Cockroaches: How Dangerous Are They?

Most people take an instant dislike to the thought of cockroaches and they have a reputation for being associated with an unhealthy environment. With that level of notoriety, you would certainly be reaching out to a residential pest control company if you saw a cockroach in your home.

They look nasty and many have a negative perception of these bugs but just how dangerous are they?

Here’s a few things you should know about cockroaches.

Can you catch a disease from cockroaches?

Despite what many think about their ability to spread disease they are not often associated with disease outbreaks.

Although they are rarely associated with specific disease outbreaks, cockroaches do carry bacteria. Advice from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is that the bacteria carried by cockroaches can lead to health issues such as salmonella, streptococcus, and staphylococcus.

They also carry a threat as role carriers of a range of intestinal diseases. You could develop problems with diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera, when coming into contact with a cockroach, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Will a cockroach bite me?

You are not at threat of disease from a cockroach biting you. They don’t bite.

However, the way they could transmit a disease or create an infection is by scratching you with their leg spines. These spines can carry bacteria which is then passed on to you when they scratch your skin with their legs.

Indoor allergens are a real problem when cockroaches are present

Another compelling reason to call pest control if you see a cockroach in your home is the fact that they are one of the most common sources of indoor allergens.

It is understood that the enzymes present in their excrement can cause an allergic reaction in many humans, especially children. You can also get the same potential allergic reaction from exposure to the saliva of cockroaches and body parts that they have shed.

Some estimates suggest that cockroaches are present in more than 70% of US homes. It depends on the number of cockroaches that might be in your home when it comes to how at risk you are from developing an allergic reaction.

Any obvious signs of an infestation should be actioned immediately by calling a pest management company, especially if you have underlying health issues such as asthma to contend with, as this makes you more vulnerable if exposed to cockroaches.

Removing the threat of cockroaches from your home

An extermination professional will be able to deal with an infestation efficiently. They can also advise you on ways to help reduce the cockroach population by eliminating the sources of shelter, food, and water that allow them to thrive.

Sealing some entry points such as cracks in floors and walls is a good starting point. Fixing any leaky pipes would also be a smart move. It would also be a good idea to sweep away food crumbs regularly to discourage cockroaches from visiting.

As you can see cockroaches are a clear and present danger to health. To answer the original question about how dangerous they are, they might not bite, but they can deliver some nasty health risks.

If you see signs of cockroaches in your home, call a residential pest company to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible.