Indian conditions are warm and humid which is suitable for most pests to thrive on and multiply in.

Cockroaches can cause allergic reactions in some people. Cockroach body parts and droppings may trigger asthma attacks. They leave the allergens present in their bodies on food and these when ingested triggers asthma.

Rats are the carriers of the bacteria that cause Leptospirosis. People get infected when they come in contact with food and water contaminated by the urine of the infected rodents. People residing in areas with heavy rainfall are more prone to the disease. Symptoms of the disease start showing within 10 days of exposure. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, nausea and vomiting, eye inflammation, and muscle aches. In more severe cases, the illness can result in liver damage and jaundice, kidney failure and internal bleeding.

Houseflies do not need to bite us to transmit disease. They transfer bacteria and other germs from rotting substances and excreta to foodstuffs. When they sit on garbage, the bacteria get stuck on their wings, mouth and other body parts. And when they sit on the food stuff they leave the bacterium in them. This is how they transmit illnesses such as food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid and diarrhea. They are mere carriers of the various disease causing bacteria. Some of them are known to be carriers of diseases like anthrax, conjunctivitis, dysentery, typhoid, and fever.

Spotting pests like rats/mice or pests like cockroaches during daytime and in places apart from the kitchen are signs of heavy pest infestation.