How Do Roaches Affect Asthma and Allergies?

Summary: It’s no secret that pests impact human health, but how do roaches make such an impact on asthma and allergy symptoms? This blog provides the answer by explaining the basics of roach allergens and the problems they create. It ends with explaining the most efficient ways to prevent roach allergens from impacting your home. Green Pest Services solves roach problems with the utmost efficiency and care.

Yesterday (May 7) was National Asthma Day, and this condition is more closely linked to pests than you might think. Pests bring a world of health risks when they invade, especially if they live inside a home for months on end. Rodents, ants, and stinging insects come to mind when we talk about health risks. But there’s one other pest that is cause for (health) concern…

Cockroaches are disgusting critters that contaminate every surface they touch. That being said, the health risks of roaches don’t stop at food contamination. They also irritate allergy and asthma symptoms in people with those conditions.

How do roaches impact asthma and allergies when we don’t even come in contact with them? Let’s find out by diving into the world of roach allergens and how we can prevent these pests from impacting the health of your household.

Roach Allergens

It’s strange that sewer-inhabiting roaches even have allergens, never mind the fact that they spread them to humans.

These allergens are found in a roach’s droppings, saliva, and body parts. The enzymes in the proteins within each of these features cause reactions in sensitive groups of humans. Basically, roaches cause asthma or allergy flare-ups when their enzymes create an allergic reaction in the person’s immune system.

Like dust mites, roach allergens are airborne until they settle on surfaces. People living in the impacted space are breathing in the contaminated dust, especially when the dust settles on fabrics (beds, furniture, etc.). The allergens can even get inside HVAC systems and vents, so you could be inhaling roach allergens throughout the house.

Since cockroaches like warm, dark, and humid areas, those spaces are more likely to have their allergens. Simply put, the allergen concentration is higher in roach-infested areas. The more roaches there are, the more allergens they create!

The Health Impact of Roaches

The allergen situation gets worse the longer that a roach infestation is unaddressed. Most asthma/allergy experts recommend a pest-free home to consistently alleviate the symptoms. It’s hard to get relief from allergy and asthma symptoms when there’s still a roach army in the house!

If you already struggle with asthma and allergies, you’re more likely to be affected by roach allergens. Sensitive groups — children, elderly, immunocompromised — are generally more impacted by pest-related health concerns.

Rodents, ants, and dust mites also heighten asthma symptoms, so the problem isn’t limited to roaches. That being said, these pests are still a major trigger for asthma symptoms. In fact, young children can develop asthma if they’re exposed to roach allergens for a long time.

Cockroaches also carry bacteria that causes diseases (salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli, etc.) in humans. Even if your household doesn’t have asthma or allergy concerns, there are plenty of other health issues that these nasty pests can cause.

Roach Allergy Symptoms

But back to the topic at hand. Humans have reactions to roach allergens when our immune systems think the allergens are dangerous. According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, 78% to 98% of homes have roach allergens. That’s a lot of homes with roach germs!

The symptoms of roach-induced allergies and asthma are basically the same as the normal symptoms. If anyone in your home starts having intense symptoms out of seemingly nowhere, it’s worth having your local pest professionals (like Green) check the house for roaches.

Roach allergens often cause these symptoms:

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Congestion

• Chest pain

• Itchy eyes

• Postnasal drip

• An itchy, red rash

• Difficulty breathing

• Ear or sinus infection

• Itchy mouth and nose

The 3 Most Common Roaches

Roaches carry 33 types of bacteria and 7 human pathogens, so it’s safe to say that we don’t want these pests anywhere near our homes. It’s a good idea to know the basic differences between the most common species in the event that you do see a roach in your space.

There are 3 species we often see on the East Coast.

American Roaches

They’re reddish-brown and 1.5 to 2 inches long. They live up to 1 year, spending much of that time in mulch and sewers. They usually invade after it rains since they love the moisture. Females lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetimes, averaging 6 to 14 egg cases with 14 to 16 eggs in each.

German Roaches

These pests are light to dark brown, and they can be 1/2 an inch to 5/8 of an inch long. They eat anything and evade capture by running everywhere. German roaches invade by crawling through pipes or by hitching a ride on packages. Females average 4 to 8 egg cases with 40 eggs in each.

Oriental Roaches

These pests are black and about 25 to 32 millimeters long. They invade homes by squeezing through cracks and crevices. They can go a month without food, but only two weeks without water. Females usually produce 8 egg cases with 16 eggs in each over the course of their lives.

Roach Prevention = Health Protection

Roach prevention isn’t just about keeping pests away from your home, though that is a main motivator. It’s also about protecting the health of you and your family. If anyone in the home has asthma or allergies, it’s even more important to prevent roach infestations.

These are the most efficient ways to prevent cockroaches and remove their allergens:

• Eliminate Extra Moisture — These pests love water, so make sure there aren’t any leaks or standing water. As a general rule, the humidity should be less than 50% inside a house.

• Wash Your Bedding Often — Dust, hair, and roach allergens often settle on bedding, so it’s important to regularly wash and change your sheets. Don’t forget the pillowcases!

• Clean the Floors — Between stray crumbs and roach allergens, our floors have a lot of natural debris. Use your favorite method (mop, vacuum, sweep) to clean the floors often.

• Maintain the Trash Situation — Garbage has plenty of food for lowly roaches, so keep them out by maintaining the trash. Use strong bags, take it out when it’s full, and keep the lids to the outdoor cans closed.

• Keep a Clutter-Free Home — This is easier said than done, but it does make a difference in preventing pests. Use lidded containers (not cardboard boxes) to store your items, and don’t let laundry or papers pile up on the ground.

• Do the Dishes — Speaking of which, it’s a good idea to stay on top of the dishes. Dirty dishes that sit out are great sources of food and water for roaches. Don’t let dishes sit in the sink for more than 24 hours.

• Protect Your Food — Keep your food safe from hungry roaches by storing pantry essentials (baking ingredients, cereal, etc.) in airtight containers. Also, keep your dog or cat’s dry food in a lidded container for extra protection.

• Look for the Signs — In every season, keep an eye out for signs of a roach invasion. The common ones include pepper-like droppings, egg cases, a musty smell, and live or dead roaches.

Protect Your Well-Being with Green

Roaches are vile creatures that resist standard pesticides. If you have a roach problem, you need professional services that will not only get to the root of the infestation, but also prevent future pest issues. The licensed technicians of Green Pest Services solve local roach problems with the utmost efficiency and care.

Our team understands the importance of keeping infected pests, like roaches and rodents, away from your home. That’s why we target pests with our guaranteed treatment methods. Contact us today for a free quote on our reliable services, and say goodbye to your pest worries!

Citations

Britt, T. (2023, April 18). Do cockroaches make asthma worse?. Medical News Today. Available at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/roaches-and-asthma (Accessed on April 25, 2025).

Cockroach allergy. (2018, February 1). American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/cockroach-allergy/

Cockroach allergy. (2023, September 1). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25229-cockroach-allergy

Cockroaches. (2024, June 7). American Lung Association. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/cockroaches

Do cockroaches trigger asthma and allergies in Lewisville homes?. (2022, March 18). Romney Pest Control. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://romneypestcontrol.com/do-cockroaches-trigger-asthma-and-allergies-in-lewisville-homes/