Menu

SafetyLow risk

Do Cockroaches Bite?

Written by PestMan Editorial TeamTechnical review pendingPublished Updated

Quick answer

Cockroaches very rarely bite people. They are scavengers, not blood feeders, and bites have only been reported occasionally in very heavy infestations. The real health concerns are contamination of food and surfaces and allergens from droppings and shed skins, which can trigger asthma. If you are waking up with itchy bites, bed bugs, fleas or mosquitoes are far more likely.

Why this happens

Cockroaches have chewing mouthparts and will eat almost anything, including crumbs, grease, paper, soap and dead insects. They are not aggressive and avoid people, so bites are uncommon. The rare reported bites usually involve very large indoor populations where food is scarce, with cockroaches nibbling at food residue on the skin of sleeping people.

The bigger issue is what cockroaches carry. They move between drains, rubbish and food areas, and can spread bacteria onto benches, dishes and food. Their droppings, saliva and shed skins contain allergens that can trigger asthma and allergies, particularly in children. See are cockroaches dangerous.

What you may be seeing

  • Itchy bites in a line or cluster after sleeping: more likely bed bugs.
  • Small itchy bites around the ankles, especially with pets in the house: more likely fleas.
  • Bites on exposed skin after time outdoors at dusk: more likely mosquitoes.
  • Many cockroaches visible in daylight, including small ones: a heavy infestation that needs attention whether or not anyone has been bitten.

What you can do

  • Work out what is causing any bites before treating for anything; the cause changes the solution.
  • Clean and cover a bite, and see a doctor if it becomes red, swollen or painful, or shows signs of infection.
  • Reduce cockroach food and water: wipe benches at night, store food in sealed containers and fix leaks.
  • Wash dishes before bed, and keep food out of bedrooms.
  • If you see small cockroaches, check whether they are German cockroaches breeding indoors.

When professional help may be needed

A heavy indoor cockroach infestation, especially one where cockroaches are seen in bedrooms or during the day, is worth professional help. For unexplained bites, identify the cause first; a doctor can advise on the bites themselves.

Cockroaches

Fast, flat-bodied insects that hide in warm, damp gaps and come out at night to feed. A few introduced species cause most household problems in Australia.

Species mentioned

German Cockroach

Blattella germanica

A small, light-brown cockroach that lives and breeds indoors, mostly in kitchens and bathrooms. It reproduces faster than any other household cockroach and is the species most often behind persistent indoor infestations.

Guide

The Australian Guide to Cockroaches

Everything an Australian household needs to know about cockroaches: which species you are seeing, why they are there, how they get in, the health implications, and how to prevent and manage them.

Guide

How to Pest-Proof Your Home

A practical, room-by-room approach to reducing pests without relying on chemicals: remove what attracts them, close the ways in, and make your property less comfortable for them.

Guide

Common Brisbane Household Pests

A Brisbane-specific overview of the pests residents meet most often, when they are active, and what the subtropical climate, storms, creeks and Queenslander homes mean for pest pressure.

Still have a question?

Ask PestMan. We’ll show you any answers we already have — and if we don’t have one yet, your question helps decide what we answer next.

Sources & further reading

PestMan provides general information only and does not replace licensed pest-management, medical, veterinary or structural advice. Always read and follow product labels. Read our disclaimer.