HARMFUL FAUNA: CAUSES OF PROLIFERATION, CONSEQUENCES, CONTROL - BIOLOGY - 2025

The vermin represents everything that animal, vertebrate or invertebrate, which negatively affects humans and has probably arisen as a result of urbanization, agriculture, deforestation, dam construction, wars, overpopulation, globalization, etc.

It is said to be a "purely anthropocentric concept", since no species is considered "harmful" to nature per se. Some authors use the term "noxious fauna" as a synonym for "pests" or "biological invaders", as long as one refers to animal organisms.

Photograph of a mouse by «sibya» at www.pixabay.com

Among the most prominent animals that make up the noxious fauna are rats, mice, pigeons, bats, squirrels, mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches, fleas, lice, mites, bed bugs, spiders, scorpions, snakes, among others.

All these animals are considered "harmful", since they are potential transmitters of various types of diseases for man, known collectively as zoonoses. The excessive proliferation of some of these animals represents an important public health problem, especially in the great metropolises of the world.

The control of much of this fauna begins with the proper management of solid waste, as well as the use of drastic extermination measures such as fumigation, pesticides, traps, etc.

Causes of proliferation

Solid waste management

One of the main causes of the exaggerated proliferation of harmful fauna has to do with poor management of solid waste, especially organic waste (derived from food, from the processing of organic matter for industry, etc.). However, this does not happen with all animals that represent a "threat" to human health.

Faeces

In some cities of the "third world", the proliferation of these animals also has to do with the improper disposal of excreta, both animal and human. In addition, it has also been related to the use of poorly treated organic matter for the construction of ceilings and walls.

Absence of predators

In large cities or urban centers the proliferation of some "harmful" animals occurs due to the absence of their natural predators. Rats and mice, for example, are natural prey for many birds and reptiles, which are not always common in the city.

Heating systems

In seasonal countries, the use of heating systems can favor the multiplication of many species of insects, which in external conditions could not fulfill their respective life cycles.

Watter deposits

Likewise, the existence of semi-permanent water deposits can favor the excessive proliferation of mosquitoes and other insects that are characterized by having an aquatic larval phase.

Others

The use of carpets and a high percentage of humidity in closed environments predispose the multiplication of mites and other annoying insects for man.

The invasion of natural lands by constructions or the establishment of urban planning in environments that are the ecological niche of many species, causes these to be displaced and are "forced" to live within urban areas, and may become "harmful fauna".

Common harmful fauna and its consequences

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In addition to how annoying many of these animals can be for man (especially fleas, mosquitoes, crabs and lice, ticks, cockroaches and others), the main consequences of the proliferation of harmful fauna in human environments they have to do with the diseases that these animals can transmit (zoonoses).

Rats

Rats are historically considered the most important vertebrate biological invaders, as they were the hosts of insects transmitting plague and typhus that decimated part of the world population during the Middle Ages.

These important vertebrates are also transmitters of leptospirosis or Weil's disease, of trichinosis and can cause acute food poisoning when humans ingest food contaminated with the feces of these rodents. Insects that are ectoparasites of rats are the main vectors of dysentery and rabies.

Mosquitoes

Photograph of a mosquito by "Mark Minge" at www.pixabay.com

Mosquitoes are also important zoonotic agents and the main diseases related to these insects are the Zika virus, malaria, yellow fever, Dengue and Chikingunya.

Ticks

Photograph of a tick by «Marc Pascual» at www.pixabay.com

Ticks, which can multiply in dogs, cats, cattle and sheep, horses and other mammals, are responsible for the transmission of Lyme disease, typhus, meningoencephalitis, babebiosis, mountain fever rocky, among others.

Flies

Flies, very common in different environments inhabited by man, can transmit typhoid fever, cholera and diarrhea when they land on food that is ingested by humans.

Pigeons

Photograph of a pigeon by «Éva Zara» at www.pixabay.com

Pigeons, starlings and sparrows, birds commonly found in parks, squares and other urbanized areas, are important vectors of well-known diseases such as psittacosis, central nervous system diseases such as that caused by the Nile virus, equine encephalitis and encephalitis. of San Luis.

Of the most relevant zoonoses that have their origin in these birds, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, as well as salmonellosis and toxoplasmosis, also stand out.

Control of harmful fauna

Control of noxious fauna begins in residential units, especially as it relates to the disposal of organic waste. A clean and orderly environment is less prone to being the “cradle” of unwanted animals than a cluttered and untidy one.

Removal of nesting and breeding sites

The first measures that must be taken consist of the elimination of the potential nesting or reproduction sites of the unwanted animals.

Eliminate food sources

Then any possible source of food for them must be eradicated, so that the site that wants to be "cleaned" ceases to be "nutritionally attractive".

Experts

When it comes to large pests or excessive proliferation of harmful animals, it is usually advisable to consult with experts in the field, who use different materials and substances that work to repulse animals, eliminate them or induce a change. behavior in these.

Chemical products

The chemical industry has designed numerous formulations, specific for the annihilation of each type of fauna: there are rodenticides, insecticides, pesticides and others; that must be handled with great caution, since they are dangerous poisons.

References

1. Fernan-Nunez, M. (1943). Pests: Control and Treatment. The American Journal of Nursing, 244-248.
2. Frumkin, H. (Ed.). (2016). Environmental health: from global to local. John Wiley & Sons.
3. Gubler, DJ (2009). Vector-borne diseases. Revue scientifique et technique, 28 (2), 583.
4. Leeflang, M., Wanyama, J., Pagani, P., Hooft, KVT, & Balogh, KD (2008). Zoonoses: Diseases transmitted from animals to humans.
5. Mallis, A., & Story, K. (2003). Handbook of pest control (No. 632.9 / M254). Mallis Handbook & Technical Training Company.
6. Mazza, G., Tricarico, E., Genovesi, P., & Gherardi, F. (2014). Biological invaders are threats to human health: an overview. Ethology Ecology & Evolution, 26 (2-3), 112-129.