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You are probably well aware of the life cycle of most frogs. They lay their eggs in water and when the tadpoles hatch they are on their own with no parental intervention. The lucky few will develop through this larval stage in to frogs. Yet there are a few South American species, such as the Mimic poison frog (above) which do things a little differently. They carry their tadpoles about on their backs.

Until the announcement on the 11 April 2009 about the breed of dog that President Obama and his family were to welcome in to the White House, little was known about the Portuguese Water Dog.  Yet the fact that Bo (as he became known) was soon ensconced in the White House is, for his breed, something just short of a miracle. Behind the shaggy good looks there lies a remarkable story of species survival. By the 1930s the dog was on the verge of extinction.

Arguments abound about the origins of the Portuguese Water Dog with many maintaining that the first early examples of the species appeared on the Russian Steppes around 700 BC.  If this is the case, one can only wonder whether the irony is lost on President Obama: the dog that became part of his family has its origins in what was for many years called the USSR?

Hermit crabs use sea shells as their homes but as the crab grows they need to move on and move up the property ladder.  You might think that they simply find a bigger shell and slip in to that but the process can be rather more extraordinary.

As humans we often form chains in order for many people to move at once.  It is the same for the hermit crab with a number of crabs lining up to exchange – in strict order of size.  Of course the odd bit of gazumping goes on, as you can see in this fascinating footage narrated by David Attenborough.

We all take pride in keeping our homes comfortable, attractive, and safe, but there are some things that can have a damaging impact on our homes. This includes pest infestations, which can cause huge problems at your property. We all know that some animals cause damage to foundation and homes, but when you have a pest infestation it can become a serious issue that is very difficult to tackle and eliminate.

As the infographic shows, animals of all sizes can create problems at your home. However, small pests can invade the inside and outside of your home with ease, and once they do this, they can cause everything from an unhygienic environment to potential health hazards. This is why you need to do all you can to help prevent pest problems and all you can do to eliminate them if they arise. In this article, we will look at some of the ways in which pest infestations can affect your home.




Some Effects of Infestations

Once pests breed in your crawl space or around your home, they can invade the area immediately outside your property, and they can also infest the inside of your home. This can cause serious issues, and some of these are:

Causing Extensive Damage and Hazards

Depending on the type of pest infestation you have, your home could sustain serious damage, and this could lead to hazards. For instance, some pests can chew through walls and wiring in your home, and this can pose a serious risk to health and safety. They can also cause damage to other areas of your home as well as your belongings.

Creating an Unhygienic Environment

Another way in which pests can affect your home environment is by creating an unhygienic setting. Naturally, you want your home to be clean, safe, and comfortable, but pests can put an end to all this. You might find them crawling over surfaces in your home, trying to get to food, and invading other areas of your home.

Causing Stress and Frustration for Your Household

When you have a pest infestation, it can cause a lot of stress and frustration both for you and for your loved ones who live in the same property. The last thing you want when you are trying to relax at home is to be faced with pests around every corner. However, this is what can happen, and the difficulties in getting rid of the pests simply add to the stress.

Increasing the Risk of Health Problems

One other thing to remember is that pests can increase the risk of health problems for everyone in your household, and this can lead to serious issues as well. Many pests are known to carry disease, and they can create and very unhealthy environment in your home. This can lead to all sorts of health problems for those in your home.

These are some of the ways in which pests can affect your home and everyone who lives there.