Allergies and the House Dust Mite

Exposure to house dust mites is recognised as a major cause of allergies worldwide. Common allergic diseases are asthma, rhinitis (hay fever), conjunctivitis and eczema. These can all be associated with house dust mite exposure. Allergy symptoms can vary according to age, life…

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Types of Mites

Domestic mites – are all mites found in the indoor environment that are capable of causing human sensitization. Sensitization means that the immune system is alert to the mite’s presence and its allergens. Once sensitized, repeated exposure to the mite can lead to allergy and allergic…

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Biology of the House Dust Mite

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a tiny nest dwelling mite that scavenges on discarded skin scales in damp, dark environments. It is a potent and major cause of human allergy and allergic disease worldwide. House dust mites have learned to colonize damp human homes or…

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Human diseases caused by contact with Bird Droppings

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus, which grows in pigeon droppings. It also grows in soils and is found throughout the world. When cleaning droppings a person may breathe in some of the fungus, which in cases of high exposure can cause infection. Common activities…

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Diseases Caused by Rats

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993, and…

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How to Get Rid of Rats

There are 67 described species of rat, which actually means the species belonging to the Superfamily: Muroidea. This encompasses what we generally call Rats and Mice. These two terms have no actual basis and tend to be commonly used to signify size, rather than being based on…

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Signs That Rats Are Present

Rats around the house and in offices can be a serious nuisance. They not only cause damage by gnawing on cables, wires and plastic pipes – but they are a serious health risk as well. Rats live on food and rubbish left in open areas, and use buildings – especially roofs – as shelter…

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