Cockroaches are one of the most common species of pest in Florida. During some points of the year, it’s estimated that up to 90% of the houses in Florida house at least one cockroach. But today we’re going to talk about more than just that. We’ll go over the species of roach you can find down here. Sure, we’ll even talk about some of the places where you can find them. But we’ll focus on the main question today: do cockroaches bite people?
Do Cockroaches Bite: Overview
Living with pests in your house is stressful. Knowing that every time you go to sleep that you can have something crawl on you is just…unsettling. But if you add a biting pest to that scenario, then things suddenly get even worse. Bed bugs, for example, bite you to drink your blood. But it’s not the only pest that can bite. Cockroaches can too!
Typically, cockroaches don’t bite you in an attempt to eat you. That’s not to say that it’s impossible, however! Biting with the goal of consumption has been recorded behavior from cockroaches on both living and dead human beings. However, that is not the norm. Cockroach bites aren’t exactly the same as the bites of other bugs. They target specific areas of the body. Usually, a cockroach bite will occur in places like the face, hands, mouth, lips, and fingers. That’s mostly due to the fact that a cockroach will only try and bite or eat a human if they have to. They prefer starchy, greasy, and sweet foods. If you get bit by a cockroach, there’s a good chance that they were simply eating crumbs off of your body and got a bit overzealous.
Do cockroach bites hurt?
Okay, so now that we know the answer to the question do cockroaches bite, let’s look into what to expect on the feeling end of the equation! And honestly, this seems to be a matter for debate. Obviously, people have different pain tolerances, but it seems that roach bites are described as a pinching sensation or a sharp pain. The pain from the bite shouldn’t last for more than a few seconds, however, and many people wouldn’t even feel a roach bite them at all.
However, infections and allergic reactions to cockroach bites are not unheard of. Cockroaches are not clean creatures, and they’re excellent vectors for human diseases. They can easily carry bacteria, germs, and allergens through their excrement, saliva, and vomit which can easily enter a wound and cause you to become sick. There is a massive list of diseases that are carried in the spit of cockroaches, but some of the highlights are Staph, polio, and dysentery.
What kind of cockroaches live in florida?
Well, in Florida there are three roaches you’re likely to run into before anything else. Let’s talk about two natives, and then an invasive species. And the one we’ll start with is the ever famous palmetto bug.
Described as squat and beetle-like, this is the true bearer of the famous name. They’re most famous for living in high up places. In fact, their penchant for nesting in palm trees and plants is where the name palmetto bug comes from in the first place! They also are famous for releasing a nasty odor. Are the cockroaches bad in Florida? You bet! And they release horrible odors to deter your efforts of getting rid of them!
These roaches are wingless and stout, and from above almost look like a sort of tiny armored vehicle. They have yellow stripes along their sides sometimes as well. But the biggest thing to distinguish this species is the stench, armor, and lack of wings.
Thankfully, these weird little bugs aren’t really home infesters. They love to eat fallen plant material and decaying wood. Chances are if you go out and overturn some old wood in your garden, you’ll see at least a few of these guys. They’re not well adapted for the indoors, so if you see them inside it’s likely either a mistake or a shelter situation. I’d recommend catching them in a little cup and setting them back outside, frankly!
American cockroaches
Up next we have one of the biggest giveaways that someone isn’t from Florida. Now, don’t feel bad, only like thirty percent of people here are! But American cockroaches are often called palmetto bugs by people from out of state. But this guy is really the heavyweight king of roaches in North America.
These are huge, reddish-brown bugs that can reach up to three inches in length. They have six spiny legs, and long, hair-like antennae that are as thin as your hair. On warm summer nights, make sure to leave your windows closed if your lights are on. Because these guys have wings too, and they’re NOT strong fliers. An open nighttime window in Florida is almost a guaranteed three inch roach buzzing into your home through the window!
Thankfully, these guys are also poorly adapted for indoor life. So if they do manage to get inside, you can expect a lighter infestation than the next contender on our list.
Do Cockroaches Bite: The German Cockroach
While too small to truly inflict damage with a bite, the German cockroach is one of the most destructive species you’ll find in Florida. These bugs are about half an inch long and is among the smallest in Florida. However, these are domestic roach species. That means they have lived alongside us for so long they’ve evolved specifically to live in human environments!
German cockroaches will multiply out of control within weeks of entering your home. They like dark and damp spaces, so the humid outdoors of Florida combined with that space under your sink make this an ideal living situation for this roach. These guys are like other species and are most active during the night. If you see a small, under an inch long adult cockroach fleeing in the night, chances are it’s a german cockroach. And while their bites may not be very damaging, an infestation certainly is! If you see these guys, get with a pro ASAP!
