Are Cockroaches Dangerous? Cockroach Bites and Health Risks

Cockroaches rarely bite and they aren’t venomous. The real danger is what they carry: bacteria from drains and bins that they spread onto food and kitchen surfaces, and allergens in their droppings and shed skins that can trigger asthma and allergies, especially in children.

This guide, part of our cockroach guide, explains cockroach bites, the health risks for your family and pets, and how to lower them.

Do cockroaches bite?

Yes, but very rarely. Cockroaches avoid people and would rather run than bite. Bites are mostly reported in very heavy infestations where food is scarce, when cockroaches nibble at skin, fingernails or eyelashes of someone who is asleep. Both the German and oriental cockroach can bite, but in UK homes it almost never happens. See the types of cockroaches in the UK to check which one you have.

What does a cockroach bite look like?

A cockroach bite looks like a small, red, raised bump, much like any other insect bite. It may be slightly swollen and itchy for a few days. You can’t tell it apart from other bites just by looking. If you wake up with several bites in a line or a cluster, especially on your arms, neck or legs, bed bugs are the more likely cause; compare them with bed bug and flea bites.

Are cockroach bites dangerous?

No. Cockroach bites aren’t venomous or poisonous, and they don’t pass on diseases. The main risk is infection if the bite is scratched. Keep it clean, and see your GP if it becomes hot, swollen or painful, or if you have a reaction.

Can a cockroach bite kill you?

No. A cockroach bite is a small nip that heals on its own. No cockroach found in the UK is venomous.

Can cockroaches make you ill? Diseases and food poisoning

Yes. Cockroaches don’t spread illness by biting but by what they walk through. They feed in drains, sewers and bins, then crawl over worktops, plates and open food at night, leaving bacteria behind on their legs, bodies and droppings. The bacteria they carry include Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus, which can cause food poisoning and stomach upsets.

The risk is highest where cockroaches have direct access to food: open packets, crumbs, pet bowls and dirty dishes left out overnight. Oriental cockroaches that come up from drains and sinks are especially likely to bring bacteria in with them.

Cockroach allergies and asthma

For most people, allergies are the biggest health risk. Cockroach droppings, saliva, shed skins and dead bodies contain proteins that break down into fine dust and mix with household dust. Breathing it in can cause:

• sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes
• coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks
• itchy skin or a rash where cockroaches or their droppings touched it

The longer an infestation lasts, the more allergen builds up, and it stays in the home after the cockroaches are gone until it’s cleaned away. If you or your child have asthma or allergy symptoms that get worse at home, see your GP. Our article on pests that can trigger allergies covers other common causes.

Are cockroaches dangerous to babies and children?

Babies and young children are more at risk than adults. They crawl on floors where droppings and allergens settle, put hands and toys in their mouths, and are more likely to develop asthma from long-term exposure. Keep floors and play areas clean, store baby food and bottles in sealed containers, and wash any feeding items that may have been left out overnight.

Are cockroaches dangerous to dogs and cats?

A dog or cat that eats a cockroach is usually fine, though it may get a stomach upset. The bigger risk is cockroach killer: gel baits, traps and sprays can harm pets if eaten. Place baits where pets can’t reach, follow the label, and call your vet if your pet seems unwell after eating a cockroach or a bait. Don’t leave pet food out overnight, as it attracts cockroaches.

What happens if a cockroach touches you?

Nothing serious. A cockroach running over your skin won’t hurt you, but it can leave bacteria behind. Wash the area with soap and water, especially before eating or touching food, and clean any cut it may have crawled over.

Is it safe to sleep with a cockroach in your room?

Yes. A single cockroach in a bedroom is very unlikely to bite or crawl on you, as cockroaches stay away from people and light. Don’t eat in bed, keep food out of bedrooms, and if you keep seeing them at night, check the rest of the home for an infestation.

How to lower the health risks

• Protect food: keep it in sealed containers, wipe up crumbs and spills, and don’t leave dishes or pet bowls out overnight.
• Clean up safely: wear gloves to clear droppings, dead cockroaches and egg cases, wipe surfaces with hot soapy water, and vacuum with a filter so you don’t spread dust.
• Cut off water: fix leaks and dry sinks and baths at night.
• Deal with the infestation: check for the signs of a cockroach infestation and follow our guide on how to get rid of cockroaches.

If there are children, someone with asthma or a food business involved, it’s safer to have it treated quickly. Book our cockroach pest control service from £184 or call 020 3746 2723