VECTOR CONTROL SERVICES
What are Vectors?
Vectors are animals or insects that do not cause disease but spread infections by transmitting pathogens from one host to another. Vectors are, including but not restricted to, mosquitoes, fleas (plague), flies (Salmonella), ticks (Lyme disease), mites, rodents (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome), and bats (Rabies).
Feral Cats
Feral cats are domesticated cats who are fearful of humans because they have been fending for themselves from a young age and never had the opportunity to socialize and learn to trust people. Often, feral cats are the descendants of unaltered cats who were abandoned outdoors.
Contagious diseases such as herpes viral conjunctivitis, feline AIDS, leukemia, and infectious peritonitis are common in cats left outdoors. Even easily treatable conditions can become deadly for cats who are not seen by veterinarians and are not routinely handled and examined.
Feral Pigeons
Feral pigeons can be public health pests. They can accumulate wherever there is food and shelter, and can take up residence almost anywhere, including around houses, tall city buildings or schools. As well as being a nuisance and causing extensive damage to property, feral pigeons can also pose a risk to human health.
Potential health risks and examples of damage include:
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Transmission of diseases such as histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis (ornithosis).
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Attraction of ticks, mites, cockroaches and rats.
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Unpleasant odor and noise issues.
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Damage to buildings and monuments due to the highly corrosive nature of pigeon droppings.
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Extensive damage to air-conditioning units and other roof top machinery.