As we head in to summer, more and more of us are leaving our windows open, protecting our living spaces with fly screens. The droning sound of thousands of insects outside our homes reminds us of the amount of life that is attempting to join us indoors. The ubiquitous fly screen is our saving grace.
Sharing our homes with insects can be downright unpleasant. They have the ability to make us uncomfortable in our own homes, and can prevent us from sleeping properly each night. But they threaten more than our sleeping patterns. The more we learn about flying insects in Australia, the more we realise how they operate as vectors of disease.
The most obvious example, of course, is malaria. This affliction, a blood parasite transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, is among the most universal and crippling diseases to be found in any tropical zone, especially in Africa. It is responsible for half a million deaths annually. But it is not alone.
In Australia, diseases such as Ross River virus and West Nile pose a serious threat, in particular, to the young and elderly. Ross River virus is a form of encephalitis, a viral infection that can lead to swelling of the brain. In its more extreme cases, it is extremely dangerous. West Nile virus, while less deadly, is more common, and its symptoms are often misdiagnosed. Cholera, gastroenteritis, typhoid, and even anthrax can be transmitted through exposure to flying insects.
In short, ensuring that your fly screens are up to the task should be of paramount concern. Magnetic Flyscreens, a Melbourne-based firm, can provide screens that are easily removed, for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Keep your family and yourself safe and happy this summer, and keep your home secure, with an updated fly screen.