Pests: A Common Asthma Trigger

Pests can range from a nuisance to a serious health concern. They can carry disease-causing microorganisms and parasites, create odors, and can damage the structure of a building. Worse, research has shown that cockroaches and rodents are a trigger for asthma. For example, cockroaches, have certain proteins found in their saliva, feces and body parts which can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms. Kids that are sensitive to the cockroach allergen have been identified as one of the strongest risks for the
, while exposure to pests like rats and mice can cause exacerbate or cause an asthma attack.

Asthma & Pesticides

Some pest control methods
can also impact allergies or can be an asthma trigger. There is an established and firm link between asthma and the use of pesticides - and exposure to the chemicals often used to combat these pests can be problematic for the health of everyone in your family.

When it comes to pest control, it’s important to use methods that don't negatively impact your indoor air quality and expose the occupants (people and pets) to toxic chemicals. We recommend using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and hiring a professional pest control company who operates according to these principles. However, there may still be parts of IPM that cannot be performed if occupant(s) have asthma or chemical sensitivities

What is Integrated Pest Management?

IPM is a management process of identification and eliminating food, water, and harborage locations to make your home less desirable to pests. These preventative measures help manage pests in an effective, economical and environmentally sound way. Integrated Pest Management has proven to be effective at removing current pests, preventing future re-infestations, and most importantly,with methods which don't expose people and pets to potential, or known, hazards.

Key Principles of IPM

Integrated Pest Management consists of 6 principles: Inspection and Identification, Exclusion and Denial, Education and Action, Sanitation, Physical Control, and Monitoring.

IPM vs. Traditional Pest Control Methods

Pests of many kinds can and will infiltrate a house looking for spaces that are warm and offer a source of food and water. The common, and most popular response is to immediately kill whatever is seen. There are two problems with this approach if you are seeing more than the occasional roach:

Conventional pest control tends to ignore the causes of pest infestations and instead rely on routine, scheduled pesticide applications. Pesticides are often temporary fixes and have proven ineffective in the long run. Non-toxic and least toxic control products are a major growth area and new materials and devices are increasingly available in the marketplace.

Hayward Score’s Action Plan: Pest Management

To manage asthma and allergy triggers effectively, it is important to minimize your exposure to pesticides or chemicals frequently used for pest management. For more information, download our action plan on Pest Management