Pests can cause many problems, including:
- Health risks: Pests can spread diseases like West Nile virus, Lyme disease, salmonellosis, hantavirus, and encephalitis. They can also contaminate food and water sources.
- Property damage: Pests can damage crops, structures, and property, leading to economic losses.
- Environmental harm: Pests can cause problems in both residential and commercial settings.
Pests can also be a nuisance and an unwelcome sight.
However, many pests have an important job to do for the environment. For example, bees and butterflies pollinate and are food makers, dung beetles compost, ants and termites recycle, silk moths make silk, and worms filter and amend the soil.