Many home pests bite… Bed bugs, for instance, are not just disgusting creatures invading your home — and your bed. Bedbugs can also bite you and this can cause health concerns. Cockroaches are no different. These resilient little insects can give you a nasty bite as well… But what do we know about cockroach bites? You need to arm yourself with these facts about cockroach bites to minimize the risks.
1. Cockroaches bite only when they are desperate
We all know that cockroaches are just as disgusting as bed bugs, rats, and other home pests. They also spread a lot of dangerous microorganisms, including Salmonella typhimurium, Entamoeba histolytica, and the poliomyelitis virus. You don’t want them touching you at all costs.
But here’s the thing — cockroaches don’t want to touch you either. They are nocturnal and reclusive creatures. This means that they are also not likely to bite you. Cockroaches only bite when they are desperate for resources. If they can find food and water in your home, they won’t consider touching you and risking themselves getting killed.
2. Cockroaches bite on specific body parts
Insect bites can be very confusing because they all somewhat look the same. They are red bumps on your skin. And they can itch and swell. But insect bites actually have subtle differences. For instance, you know the insect bites are from bed bugs when they form a line, usually in body parts that are exposed during your sleep.
You know the insect bites are from cockroaches when they are a little bigger than, say, ant bites and stings. This is simply because cockroaches are bigger than most insects that can infest your home. Cockroaches also bite on body parts where you often find leftovers and residue, such as your face, fingers, and hands. They try to eat the remnants of your food. This is also part of the reason why cockroaches sometimes crawl into your mouth.
3. Cockroach bites can cause allergic reactions
Cockroaches like to live in dirty places such as sewers. They pick up a lot of the dirt themselves simply because they live there. When they bite you, they may end up injecting dirt and saliva into your body. Your immune system may react negatively to these foreign objects. It may trigger allergic reaction symptoms, including itching and swelling.
Allergic reactions usually end with these symptoms. But on rare occasions, they become severe and lead to more dangerous health risks, such as anaphylaxis. If you experience difficulty in breathing or swelling in the throat, go to the emergency immediately.
4. Cockroach bites can get infected
Cockroach bites are more likely to get infected compared to other insect bites. This is simply because cockroaches are dirtier and are more likely to carry microorganisms that can get open wounds infected. Cockroach bites that are infected itch and swell more than usual. They also tend to have pus.
If you think you have been bitten by a cockroach, wash the bites immediately and avoid scratching them as much as you can. These actions can minimize the risk of getting an infection.
5. You can treat cockroach bites at home
Unless you are experiencing severe allergic reactions, you don’t really need to go to the hospital to treat cockroach bites. In fact, you can treat them at home. Your first line of treatment should be water and soap to avoid infections. And then you can reduce the itching and swelling with ice packs and natural remedies like aloe vera.
You can also go to the pharmacy and buy antihistamines, anti-itch creams, and decongestants if you don’t trust home remedies and natural solutions. But make sure to follow the instructions on their packaging or consult with the pharmacist on duty to know the proper administration of these medications.
6. Seek medical attention if you are not comfortable
Severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis require immediate medical attention. They are very rare, but they do happen. You have to watch out because these reactions can be life-threatening.
Even if you don’t think you are experiencing severe allergic reactions, you can still go to the hospital if you want. There is a sense of safety in being surrounded by medical professionals, especially if you think you are not qualified in handling even the simplest cockroach bites.
7. Clean up to avoid cockroach bites
Some people become anxious because of the idea of cockroaches and cockroach bites. Some even find it hard to sleep when they know they have a cockroach in the bedroom. If you don’t want to deal with such a situation, you can always clean up — both yourself and your surroundings. Remember that cockroaches go around to look for food and water. If they can’t find these resources around you, you minimize the risks of dealing with these pests.
Brush your teeth before going to bed. If you don’t want to take a full bath, at least wash the body parts that often get in contact with food, such as your face, mouth, fingers, and hands. Look for crumbs and residue on your clothes as well.
Avoid eating in your bedroom. But if you just can’t help it, make sure to clean up crumbs and residue, especially in and around your bed.
8. Get rid of infestations to prevent cockroach bites
The best way to prevent cockroach bites is to not have cockroaches in your home at all. There are many ways to get rid of cockroach infestations. Obviously, the most effective way is to get help from pest control professionals.
But if you think you can handle the problem yourself, you can try commercial products like baits and insecticides. If you are feeling a little crafty, you can also try natural remedies like baking soda and boric acid. However, take note that natural remedies are not very effective against severe cockroach infestations. Many natural remedy articles you read online are also misleading. Many of the ingredients they share only repel cockroaches, not kill them. Repellents won’t get rid of your cockroach problem, especially if it is already severe.
Stick to commercial products instead. If you really want to use natural remedies, do your own research and make sure the ingredients you are using actually kill cockroaches, not just repel them.