Do Cockroaches Bite Humans?

Roaches are already one of the most hated pests in NYC. They seem to be able to get in anywhere, they spread bacteria, they can cause breathing problems, and they are notoriously hard to get rid of. In fact, in terms of all the concerns you may have when cockroaches infest your home, the one thing you do not have to worry about are bites from roaches.

Cockroaches in NYC almost never bite. The number of documented cases is extremely small, and while a bite may not be impossible, it is unlikely that any bite-like sores you have noticed on your skin are the result of roaches. These insects simply do not have mouthparts strong enough to pierce human skin, and they do not feed on blood or flesh that would prompt them to take a bite out of you.

Instances Where Roaches Might Bite

Cockroaches feed on decaying organic material. It is one of the reasons they are considered gross. But it also means they are not attracted to you.

The few documented instances of cockroach bites were in inhumane and unsanitary conditions like tenement housing, prisons and war hospitals, and antique sailing ships. Even in these cases, the cockroach population needs to be large and other sources of food will be scarce. The average home or business in NYC has plenty of trash and crumbs available for roaches, so the insects will not usually go after people or pets.

In the rare cases where roaches have bitten people, they most often go after sources of decaying cells such as:

• Eyelashes
• Toenails
• Callused Skin
• Dead Skin Cells
• Open Wounds

Even in these cases, the bite is not typically able to harm a human.

However, cockroaches do not need to bite in order to cause bumps and sores. Instead of bites, roaches can cause a rash that often resembles a bite. This rash develops as an allergic reaction to the oils cockroaches have on their skins, and can be red, itchy, and have raised bumps (hives), similar to other insect bites.

Just because roaches do not bite does not mean they cannot spread disease in other ways. Roaches feed on decaying matter, and will often travel through trash, sewer pipes, and other locations where bacteria is present. This bacteria can then cling to the roaches, and transfer to other surfaces via their skin and droppings.

If you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your eyes or mouth, or eat food that has come into contact with roaches, you may accidentally ingest the bacteria and cause a range of illnesses.

The bacterial and allergy risks of roaches makes it important to get rid of cockroaches as soon as possible with help from a licensed pest control company in NYC. Whether you are worried about roach bites or simply the roaches themselves, contact 24 Hour Pest Control to exterminate roaches fast.