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Pests and insects are often harmful to health as they are vectors or carriers the germs many diseases. Some these diseases are lethal such as the plague spread by rats or malaria and dengue fever spread by mosquitoes. Other ailments such as coughs and colds are allergic reactions due to tiny insects called mites. It is important, therefore, to keep one's home free such pests or insects.

Common household pests include flies, which are dangerous pests as they settle all kinds dirt and their hairy bodies pick up bits dirt. These flies may then land exposed food, leaving the same food contaminated with this dirt. Flies are known to spread the germs bacteria associated with many diseases and must be controlled by not leaving rubbish heaps or refuse to lie around as these are breeding grounds for flies. Food should also not be left exposed.

Ants are generally not disease carriers but can be a source annoyance if present large numbers. This is because they are attracted to food left lying about, especially food containing sugar. However, white ants or termites which attack wood may be a real danger the home by weakening wooden structures such as staircases.

Most homemakers are only too familiar with the pestilence posed by cockroaches which also spread quickly. Unlike other pests, they eat almost anything such as leather, cardboard and as they like. However, as they are nocturnal feeders, they are hard to eradicate.

Bed bugs too breed very quickly beds and mattresses and very soon infest the whole house. These bugs feed human blood, and prolonged exposure to them can cause severe skin ailments. These bugs are tiny and unseen, and it is essential to have thorough and frequent cleaning bed and bedding to keep their numbers check.

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