exposure TO insects & pests
People have a right to protection from chronic exposure to household pests and biting insects in and around their living spaces. Below you can find data sources to help determine your level of exposure.
Pests transmit disease and increase exposure to allergens, resulting in poor air quality, living conditions, and health impacts. Zoonotic diseases, spread between animals and people, have a greater risk of spread in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards and underinvestment in infrastructure. Increased household allergens is often associated with housing disrepair, as well as socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. Asthma is continuously identified as a key residential health hazard by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
Underinvested communities often face challenges in accessing quality housing. Overcrowding and inadequate maintenance including cracks, gaps, and other structural issues create favorable conditions for pests to enter, hide, and thrive. Economic constraints limit residents’ ability to invest in pest control measures.
Assessing residential exposure to pests, as well as the associated health impacts, may help communities advocate for remediation. Addressing these concerns requires a comprehensive and equitable approach to housing, healthcare, pest control, and environmental management. See EPA—Pests.
COMMON PESTS
RODENTS carry disease and allergens, destroy property, and contaminate food.
COCKROACHES carry disease and allergens, destroy property, and contaminate food.
DUST MITES reduce indoor air quality by increasing allergen load.
TERMITES infest and destroy wood, compromising building structure.
MOSQUITOES bite and cause irritation, and can transmit diseases including malaria, Zika, encephalitis, and yellow fever.
BED BUGS bite and cause irritation and allergic reactions
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A method of pest control that uses knowledge of pest behaviors and life cycle to encourage natural barriers, limiting the use of harmful pesticides. This practice can be applied in both small and large scale operations, from an individual household to a large-scale farm.
See HUD—IPM Guide.
Pesticide Exposure
Quick and cheap remedies to control pests often result in exposing individuals to harmful chemicals through the use of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. In addition to this, pesticide manufacturing and toxic byproducts disproportionately expose those who live near these facilities.
See Air Pollution & Water Pollution EJCP data pages for more information.
national DATA
CDC NCEZID Surveillance & Data Systems: CDC list of surveillance systems used to track foodborne, waterborne, and animal contact diseases reported in the U.S.
USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service: list of regulated, monitored, and managed agricultural pests and disease in the U.S. that provides links to information about management and data collected.
EPA Pests of Significant Public Health Importance: list of pests with significant public health importance, regularly updated by the EPA, DHHS, and the USDA. Pests are organized into 3 categories: arthropods, vertebrates, and microorganisms.
Additional resources
State List of Rental Pest Control Responsibility: list of state-specific laws dictating who is responsible for pest control in rental housing.
Pest Identification Guide: a comprehensive and factual resource for citizens, educators and pest control professionals. From common household pest information to do-it-yourself pest control tips, this site provides credible information and tools for pest management from the National Pest Management Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the protection of public health, food and property.
University Extension Services: Many state universities provide resources through education and programming that bring together the expertise of academia with practical needs of local communities in areas such as pest control.