Test Your Pest Control IQ

Explanation
It is true that fleas carrying diseases have killed more people than all the wars ever fought. This is because fleas are vectors for various deadly diseases such as bubonic plague, typhus, and others. These diseases have caused widespread epidemics and pandemics throughout history, resulting in the death of millions of people. In contrast, while wars have caused immense human casualties, the total number of deaths caused by fleas and the diseases they transmit surpasses the death toll of all wars combined.

Explanation
A German cockroach is known for its ability to survive for a long time without food, with a maximum of a month or more. However, they are not as resilient when it comes to water, as they can only survive for up to two weeks without it.

Explanation
Under optimum conditions, one female cockroach can produce 2 million offspring in one year. This is because cockroaches are highly prolific breeders and have a short reproductive cycle. They can lay multiple egg cases, called oothecae, which contain numerous eggs. Each ootheca can hatch into many nymphs, which then grow into adult cockroaches capable of reproducing. Therefore, given the right conditions, the population of cockroaches can grow rapidly, making them a resilient and successful species.

Explanation
Without pest control, food production would drop by as much as one-third. Pest control plays a crucial role in protecting crops from damage caused by pests such as insects, rodents, and weeds. These pests can significantly reduce crop yields and quality, leading to a decrease in food production. Therefore, without effective pest control measures, approximately one-third of the food production could be lost, impacting global food security and availability.

Explanation
A 10% drop in food production leads to an increase in retail prices by 7.5% to 15%. Therefore, if a person's food bill was initially $100, a 7.5% increase would add $7.50 and a 15% increase would add $15. Thus, the increase in the person's food bill would be between $7.50 and $15. However, since the options provided are all higher than $15, the correct answer would be $42.

Explanation
The given answer states that $2.5 million of property damage is done by rats and mice in one day. This suggests that rats and mice are responsible for causing significant damage to property, resulting in financial losses.

Explanation
Insects are known to transmit 15 major illnesses. This includes diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus. These pests can carry and transmit these diseases to humans through their bites. It is important to take measures to prevent and control these pests to reduce the risk of contracting these illnesses.

Explanation
Termites cause $1.5 billion of dollars of damage yearly throughout the USA. This means that termites are responsible for causing extensive financial losses due to the damage they inflict on structures and properties. The high cost of damage highlights the significant impact termites have on the economy and the importance of effective termite control measures to minimize these losses.