We just moved into a row house one week ago. We've seen a roach casing and
three live ones in the evenings (the longer kind, about 2 inches). (We
unpacked quickly and clean the place.) No one was living here for a few
months before we moved in. Is this definitely a sign of a whole colony or
could it be just some that were used to having the place for themselves?
The other thing we've seen is mysterious white powder appearing on
things--floor, coach, a shirt, etc. Could this be in any way related to
roaches? Maybe a pesticide or something that someone else in the row of
homes has tried? I have appreciated all of your answers here. Thank you!
Wendy
Do Cockroaches Bite
Summary: All the cockroach species that are common invaders of homes are capable of biting people. Cockroach bites normally occur when the person is sleeping.
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
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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
Wendy
18 Jul 2009, 16:19
18 Jul 2009, 16:19
Ask the Exterminator
18 Jul 2009, 22:33
18 Jul 2009, 22:33
The large cockroach could be an American or a Wood roach. American's like
high heat and high humidity as found in a boiler room. So, I'm guessing
your roach is a Wood roach. However, the only way to be sure is to get one
properly identified. Any pest control company will do it for free if your
take them a specimen. It's importaant to know the roach species to
determine where they are nesting.
Terry
18 Jul 2009, 22:35
18 Jul 2009, 22:35
I sprayed Cyonara 9.7 in my house before I did my research on the best way
to eliminate roaches. I would like to use the MaxForce baits as you
suggest, but since I have already sprayed, how long do I need to wait
before I can use them?
Ask the Exterminator
18 Jul 2009, 22:37
18 Jul 2009, 22:37
The pesticide spray can repel roaches for several months. However, the
Maxforce can be put out in places where you did not apply the Cyonara.
Carolyn
27 Jul 2009, 18:07
27 Jul 2009, 18:07
I have a major infestation in my home.
It is some kind of roach. They are small, maybe half to three quarters of an inch and the babies are really small. We've had several pest control companies out and so far have only gotten rid of money, not roaches. Will the maxforce work for us and is there a specific bait trap for this type of roaches? You have mentioned breaking the triangle of food water and shelter, but how? I get the clean up after food part, but what else?
Thanks
It is some kind of roach. They are small, maybe half to three quarters of an inch and the babies are really small. We've had several pest control companies out and so far have only gotten rid of money, not roaches. Will the maxforce work for us and is there a specific bait trap for this type of roaches? You have mentioned breaking the triangle of food water and shelter, but how? I get the clean up after food part, but what else?
Thanks
Ask the Exterminator
27 Jul 2009, 20:44
27 Jul 2009, 20:44
The food part of the triangle can be grease on the side of the stove or at
the base of the wall behind the stove. The water part can be any leak or
standing water. The shelter part is usually clutter consisting of cardboard
boxes, grocery bags, piles of clothing, etc. Clean, neat and organized
beats a roach population down.
I don't know what your pest control companies are applying, but I will tell you that spraying pesticides over roach baits ruins the baits. The baits I suggest are Maxforce Magnum gel baits or Maxforce FC Roach Stations. You will need to learn where to position the baits to make them work.
I don't know what your pest control companies are applying, but I will tell you that spraying pesticides over roach baits ruins the baits. The baits I suggest are Maxforce Magnum gel baits or Maxforce FC Roach Stations. You will need to learn where to position the baits to make them work.
alianah
15 Aug 2009, 15:43
15 Aug 2009, 15:43
uhhh,i just wanted to ask if cock roaches,or roaches bite,cause ihave seen
some in my house ,and i have a bump bed,and it's made out of wood,and my
mom say's they are on my bed because they are attracted to wood,and i read
the information,and im even scared to sleep on my bed because of the
roaches,i have seen some on my bed,well they was on the wood part of my
bed,and i have seen some come out of my thing where i put my clothes in,and
i wanted to ask something....How do i get rid of them,and what do i
use?,please give me information,cause i hate to see them on y bed and every
wher.
alianah
15 Aug 2009, 15:45
15 Aug 2009, 15:45
anyways im a child ^
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Fran
22 Aug 2009, 18:36
22 Aug 2009, 18:36
My children and myself are currently living in a shelter and for the first
time in our lives also live with roaches. We have noticed on several
occasions little bubble like bumps that hurt when messed with. Are these
things roach bites and what can we do to minimize these unwanted bugs?
Tassie
26 Aug 2009, 03:51
26 Aug 2009, 03:51
I recently moved into a new apt and have seen up to 6 cockroaches inside
and in daylight. My landlord says he sprayed 2 times before we moved in but
we continue to see these German cockroaches. I have 2 bitemarks, one on my
knee and one on my stomach. They appeared after sleeping. We dont have bed
bugs, could it be from the cockroaches? We have seen 2 on our bed. We check
it every night before sleeping now and put tissue in our ears. How can we
get rid of them? I have a box of Borax but dont know what to do with it
exactly. We are afraid of moving as we might just bring them with us.
eeveretts@bellsouth.net
03 Sep 2009, 23:15
03 Sep 2009, 23:15
MY BROTHER HAS CANCER. HE HAS RED BUMPS/KNOTS ON HIS BACK. SOME LOOK
INFECTED. HIS HOME IS INFESTED WITH THE SMALLER TYPE OF ROACHES. THEY
CRAWL ALL OVER EVERYTHING. ON ME, ON HIM, BEDS, EVERYWHERE. I NEED TO
KNOW WHAT THEIR BITES LOOK LIKE. PLEASE HELP ME.
anonymous
11 Sep 2009, 20:24
11 Sep 2009, 20:24
i just had to get on here to let my boyfriend know that cockroaches do
bite
allyson
21 Sep 2009, 15:04
21 Sep 2009, 15:04
We moved into a house that has a bad cockroach infestation...from what I
can tell it looks like there are more than one kind. Some of them are the
lighter reddish brown colored ones, and some are a little shorter, and dark
brown. When we first moved in, the landlord recommended we use boric acid.
My husband sprinkled that stuff all over the place and it seemed to
supercharge them. We have tried all kind of baits, sprays, even the little
round discs. We keep our house neat and clean. Nothing we do seems to get
rid of them, and now since we have had our little girl home...I keep
noticing small red bumps on her face, sometimes around her neck and
shoulders. I know that the roaches are biting her and it is freaking me
out and making me feel ill. How can we get rid of these things and protect
our baby from their bites????
Trevor
22 Sep 2009, 12:36
22 Sep 2009, 12:36
I saw what looked like a cockroach on my ceiling. I went to hit it with a
broom and it just vanished. What kind of cockroach is this??? i need to
know very soon
Stacia
14 Oct 2009, 06:36
14 Oct 2009, 06:36
I was lying in bed, half asleep. I felt nothing on me, when my phone rang.
I raised my head from my pillow slightly and laid back down when I felt
what I thought was lint snagging a mole on my shoulder. I saw what looked
like a roach leg on my pillow where my shoulder was and found the rest of
him under my pillow. I went to sleep and eight hours later my shoulder was
swollen the size of a golf ball and my chest area near my armpit was too.
I can't lay on it, raise my arm, wear a bra or scratch my other arm and
wearing sleeves irritates it as well as wearing my hair down. I thought I
had gotten bit by a spider. WTF???
no one
28 Oct 2009, 02:40
28 Oct 2009, 02:40
Hi I live in FL and roaches are common in houses what we do down here is
Shower Powder and or Baking Soda I find the Shower Powder works better and
smells better it has Baking Soda in it and Lavondor in it as well which is
a natural bug killer I put it all over the floor tile and carpet let it set
do not suck it up with a vac I also will put a little in the air filter of
my home and turn on the air so the vents get full of it but dont use to
much you dont wanna mess up the ac I havent seen one after that in awhile
but do keep in mind here in FL we will always have cockroaches they will be
back but not for long because I will do it again I do this about every 3
months and see dead ones everywhere after words so good lucks with using
little tricks of the south my friends
SHERRY
08 Nov 2009, 12:04
08 Nov 2009, 12:04
My husband and I are getting bit at night. I have spayed the bed,and
floor.It did not help.We can't find what is bitting us.WE do have roaches
Because we eat in our bed. what else can we do to get rid of what ever is
bitting us.