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We all get the occasional bites from familiar biting bugs such as bed bugs, mosquitoes, ticks or mites, but what about cockroach bite? To protect yourself from a cockroach bite, firstly you have to prevent cockroaches from breeding and staying in your home. They are mainly 3 types of cockroach species in Singapore and they are the American cockroach, German cockroach and Brown-banded cockroach. Get to learn symptoms of a roach bite and why cockroaches can be dangerous with us in the below.
Read also: How do you know if you have a cockroach infestation?
Do cockroach actually bite humans?
Cockroaches actually do bite you (usually around the eyelids, mouth, hands and feet where food residue may be found), and may cause irritation, swelling, lesions and minor wound infections. However, they are unlikely to bite aggressively, unless it’s a serious infestation where cockroach population is large and food sources are limited.
Protect yourself from cockroach bites
To learn how to protect yourself from a cockroach bite, firstly you need to assess whether is your home at risk of a cockroach infestation?
- Is your home dark and humid? Cockroaches like these environments and require basic survival – food, water and shelter
- Have you done diligent housekeeping? Guilt of poorly maintained home, exposed and undisposed trash and traces of uncovered food or remains
- When was the last time you check your home structure? Gaps, cracks, crevices and even pipes are many ways cockroaches slip into your home invited.
- Are you watering your home? Water spills and leaks from pipes, washing or watering activities or poor lifestyle habits encourage cockroach breeding. In fact, they can survive up to two weeks without water! Read more on where cockroaches live.
You may also like: Do cockroach baits and traps work?
Symptoms of a roach bite
- Red, itchy bumps that are slightly larger than mosquito bites - It may swell up a little larger but likely no risk except for allergic reactions and infections in worse cases.
- Skin rashes and redness similar to other insect bites - It’s crucial to avoid scratching them, otherwise, you risk aggravating the condition and cause skin infections.
- Clusters of bumps aside from swelling and rashes - In some cases, cockroach bites can also cause clusters of bumps at the site of the bite. If you are concerned about the bites and reactions you may have, you should seek medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cockroach Infestation
How do I manage with a cockroach bite wound?
Most likely to occur around the mouth, hands and fingers, cockroach bites look like small red, inflamed bumps that can be itchy. If you suspect that you have been bitten by a cockroach, wash the area with warm soap water to clean it and ice with a cold compress to bring down the inflammation. If it continues to swell or develops into an infection, please visit a doctor to seek medical treatment.
What other pests are capable in biting humans?
Besides mosquitoes and bed bugs, some examples of pests that are capable of biting humans include rodents (mice and rats) and ants (particularly fire ants). Flying insects such as bees, hornets and wasps that are capable of stinging and while ticks stick onto host to suck for blood. There are other pests capable of biting but very rarely do so including cockroaches, house lizards, spiders and birds.
How do cockroach bites occur among individuals?
Cockroaches rarely bite humans unless their food sources are very limited. This often happens in cases of extreme cockroach infestations whereby their food runs out and they are compelled to look for other food sources that they do not usually eat. Consequently, it is crucial to ensure that your premises are not breeding grounds for a cockroach infestation by keeping it clean at all times. It will also be in your best interests to engage a professional pest control service in Singapore once you spot signs of an infestation as they can provide the right solutions to tackle such a situation.
Do cockroaches bite in the day or night time?
Being nocturnal creatures, cockroaches are more likely to bite you at night - especially while you are sleeping. However, they do appear in the daytime, when this happens, it could mean your premise is undergoing a heavy cockroach infestation where they are in need of food supplies.
Are cockroach bites harmful and dangerous?
Cockroach bites are not dangerous, as they do not spread diseases - unlike mosquito bites where it can cause dengue. Nevertheless, cockroaches are unhygienic and their bites carry germs and bacteria that may end up causing harm including infections and allergies if you do not treat the bite wounds adequately and promptly.
What should I do if I have a cockroach infestation at home?
While there are DIY methods, they are often short-term solutions that will not get rid of cockroaches completely. The best course of action would be to contact a pest control company in Singapore as they are equipped to provide the right treatments that will eliminate a cockroach infestation. In addition, you should step up your housekeeping and sanitation regime while increasing proofing around the home to seal up entries and openings for cockroaches to enter.
Why are cockroaches dangerous to you and your family?
They carry diseases and bacteria
Cockroaches spread diseases as they crawl and leave behind bacteria and germs with traces of their urine, feces and regurgitated saliva. These excrements contain harmful agents such as E.coli and salmonella that can cause urinary tract infections, typhoid, sepsis, and digestive problems.
They can cause allergies and asthma
Excrements which cockroaches leave behind also consist of allergens that can trigger allergy symptoms such as rashes, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. They also shed off parts of their body that contain proteins and allergens, another cause of allergy and asthma risks.
They result in food contamination
Unlike other pests, cockroaches don’t transmit diseases directly. Instead, they contaminate food supply and surfaces they come across. An infected surface may later become the source of the disease and food that’s contaminated can result to severe food poisoning.
What? An ear invasion?
Cockroaches surface at night when we sleep. Sometimes, they may wander into our ears where it’s warm and humid. What attract them are the chemicals our ears secrete called volatile fatty acids. They tend to get stuck in our ear, and eventually cause ear infection.
We all need a peace of mind...
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Effective treatment - "Good service. I had terrible problem of cockroaches but after I used Rentokil this has been resolved. There was reduction in their numbers from first spray and after the third spray it was almost nil. No more problem of cockroaches now at my place!"
- Mr Kumar, Residential Customer
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