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Do Cockroaches Bite

Cockroaches can bite people but it is rare. German cockroaches are the most likely to bite, probably because they are often responsible for large infestations. Cockroaches bite sleeping humans because they are looking for food. Sometimes a cockroach will sense a small amount of food on the mouth or fingers of a person and they will accidentally bite while they are eating. This only happens when there is no other easier food source available. Cockroaches will also sometimes risk crawling over a sleeping person to get to moisture built up around the eyes or the nose. The cockroach needs water to survive and if it can’t find water anywhere else it might have to get it from you.

Children are the most susceptible to cockroach bits because they have softer skin that is easier for the cockroach’s mouthparts to penetrate. Also, children

are more likely to leave crumbs on their fingers or around their mouths because they don’t always have the best hygienic practices. Telling a youngster that they better wash their face and hands and brush their teeth after dinner might be communicated more effectively if you added that if they failed to do so they might have cockroaches nibbling on their fingers and toes.

Cockroaches only bite when there are very large populations and little food and water available. If the cockroach can find food or water somewhere else then they won’t risk getting it from something that can smack them dead faster than you can say, “Gross, there is a cockroach on my arm!” Overall, the chances of getting bitten by a cockroach are extremely small and I have never heard of a person getting bitten by a cockroach while they were awake. This could probably only happen if you picked a cockroach up and it bit because it felt threatened. Most people don’t have this type of contact with cockroaches.

Cockroach bites look similar to other insect bites. The bite can be itchy, as well. Bites are small red marks that often scab over. Cockroach bites can become infected and might be likely to do so because cockroaches are so often exposed to sewage and other materials that are full of bacteria. Apply disinfectant to any cockroach bite and if swelling from the bite does not recede after a few days then you might want to get it checked out by a doctor.

To avoid cockroach bites you should follow proper pest control methods to keep cockroaches out of the house including pest control for cockroach infestations.

Comments

Reyna W.
08 Jul 2008, 15:10

You said that cockroach bites are small red marks.by marks do you mean scratches or bumps because I woke up with a kind of small,red bump. Lately there have been bug in my grandma's house,they look like cockroaches but then again we think they are waterbugs! We think they get into the beds at night and bite us up but we are really not sure! Help Me Please~!

Ask The Exterminator
14 Jul 2008, 11:23

A roach bite is like other insect bites in that it can swell, itch and even become infected. That said, cockroach bites almost never actually occur. A cockroach goes for easy food and a human is NOT easy food. They will attack a corpse, but that would leave you out since you are still functioning as you read and write these emails. I would look for another insect source in your bed rather than cockroaches unless, of course, your bed is chock full of roaches.

Tony
07 Oct 2008, 08:36

Mr. Exterminator,
I have an unusual situtation on my hands and cannot seem to get a straight answer could you assist please? Just briefly, I was given a mattress cover/comforter set as a gift for my birthday. The set was purchased at a Target Store. I proceeded to strip my bed and completely cleaned and discard the old bedding and got ready for the new. I put the new bedding on and it looked great but that night I awoke at 2am only to experience severe itching and welts on the part of my body that had been in contact with the bed! ouch! I immediately looked for telltale signs of insects but found none. I immediately drew myself an epson salt bath to help relieve the itch. then stripped the bed and quartined the mattress cover /comforter and went out the following morning to purchase a "MADE IN USA" Cover. I haven't had the problem since! didn't have it before the Target "Made in China" cover was put on and still don't have it with the USA cover on. I did have to seek medical attention for this bites on my torso and legs but can't find the culprets.the cover is still in the bag can you be of help as too what had bit me all up?
AJS~Orlando

Ask the Exterminator
07 Oct 2008, 08:50

Impossible for me to say what caused the problem without inspecting the items. Two things come to mind, however. Allergic reaction to the materials in the imported product, or the product may have been infested with some type of mites, depending upon what, where, how the product was made.

If you think the comforter set was infested you can have your local County Extension Agent look at it to see if they are able to discover any insects.

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