As these cockroach allergens are picked up in the air and breathed into your lungs, they trigger a response from your immune system. Now you may be experiencing symptoms of a cockroach allergy. This includes coughing, nasal congestion, skin rash, wheezing, ear infection, and sinus infection.
They can also make asthma worse and cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive. The allergens produced by cockroaches are likely concentrated in their fecal matter and in fragments of their body parts. These tiny particles can become airborne and contaminate the air in your home.
If you suspect that you have a cockroach allergy, see an allergist, who can conduct a skin test. This test involves applying a diluted allergen to the surface of your skin, waiting about 15 minutes, then observing to see if there's a reaction, such as a raised, red and itchy bump.
Cockroaches carry a host of diseases
If you touch a cockroach, you risk becoming infected with some serious diseases, including bacteria that cause dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, cockroaches commonly transmit these diseases to humans: Salmonellosis. Typhoid Fever.
The thing was, there were no such documented cases. After all, cockroach eggs cannot survive inside a human's mouth. It has been an urban legend all along.
“It's actually not an uncommon phenomenon to have a cockroach in the ear,” says entomologist Coby Schal of North Carolina State University. “The nose is more unusual.” Why so many roaches? “Roaches are searching for food everywhere,” Schal says.
Cockroaches seek places where they can find ample food. Food crumbs, spills, leftovers, and pet food are the most common food sources. Kitchen trash and grease on stovetops and countertops can be inviting for roaches, and they may also get into stored food items.
Boric acid is a powerful natural home remedy for getting rid of roaches overnight. Mix equal amounts of boric acid, flour, and sugar until it becomes a dough-like consistency. Place small pieces where the roaches can feed on them.
Roach Repellents
Peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these insects hate the smell of crushed bay leaves and steer clear of coffee grounds. If you want to try a natural way to kill them, combine powdered sugar and boric acid.
You may be wondering: "I saw one cockroach, should I be worried?" If you spot even one roach during the daytime, it can mean the infestation has been going on for some time or that it has progressed to the point where drastic action must be taken immediately.
Australian cockroaches can carry Salmonella and other germs. You certainly do not want these insects to love your cooking and to colonize your home. They can also damage plants when cool temperatures force them into a confined space such as a nursery.
It's a fact that cockroaches are afraid of humans and other mammals or animals that are bigger than them. They see us as predators and that fear triggers their instinct to scatter away. However, they dislike strong and distinctive scents such as citrus, peppermint, lavender and vinegar.
Cockroaches occasionally crawl on people when they're sleeping. However, roaches do not really like to be around people, even when they're asleep, for fear of getting smashed. Thus, you probably won't get a roach in your bed unless you have a large infestation.
Cockroaches in food can cause second-hand poisoning
If you consume this poison second-hand through a cockroach, you could be in danger. The more so if you consume the entire pest by accident. Keep an eye out for poisoning symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, lack of concentration, and stomach pain.
Yes, it is possible for cockroaches to lay eggs in your ear – and not only this – cockroaches can spread a number of diseases that can affect humans.
In cockroaches, air enters the body through their spiracles. Spiracles are external openings found in some animal species such as insects. The function of spiracles is linked to respiration, helping oxygen to reach internal respiratory organs, such as tracheae in insects where the gaseous exchange takes place.
Cockroaches are active throughout the year with peak season during the warm summer months.
It might be difficult to believe, but the cockroach might be the “cleanest” species of insect.
Females have an estimated adult lifespan of 180 days, while males have an adult lifespan of about 160 days. Cockroaches are one of the oldest living insects on the planet. Their life cycle plays an important role in their ability to survive and populate the earth.
You may love the smell of fresh citrus, but cockroaches hate the scent. That means you can use citrus scented cleaners in your kitchen and bathroom to chase any lingering roaches away. You can also keep a few citrus peels around your home in strategic places.
Scents that are pleasing to humans can actually repel cockroaches. In the kitchen, certain aromas such as cinnamon, bay leaves, garlic, peppermint, and coffee grounds can be used as deterrents. In the bathroom and garage, using strong-smelling disinfectants like vinegar or bleach can help keep these pests at bay.
White vinegar is often recommended as a natural way to get rid of roaches. Unfortunately, it doesn't actually kill these problem insects. It's more of a cleaning tool than anything else, and it won't actually help eliminate your roach problem.