We get asked this question from time to time. If you are sweeping your floors or vacuuming the carpet and you see a dead roach on more than one occasion, it could mean something is afoot.
One or two dead roaches doesn’t really mean anything because it could be a lone straggler that made its way in to die. or maybe a pet brought it in. But if you see 2 or more dead roaches, especially over a period of time, then you may have an issue.
We asked pest control in Melbourne, FL what exactly this may mean, and this is what they said. “Finding multiple dead roaches over a period of time can mean one of two things:
1) Your pest control efforts are paying off and roaches are dying.
2) If you don’t have any form of pest control, this means you likely have an infestation“
They went on to say that the sooner you tend to the issue the better. This is because a single female roach can lay thousands of eggs per year. It can develop into a serious situation that you wish you took more seriously from the jump.
Roaches hide in cracks and crevices in your home. This includes crawl spaces, attics, walls, spaces between the dishwasher and cabinets, basically anywhere. They wait until you are fast asleep, and they scavenge. They consume water and any food particles no matter how small. They also track bacteria and viruses all over the surfaces you touch every day. The list is actually quite shocking.
Bacteria Carried by Cockroaches
Cockroaches can harbor numerous bacteria, including foodborne pathogens and antibiotic-resistant strains, which can contaminate food, utensils, or surfaces. Common bacteria include:
Salmonella spp. (e.g., Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Salmonella Typhimurium)
- Causes salmonellosis (food poisoning) and typhoid fever.
- Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps; typhoid can be life-threatening.
Escherichia coli (E. coli, including E. coli O157:H7)
- Causes food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and severe diarrheal illnesses.
- Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, sometimes hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Shigella spp. (e.g., Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri)
- Causes shigellosis (bacillary dysentery).
- Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps.
Staphylococcus aureus
- Causes food poisoning and skin infections (e.g., boils, abscesses).
- Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; severe cases can affect blood or organs.
Streptococcus spp.
- Causes infections ranging from strep throat to severe systemic infections.
- Symptoms: Sore throat, fever, or more serious conditions like pneumonia.
Bacillus cereus
- Causes food poisoning with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Can cause infections in wounds, lungs, or urinary tract, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Known to multiply in cockroach guts over time.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Causes pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and hospital-acquired infections.
- Often multidrug-resistant, posing a significant health risk.
Campylobacter jejuni
- Causes campylobacteriosis, a common foodborne illness.
- Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, cramps, fever.
Listeria monocytogenes
- Causes listeriosis, a serious infection from contaminated food.
- Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, miscarriage in pregnant women.
Yersinia pestis (suspected)
- Causes plague, though cockroaches are not primary vectors.
- Symptoms: Fever, swollen lymph nodes, potentially fatal if untreated.
Mycobacterium leprae (suspected)
- Causes leprosy, potentially spread through cockroach feces.
- Symptoms: Skin lesions, nerve damage, long incubation period.
Citrobacter spp.
- Associated with urinary tract infections and other opportunistic infections.
- Commonly isolated from cockroaches in hospital settings.
Enterobacteriaceae family (various species)
- Includes multiple pathogenic bacteria like Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Proteus.
- Often multidrug-resistant, especially in hospital environments.
Viruses Carried by Cockroaches
Cockroaches are less commonly associated with viruses than bacteria, but they can still carry and transmit certain viruses, particularly through fecal-oral routes or surface contamination. Notable viruses include:
Rotavirus
- Leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children globally.
- Responsible for significant pediatric hospitalizations in developing countries.
Hepatitis A Virus
- Causes liver inflammation and jaundice.
- Transmitted via contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B Virus
- Detected in cockroaches in some studies, though transmission is less clear.
- Causes chronic liver infections.
Norovirus
- Causes acute gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea.
- Detected in cockroaches in food-related environments.
Sapovirus
- Similar to norovirus, causes gastroenteritis.
- Highest detection rate among viruses in some cockroach studies.
Astrovirus
- Causes diarrheal illness, especially in children.
- Found in cockroaches in food-related settings.
Poliovirus (Poliomyelitis virus)
- Causes polio, a paralytic disease.
- Found in cockroach digestive systems after consuming contaminated material.
SARS-CoV-2 (inconclusive)
Some studies suggest cockroaches may carry SARS-CoV-2 in crowded environments like hotels or hospitals, but evidence is preliminary and not conclusive.