Updated on March 8, 2023
Cockroaches are a sign of unhygienic living conditions in any space. They are attracted to filth and are disgusting and can be smelly. For centuries, we as humanity have associated them with a sign of poor living conditions.
We have been despising them while living in their fear. But like other insects, do cockroaches bite? And if they do, what do the bites look like? Keep reading to find out.
Do Cockroaches Bite?
The answer is yes; they do bite. But it isn’t very common.
The reason for that is that cockroaches like to feast on sweet and starchy things like sugar, milk, cheese, grain products, sweetened chocolate, pastries, etc. This is why they are commonly found in the kitchen including the microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator.
But, human bites can occur when the population has grown to the point of outgrowing food resources. In that case, when there is less food, roaches will seek out other food sources, and in rare cases, the human flesh.
There are records of cockroaches biting humans, but they are infrequent because it is scarce that a roach will resort to wanting to eat human flesh. But they can indeed do that, both from a corpse or a living person.
Related: Do Palmetto Bugs Bite?
Are Cockroaches Poisonous?
No, cockroaches are not poisonous, nor do they produce any venom.
Unlike other insects, they also cannot sting. But, they are known to bite people, which is very rare, but there are instances of it nonetheless.
How Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Cockroaches are known to spread various diseases and bacteria which may cause:
- Itching
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Dermatitis
- Serious respiratory conditions
- Asthma
- Intestinal diseases
- Diarrhea
- Salmonellosis
- Cholera
- Dysentery
- Typhoid fever
- Leprosy
- Plague
- Viral diseases like poliomyelitis
What Does a Cockroach Bite Look Like?
A cockroach bite looks like a red bump that is raised on the skin. Like mosquito bites, people can react differently where the bite area may be larger and puff up more on some individuals where it may not be too noticeable on others.
Generally, they look pretty similar to mosquito bites, but the difference is that the former can scab over.
Another visible difference is that mosquito bites are smaller, but cockroach bites are more significant than that.
See Also: What Does a Midge Bite Look Like?
What Can a Cockroach Bite Do To You?
Cockroach bite can cause localized swelling as well as skin rashes, irritations, and lesions. These bites can morph into skin rashes, or even shortness or of breath or anaphylaxis in severe cases.
They can also cause mild to severe allergic reactions. The more severe symptoms are given below.
Symptoms of Being Bitten By a Roach
As mentioned earlier, these bites look like small red bumps that are raised on the skin.
They might be a bit larger than the mosquito bite and can cause a stinging sensation, skin rashes, swelling in that area, anaphylaxis, shortness of breath, etc.
Usually, the symptoms won’t be as severe, but if they are, immediately consult a medical professional for treatment.
Does a Cockroach Bite Hurt?
Yes, they are painful, but it depends on your level of pain tolerance. The pain will not last for long, but in some cases, it can produce severe reactions. One interesting fact about cockroach bite is that it is fifty times more potent than its size.
See Also: Common Roaches in Florida, Common Roaches in California
Is a Cockroach Bite Similar to Other Insect Bites?
Not really. It may look like a mosquito bite, but it will be more prominent in size. Also, it might scab over or produce allergic reactions like rashes or lesions, etc. It may even cause a severe asthma attack in certain individuals.
Is a Cockroach Bite Treatable?
Yes, cockroach bites are treatable. Most of the time, you can just treat it with simple home remedies. If your symptoms continue to get worse, you would want to seek professional help right away to get proper treatment.
How to Treat a Cockroach Bite
The first step is to disinfect the area where the bite is located thoroughly. To do that, rinse the skin with warm water and plenty of soap.
After that is done, you can use other remedies. For example, applying an ice pack or cold compress can help with the swelling and relieve you from itching. You can also use lemon juice or an antiseptic.
Lemon juice is very effective against the itching sensation. In fact, any citrus fruit will do.
For antiseptic, you can either buy ethyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, depending upon your skin reaction when it comes into contact with it. To deal with the pain, you can buy over-the-counter medicine from the nearest pharmacy.
What Are the Chances of a Cockroach Biting You?
Very low, or almost next to none. Cockroaches may get plenty of food, so they won’t resort to biting you. Even if they are desperate enough, they would prefer dead skin over healthier, fresh skin.
But if a cockroach bites you, that is a clear sign of a vast roach infestation in your home (or you are the cleanest person on earth and they have no access to food).
This is because now the population of roaches has overgrown the food resources available, so in desperation, they resorted to eating human flesh. After treating the bite, you should probably do something to deal with it ASAP.
See Also: What Do Roach Droppings Look Like?
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
There are many ways of eliminating cockroaches that are in your reach.
#1 – Clean and Vacuum Your House
Cockroaches are attracted to filth, so if you regularly vacuum and clean your house, you will be able to cut off the perfect environment for cockroaches to live in.
#2 – Liberally Use Boric Acid
Boric acid is arguably one of the best killers of roaches but harmless to humans. You can quickly dust the surfaces in your home with the powder, which will keep the roaches away.
- Many household uses
- Meets NF standards
- Boric Acid Powder NF 6oz
#3 – Reduce Moisture
Cockroaches like tight dark places with ample moisture. By using a dehumidifier, you can reduce the humidity in your home.
#4 – Use Natural Repellents
There is a wide range of natural roach repellents that can be used for this purpose. Just place them on the entryways so that cockroaches will stay away.
#5 – Apply a Commercial Pesticide
You can quickly get hold of commercially produced disinfectants and pesticides, which can be used to kill cockroaches.
- Start killing small roaches in hours and prevent them from returning for up to...
- Easy to use, no mess baits, do not require activation. Note : Not for Garden Use
- Simply place them where roaches are found and relax while they kill non-stop day...
- Ortho Home Defense Max Ant, Roach & Spider1 spray starts to kill listed insects...
- The no-fume insect spray is great for use inside your home
- Kills and prevents ants, roaches and spiders indoors on nonporous surfaces for...
#6 – Call a Local Exterminator
The best way to get rid of a roach infestation is to call a pest control company. They are professionals and will be able to deal with the cockroach infestation in a manner that’s completely safe for you and your loved ones.
Conclusion
Although not as severe as you might think, cockroach bites still may cause enough irritation to make you seek different remedies to soothe your itching and pain.
The good thing is that it is treatable, so you wouldn’t need to worry much about its side effects. Just remember to get treatment right away if the bite looks severe enough.
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