Do German roaches bite? If they do, what are the side effects and how can one prevent such bites?
For a lot of people, roaches are considered creepy creatures.
The reason for this isn’t far-fetched; roaches spread a wide range of diseases. Known diseases spread by these critters include diarrhea, salmonella, giardia, dysentery, gastroenteritis, leprosy, and listeriosis.
More roach-related diseases include campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, and cholera. Now, you’re likely to have heard about German roach bites and wonder if such is true.
In this article, you’ll be learning about German roach bites and the risks posed among other things. If you suspect being bitten by these pests, you’ll want to read through this article for tips on what actions to take.
About German Roaches
Before getting into details about their bites, it’s necessary to have an overview of German roaches. While the name might sound misleading, German roaches are among the most common roach species in the United States.
They’re also among the most difficult to deal with.
German roaches are typically tiny and can easily fit into tight spaces. Because they seek out hiding spaces to nest, German roaches are hardly noticed until existing infestations worsen.
These roaches pose a nightmare to many homeowners who find it difficult to deal with active infestations.
When these roaches find their way into your home, they seek suitable areas which are those with moisture, warmth, and food.
Unfortunately, your kitchen offers all of these conditions, thus serving as a favorable nesting site. With this said, let’s shift our focus to German roach bites.
Do German Roaches Bite?
One of the first questions we’ll need to answer is whether German roaches bite.
The answer is simple; German roaches do bite. Now, most biting pests are known to feed on blood and do so to draw blood. Does that apply to German roaches?
Not at all! First off, German roaches are omnivorous creatures.
This means they feed on both animal and plant matter. They’re attracted to human hosts when seeking to feed. German roaches will feed on dead skin, fingernails, and eyelashes.
These are found in abundance in humans. Of course, most bites happen when people are fast asleep.
As roaches nibble on dead skin on feet and hands (which are common targets for these pests), as well as fingernails and eyelashes, such activity results in bites.
Affected persons are likely to find bite symptoms that include lesions, swelling, minor infections, and irritations.
German Roaches Rarely Bite
Another fact you need to know about German roaches is that they rarely bite. Most times, these pests are content with feeding off of food crumbs around your kitchen.
That’s enough food supply for them. However, these could bite when threatened or when nibbling at dead skin, eyelashes, or food residue on your body.
Can German Roach Bites be distinguished from those of Other Pests?
When you notice a bump or bite sign on your skin, there’s a need to know the kind of bite you’re dealing with. In other words, you need to know the cause of the bite.
To identify the pest responsible for the bite, you’ll need to know what German roach bites look like.
One of the easiest ways will be spotting these pests as they scurry to safety. However, that’s highly unlikely as German roaches are most active at night when you sleep.
So, you’re likely to be fast asleep when they strike. Your best bet of identifying their bite is by looking at the size of the bite area.
Bites from German roaches tend to be larger compared to those from bed bugs, fleas, mosquitoes, etc. You’ll notice that the bitten area is itchy and forms a bright red bump.
Remember we said irritations may be experienced with possible infections which could form pus.
What To Do When Bitten by German Roaches
One of the first signs of German roach bites is itchiness and swollen skin. Now, most people will want to scratch the area to reduce the itch.
However, experience has shown this is a bad move to make as it could worsen the situation. If you’re dealing with such itchiness, you only need to do a number of things;
Avoid scratching and simply have the area washed with soap and water. This helps get rid of any germs, allergens, or bacteria around the area.
When a German roach bite leads to a swollen patch, all you have to do is address the skin inflammation. Applying some ice to the area can help provide some relief.
Another action to take when bitten by a German roach is the application of alcohol around the bite area. This goes a long way to reduce any inflammation, infection, and swelling.
Persons with severe allergies may have to seek professional medical advice and treatment.
Preventing German Roach Bites
Prevention of German roach bites involves a whole lot of actions that include tackling active infestations and also adopting preventive treatment.
Of these two, preventive control seems to be the best approach as it makes your home less inviting to these pests.
Properly implementing preventive control includes eliminating potential food sources. Here, every tiny food crumb will need to be cleared and the area mopped.
You’ll have to do the dishes before going to bed and clean up the dining and kitchen countertops and cookers after each meal.
Proper storage of food is also necessary. Airtight containers help prevent these pests from chewing through food packaging. Have your trashcan emptied every day and kept clean.
Another preventive action includes the removal of standing water and fixing of leaky plumbing fixtures.
Clean and de-clutter your surroundings regularly to make them less attractive to German roaches. Over-the-counter insecticides are always available to apply around your home.
All you have to do is get one and apply as instructed.
Contacting Professional Pest Control Services
One of the ways to deal with German roach presence is to call for scheduled treatment in your home.
This offers comprehensive solutions to homeowners, thereby helping to reduce cases of German roach bites to the barest minimum.
Although German roach bites aren’t so common, it’s a situation you want to avoid by taking appropriate actions. Apart from their bites, the presence of these pests exposes you to a whole range of health risks as discussed earlier.
Hello! My name is Oluwasegun, and I am the founder of SafeandSanitaryHomes.org.
As a young boy who grew up in the suburbs, my family had a green lawn. I actively cared for this and maintained hedges and trees.
I’ve also grown into a DIY enthusiast for cleaning tasks and home improvements. As an expert animal healthcare provider, I also discuss tips to help you combat pests.
I’m happy to share my experience and hope you find it helpful.