Although cockroaches are among the most resilient and often dreaded pests, they still have been sharing our living space for centuries. Their presence is often linked with a lack of cleanliness and food availability.
Besides the potential health hazards posed by roaches, they also produce strong and unpleasant smells infested areas which makes the life of human beings quite troublesome. The scent of cockroaches also has adverse effects.
This blog will provide insight into the causes of this smell, its potential health hazards, and ways to overcome it. Let’s dive into the details.
Understanding Cockroach Smell
The smell of cockroaches is a clear sign of roach infestations. This smell is quite unpleasant, and irritating, and affects air quality. The smell of roaches can be associated with factors such as:
Pheromones
Pheromones are chemicals that provide a highly efficient chemical coordination system to cockroaches. They are known to play an important role in regulating the behavior and reproduction of roaches thus ensuring their survival. These chemicals aid in communication as each strain of the cockroach produces its specific odor.
The research published in the Journal of Animal Behavior shows that the smell of each strain helps in the congregation of the members of that strain to common places. This aids the roaches in locating the members of their community. Pheromones are also released to locate and mark the path to food sources. They also attract potential partners for mating.
Excretions and Waste
The distinct and unpleasant smell of cockroaches is also attributed to their excretory materials. While feeding on dead matter, garbage, etc, roaches release waste materials. These materials contain undigested food, bacteria, and organic compounds which cause a strong odor, especially in closed areas. The smell is also linked to the droppings left by the roaches to mark trails and safe zones. With time the buildup of these products makes the smell more noticeable and difficult to tolerate.
Decomposition of Dead Cockroaches
Just like all other living organisms, the bodies of dead cockroaches also decompose. During this process, the body elements are broken down by decomposers leading to the release of several chemicals. These chemicals collectively contribute to the unpleasant odor of roaches. The condition usually gets worse if the dead cockroaches accumulate in hidden or hard-to-reach areas.
Health Risks Associated with Cockroach Smell
Besides being unpleasant, the smell of roaches is responsible for making people sick by triggering the aggravation of several health issues due to the presence of certain compounds. These include:
Allergic Reactions
The remains of roaches in any form contain certain allergens responsible for triggering allergic reactions causing the sickening of humans. These reactions are usually caused by prolonged exposure to roach smell. The symptoms of these reactions include sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes, nasal congestion, etc.
Asthma Triggers
The smell of cockroaches usually makes people sick by causing respiratory distress in asthma patients. The inhaling of allergens released by roaches causes worsening of asthma symptoms. According to a research study, high numbers of asthma attacks are reported in areas with high infestations of cockroaches especially in children. This study was published in 2018.
Nausea and Headaches
The strong and persistent smell of cockroaches can lead to nausea and headaches in sensitive individuals. The odor of cockroach feces and body parts contains certain chemicals that cause inflammation of the sinuses thus leading to headaches. The headache is further aggravated by stress and anxiety caused by roach infestations.
Disease Transmission
The smell indicates the presence of cockroaches but doesn’t directly transmit diseases. However, the particles of excretory products released by the roaches carry different viruses and bacteria like salmonella, E.Coli, dysentery, etc. These particles contaminate the food and water sources resulting in various health issues.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Condition
Exposure to cockroach odor has adverse effects on people having chronic health issues like respiratory and skin diseases, especially in old persons and infants. The roach allergens cause rashes and eczema in certain sensitive individuals. The allergens contributing to roach smell further aggravate the health condition of patients with compromised immune systems.
Psychological Impact
The smell of cockroaches can affect individuals psychologically by causing anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbance. Seeing the cockroaches stimulates the feeling of disgust and fear leading to a state of restlessness. The smell of cockroaches further enhances these negative feelings thus leading to psychological distress. Some sensitive individuals may develop phobias related to cleanliness.
Minimizing Health Risks from Cockroach Smell
The health risks associated with cockroach smell can be minimized by taking certain measures into account. These include:
Identification and Elimination of infestation
First of all, one must identify the root cause of the roach odor which is the roach infestation. Locate the potential breeding and feeding grounds of cockroaches to make the elimination effective. Prefer the elimination method that suits your conditions like using bait, professional roach sprays, and traps. For severe infestations, seek professional help. Clean out the areas like kitchen sinks, cabinets, and washrooms where roaches may seek refuge.
Increase Ventilation
Improve the ventilation system of the infested area to overcome the lingering roach smell. Open the windows, turn on the fans, and purify the air using HEPA filters to remove the harmful particles. Regularly clean the air ducts to prevent the buildup of particles that are potential carriers of roach allergens.
Use Natural Deodorizers and Disinfectants
Prefer using natural deodorizers and disinfectants like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils to neutralize the smell of roaches. These products are also helpful in controlling bacterial contamination linked to roach smell.
Regular Cleaning and Waste Disposal
To get rid of the unpleasant smell of cockroaches, one must maintain cleanliness in their surrounding environment. The removal and disposal of food particles, crumbs, and water sources help in controlling the infestation of cockroaches and thus their odor.
Seal Entry Points
Make sure to seal the potential entry points of cockroaches like small cracks, crevices, and gaps around the doors and windows. This will reduce the entry of roaches inside homes and also control the spread of their odor.
Conclusion
Although the smell of cockroaches has no direct involvement in spreading diseases, it is quite unpleasant, and disturbing and carries harmful particles that can cause health issues. The air of the infested area is contaminated with several bacteria and viruses which not only cause disease but also aggravate respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions.
To overcome the roaches’ smell, one must take certain measures. These include identification and elimination of infestations, better ventilation, and sealing of entry points of roaches. By following these guidelines, one can get rid of the abhorrent smell of cockroaches and enjoy breathing in fresh air.
FAQS
- How common is it to get sick from cockroach smell?
Cockroach smell does not cause disease directly. However, cockroaches do carry infectious agents like bacteria which can make humans sick through direct contact, inhalation, or consuming contaminated food.
- Can people be allergic to cockroaches?
The chemicals released by roaches in the form of pheromones or by the decomposition of dead roaches can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals or those having respiratory problems.
- In what ways do roaches release the allergens?
The cockroach allergens are proteins in nature that are released in their saliva, feces, and decomposition of the dead cockroaches.
- How will I know that I have a roach allergy?
The roach allergic reaction is characterized by several symptoms which include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing and skin rashes.