to prevent rodent
infestation and contact with rodents is to
remove the food sources, water and items
that provide shelter for rodents.
Many insects and rodents are attracted
to food and water. Keep your home dry and
free from moist places.

15. 2. Trap rodents around the home to
help reduce the rodent population.
Set traps in any area where there is
evidence of frequent rodent activity. Some
rodents are very cautious and several
days may pass before they approach the
traps. Other rodents are less cautious and
may be trapped more quickly.

16. Use snap trap instead of live
traps because live traps can
scare rodents that are caught
alive and cause them to urinate.
This may increase your risk of
being exposed to disease since
their urine may contain germs.

17. 3. Seal off possible entry points.
Prevent pests and rodents from entering
the home by checking inside and outside
the house. Look for gaps or holes inside,
under and behind kitchen cabinets,
refrigerators, stoves, around the pipes
under sinks, washing machines, between
the floor and wall cracks. Fill or seal them
as soon as possible.

18. 4. Dispose garbage properly and
regularly.
Waste attracts pests and rodents. It is
best to have a trash can outside your home
to reduce the harm of pests. Store garbage
in garbage bins with tight covers. Garbage
and leftovers are food for insect pests and
rodents. They also become breeding places
for flies and cockroaches.

19. 5. Destroy breeding places of
mosquitoes.
Clean rain gutters regularly to allow
water to flow freely. Dispose of old tires,
buckets, flowerpots and other containers in
the yard that collect water or place them
upside down so that they don’t store water
when it rains. Cover water containers like
pails and drums.

20. 6. Keep the foods covered.
Do not leave the foods open. The
smell of foods attracts the insects like
cockroaches. Throw immediately rotten
fruits or vegetables in the garbage.
Make sure all food and beverage
containers outside the refrigerator or
freezer are tightly sealed.

21. 7. Repair all leaking pipes.
The leaking pipes at home are
leading cause of many pest
infestation. Leaky pipes offer
standing water to rats and
cockroach. Ensure to fix all leaking
pipes at home and actively monitor
any leakages.

22. 8. Wash the dishes after every use.
Pests are attracted to leftover food.
Undone dishes will leave a foul smell or
bad odor due to its decomposing
reasons. In addition, the build-up of
grease and oil would risks choking
plumbing and attracting more pests to
feed on in the long-term.

23. 9. Use chemicals or pest poison.
Household pesticides can be purchased
from supermarkets or hardware stores and
are designed for householder to use around
their home or garden. Choose lower-risk and
safer pesticides and keep them away from
children. They are toxic and if used
carelessly, they may affect the health of the
user, their family, pets or the environment.

26. Assignment: Complete each sentence with the
correct word from the box below.
1. Flies can deposit bacteria onto ________
food.
2. When a mosquito bites, it injects
___________which may contain viruses or
parasites into the host’s blood.
cockroaches harmful rats
saliva uncovered urine

27. 3. Pests and rodents can have __________
effects on you and your family’s health.
4. Household pests include insects like
________, flies and mosquitoes.
5. ________or mice are examples of
rodents.