Pests and Ticks
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs, a problem worldwide, are resurging, causing property loss, expense, and inconvenience.
The good news is that bed bugs do not transmit disease.
The best way to prevent bed bugs is regular inspection for signs of an infestation.
Additional Information:
Ticks
Illnesses spread by ticks are common in Wisconsin, but preventable. Not all ticks spread illness, and you won’t get sick from every tick bite. However, it’s important to stay
aware of ticks, the illnesses they cause, and how to prevent bites.
Additional Information:
Head Lice
An estimated 6-12 million children, ages 3-11 are infested with head lice each year in the US.
FACTS you should know:
- Head lice do not transmit disease, so they are not considered a health hazard.
- Having head lice has nothing to do with how clean a person or their environment is.
- Head lice cannot jump or fly. They move by crawling only.
- Animals, including pets, do not get or spread head lice.
- Head lice are mainly spread by direct contact (one person’s hair touching another’s infested hair).
- Head lice can cause an itchy scalp. Skin infection can occur from excessive scratching.
- Lice combs are highly effective at combing nits (eggs) and live lice out of hair.
SIGNS of head lice include:
- Presence of small light-colored nits (eggs) on strands of hair near the scalp, especially behind the ears, nape of the neck, and top of the scalp.
Nits can look similar to dandruff but stick to the strand of hair.
- Presence of live lice appear as small gray-black bugs about 1/8” in length (the size of a sesame seed).
- Excessive itching of the scalp, especially behind the ears, nape of the neck, and top of the head.
If you suspect someone in your household may have head lice, talk to your provider for the most current recommended care.
Resources:
Cockroaches
Cockroaches and their droppings may trigger an asthma attack. Their feces, saliva, eggs, outer covering, or cuticles left behind on surfaces contain substances allergenic
to humans, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Additional Information: