Can Termites Make You Sick? {Signs & Symptoms}

Does the thought of termites make you sick or is it something worse?  Can Termites Make You Sick?

What are some health factors to consider when making contact with termites or their droppings? Do they bite?

In this article, we’ll find out if termites can make you sick.

Can Termites Make You Sick?

No. Thankfully, termites do not make you sick. This is because they do not carry any diseases that are harmful to humans. Allergic reaction or such as skin irritations from the spores of mold that can be generated by the presence of termites.

They can also cause indirect illnesses such as:

  • Asthma
  • Cough
  • Migraine
  • Headaches
  • Fungal infections
  • Conjunctivitis

Mold spores can cause neurological problem. They are not the direct cause of sicknesses, but they can contribute to them.

Can Termites Cause Infection?

No. Termites should not cause any infections. There are instances which are rare when termites bite humans.

There is no reason for a termite to wish harm upon a human who doesn’t contain any source of nutrition. Termites do not require hosts to feed on their blood. They are not venomous.

Mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches can transfer diseases, but termites can’t. There are rare cases where infections have been caused by a termite bite, but this is because the wounds which were not treated properly.

Open or exposed skin can create infections when they are not treated or bandaged effectively to ward off any infections.

Thankfully, a termite has not transferred any type of bacterial or parasitic infection into your skin if you have been bit.

Can You be Allergic to Termites?

Yes. it is possible for people to be allergic to termites and many other kinds of dust mites or cockroaches. Arachnids can induce allergies the same way that termites can.

They are rare in their cases, but there are people reporting that they suffer from asthma due to termites or the droppings that they leave behind which resembles sawdust.

Termites can definitely contribute to allergies or asthma. The proteins that some insects can produce, create allergic reactions or asthmatic responses in some humans.

Skin irritations from those who have sensitivities may develop through rare cases of termite bite.

Can Termites Get in Your Bed?

Yes. Termites can get into your bed if it contains any traces of cellulose. Termites can make little holes in the mattress or bed sheets.

If these fabrics are made of the following sources, termites will be able to find cellulose within them:

  • Flax
  • Hemp
  • Rayon
  • Cotton

Your bed sheets and pillowcases are not safe from termites. If they crawl into your bed, they will not seek to prey on you.

You do not contain the cellulose necessary for termites. They are not parasitic creatures and will not bite you willingly such as fleas or bed bugs might.

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Are Termites Harmful to Human Health?

Termites should not be harmful to human health in direct ways. They do not carry diseases, fungal infections or venom.

The damage that you may feel that is harmful to your health may result from the mold that termites can encourage.

Spores may spread around the wood or other structures that contain cellulose which termites have infested.Their saliva and feces can mix with wood to create a perfect ground for mold to develop.

Termites may also harm your mental health as they cause substantial stress due to unsafe structures you cannot occupy without spending loads of money to repair the damage they have caused.

Can Drywood Termites Make You Sick?

Drywood termites are not dangerous to people. They are extremely harmful in causing damage to your property. Drywood termites can bite or sting, but they would prefer not to do this.

The wasted effort of biting or stinging a human results and no benefit to a drywood termite. This is because they do not feed on a host. Drywood termites only wish to live inside your walls that are rich in cellulose.

The most obvious sign of drywood termites infesting a home would be the mounds of sawdust looking droppings that they can create.

Another common type of termite is a Subterranean termite which creates liquid forms of feces that they used to mix with their saliva to create mud tunnels.

Neither type of termite can make you sick directly. The mold that results from their infestation can create much more harm.

Is Termite Poop Harmful?

The droppings of a termite are not harmful. They may look like sawdust or wood shavings, but they are most likely coming out of holes in your walls.

Drywood termites are very capable of poking holes in your wall and expelling their termite poop onto the base of wood walls. We do not recommend that you touch or handle termite feces on your own.

This is when termite poop is harmful to your home. You must get to the phone before you get to the dustpan. Call a local professional termite removal company.

This exterminator will help to fumigate the area and make sure that mites do not return. The poop that they leave behind itself is not harmful to you or your pads.

Are Termite Droppings Toxic?

Termite droppings are not toxic. They do not cause illnesses. Since termites only eat natural cellulose found in wood or other natural and commercially made products, the excretions are not dangerous to humans or pets.

We call these droppings, termite frass, which looks like sawdust. They may irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions to people who are sensitive.

Asthma or skin irritations of the most common responses to those who have allergic reactions to termite droppings.

The droppings themselves mixed with saliva can create spores that contribute to spreading mold around your property. The mold can make you sick, and termites may have indirectly contributed to it.

Can Termites Give You Headaches?

Termites can indirectly give you:

  • headaches
  • coughs
  • migraines
  • fungal infections
  • conjunctivitis
  • stress related illnesses 

The reason why is because they are able to chew through wood and spread spores generated from mold. The indoor air that we are breathing can cause these spores to create chronic asthma for sensitive people.

Nevertheless, mold inside of home needs to be treated. Unfortunately, the spores could be caused by the spread of termites in our walls. Neurological problems are also associated with mold spores.

This article today clearly states that termites do not make us sick, but the mold they generates from their  infestation makes them partially responsible for any health effects that can result through the spread of spores.

Can Termites Cause Fever?

If you do not clean a termite bite, it can result in an infection. Pain and discomfort can result from a infected bite or cut. The termite itself cannot cause fever.

Unfortunately, symptoms of fevers or rashes can occur when we do not notice that a termite has bitten us and we do not treat the area properly.

Termite bites are not dangerous, the damage they cause to your home is much more of a concern. Anytime you feel that your skin is irritated, itchy, rash, or bitten, you may need to react accordingly with efficient cleaning techniques.

Do Termites Cause Mold?

One of the main reasons is that these insects attract mold. Due to their feeding activity, wooden structures are being decomposed, and the decaying wood is susceptible to mold growth.

If you live in a home where mold is growing on the walls, ceiling, or in the attic, it can cause allergies or other health issues for you and your family.

Sometimes termites hide in moisture areas where mold thrives in the same kind of dark and humid environment which can contribute to health problems.

What Are Some Health Concerns Related to Termites?

There are cases of termites infestations that cause myiasis. These cases are extremely rare. The larvae of termites can prey on the living or dead tissue of a host.

They can find their way on open wounds around your ears, nose or oral cavities. In one case intestinal lesions have been reported by a young girl who suffered from myasis is indirectly related to termites.

The droppings of a termite can cause skin irritations. Dermatitis is one such allergic reaction. Exposure to allergens or irritants such as termite droppings or frass can create redness or itchiness.

Inflammation may also occur when the exposure continues. Dermatitis becomes the results of termite droppings on sensitive skin.

Asthma is another problem that is associated with the appearance of mold. Termites can contribute by helping to spread out the spores.

If mold settles on the human skin or through the air when we inhale it, we can end up with asthmatic attacks or migraines. Mold is very dangerous for young children.

There are also rare instances of termites causing electrocution. This is because they are biting and chewing their way through cellulose that may contain electrical wiring in between.

The powerful jaws of termites can cause them to chew through electrical wiring or cables. Making a short circuit your home or electrocute a homeowner or anyone residing in the property price.

Termites can badly damage insulation, drywall, cables, electrical wiring and endanger anyone residing in your family.

Conclusion

Termites feed on material made of wood that consists of cellulose. They will damage your building.  but can also indirectly affect your health. Illnesses can spread through spores produced by mold.

Termites prefer dark and moist areas and they can help contribute to the spread of mold. Mold and termite colonies can multiply the same time.

Allergic reactions, asthma attacks or other skin infections may result indirectly by having termites present in your home.

 

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Jason Barrett

Hello, I'm Jason. I have 11 years of experience in dealing with pests. I try to provide you the best information that'll help you to make the pest control process easy & affordable