Which of the following pests pose health risks?

The pests that pose health risks generally include those known for transmitting diseases or causing allergic reactions. In this case, the correct choice identifies spiders, fleas, birds, ticks, mosquitos, and rodents, all of which are well-documented vectors or carriers of various diseases.

For instance, ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Mosquitos can carry West Nile virus, Zika virus, and malaria, posing serious threats to human health. Fleas can transmit diseases like the bubonic plague and can cause allergies in pets and humans. Rodents are notorious for carrying hantavirus, leptospirosis, and other serious illnesses. Even spiders, while typically not considered a significant health threat, can pose risks due to certain poisonous species whose bites can lead to severe medical conditions.

In contrast, caterpillars and earthworms are generally not known to pose any health threats, and neither are butterflies and ladybugs, which are often beneficial to gardens and ecosystems. Ants may cause irritation or allergic reactions, but most species don’t pose significant health risks, while dung beetles are largely harmless and play a positive role in soil health and decomposition. Thus, the option that includes spiders, fleas, birds, ticks, mosquitos,