Bed bugs and cockroaches have one thing in common; they are the two most prevalent and irritating house pests. Homeowners dread the thought of a bed bug or cockroach infestation!
Not only are the two pests notoriously challenging to eliminate, but they tend to multiply rapidly, making it even harder to keep the numbers down.
These two invasive pests have been named the fastest-growing pest control emergency in the developed world. Cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers and will eat just about anything at their disposal- including bed bugs.
Roaches have been known to eat bed bugs and bed bug eggs to get the nutrients they need. But this is no good news. Having a bed bug and cockroach infestation simultaneously can be horrific! While cockroaches spread serious diseases, bed bug bites can be distressing.
Luckily, it's possible to exterminate the two pests in one go, using the same treatment method. By the end of this article, you will learn how to effectively get rid of a bed bug and cockroach infestation.
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Can Bed Bugs And Cockroaches Live Together?
Simple answer? Yes. Bed bugs and cockroaches can infest at the same time. But the two bugs will highly unlikely live in the same place within that environment. Meaning there will be no competition, and no bug will get in the other way.
That's because while bed bugs prefer to live in places where there's no danger and closest to their source of food, like near your bed, roaches will survive nearly anywhere as long as there is food, like in your kitchen.
Additionally, the two bugs infest in search of different things. Bed bugs invade in search of a good blood supply, while cockroaches are attracted to garbage and leftovers.
These pesky pests thrive in places with poor hygiene. For instance, a messy room with a rare change of beddings is a haven for bed bugs. Similarly, cockroaches thrive in unhygienic kitchens with food spillages, leftovers, and places with improper garbage disposal.
Do Cockroaches Eat Bed Bugs?
One interesting fact about cockroaches is that they will eat anything organic, and they especially love starch. For this reason, they will eat everything, including your hair and dead skin, leftover foods, books, trash, and even insects.
If you thought bed bugs were super fast, you're in for a surprise. Cockroaches can run even faster, covering over 100 miles per hour- faster than the blink of an eye!
Fortunately, bed bugs are on the roaches menu. And at this speed, bed bugs don't stand much of a chance against roaches.
So, Can I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Using Cockroaches?
If the above confirmation made you want to bring a whole cockroach colony into your house to exterminate an active bed bug infestation, you need to shun that thought. Here's why:
It's scientifically proven that cockroaches feed on bed bugs and their eggs, but they can't possibly eat a whole bed bug infestation. Furthermore, bed bugs are known to reproduce quickly, creating huge communities that roaches cannot halfway devour. So, whether you have cockroaches or not, a bed bug infestation will soon overrun your house unless controlled fast and effectively.
Additionally, roaches will only kill and eat bed bugs until they have filled their stomachs. Besides not eating much, these cold-blooded insects can go for a surprisingly long time without food. Some even survive three months of no feeding. That means that bed bugs cannot feed on roaches enough to make much of a difference.
The fact that bed bugs are masters of hide and seek makes it especially hard for roaches to access them.
Note that cockroaches are most commonly attracted to places like the kitchen and pantry areas. The likelihood of the two pests coming into contact is very slim. So, while a bed bug infestation is thriving in your bedroom, roaches will be giving you a headache in the kitchen.
Finally, just because roaches can eat bed bugs doesn't mean they will. Therefore, they cannot be considered a reliable method to control bed bugs. Trying to combat one pest problem at home is bad enough- no one wants either bed bugs or cockroaches in their households.
The two irritating pests are known for posing people with serious health risks and causing emotional distress.
Cockroach vs. Bed Bugs Infestation: Which is Worse?
The truth is that both bed bugs and cockroaches are 'worse' in several different ways. But they share one bad aspect; they multiply rapidly, and unless treated fast, they will soon colonize your home.
With time and repeated treatment, the two pests have developed an undesirable resistance to the commonly used pesticides, making it especially hard for homeowners to eliminate the pests on their own.
4 Disturbing Bed Bug Facts That Make Them Worse Than Cockroaches?
Though bed bugs don't pose any health risks, they may be considered worse than cockroaches for the following reasons:
- Bed bugs are attracted to human blood, warmth, and the carbon dioxide we exhale. This makes it challenging to keep the pests away. They attack both immaculately clean and dirty homes.
- They are most active at night. Bed bugs wait until you have fallen fast asleep to crawl out of their hiding and steal your blood. Then, they release a mild anesthetic while piercing your skin so that you won't feel pain or wake up as they feed.
- Bed bugs are very tiny, almost too small to see. These annoying pests measure about 1 millimeter in length. They skillfully squeeze into the tiniest hiding spots, making it hard to suspect their presence until the infestation has grown too big.
- Bed bugs are hardy pests, which means that they can survive even in the harshest environments, from freezing to hottest.
5 Disgusting Cockroach Facts That Make Them Worse Than Bed Bugs
- These fussy eaters are cannibals and will eat anything that comes their way. They also frequent the most disgusting areas like sewages and feed on feces.
- Roaches can spread countless harmful diseases. Once they come from sewages/garbage into your house, roaches will get in contact with your food and food preparation areas. They vomit and defaecate bacteria on these surfaces. You will get sick from eating such contaminated food.
- They are super fast and can squeeze through the tiniest cracks. This makes it incredibly challenging to exterminate them.
- A cockroach infestation can trigger asthma and allergies, especially in children.
- They can go for months without food and can survive a week without ahead. That's because they use the spiracles on their bodies to breathe. Hence, you require skills to get rid of completely.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Cockroach And Bed Bug Infestation
Successful pest extermination begins with a thorough inspection of your entire home. The inspection is designed to discover all pest hiding spots, the exact pest species, and the factors that attract them to your premises. From these findings, you can now customize the best treatment plan to completely eliminate the pests and prevent reinfestations.
Unfortunately, bed bugs and cockroaches have developed a resistance to the commonly used pesticides and spray treatments. They require a combination of pest knowledge and safe, highly effective methods to get rid of completely.
Pest control experts are highly trained and knowledgeable of all pest habits, behaviors, and tricks. They will do a thorough inspection and customize a treatment plan that will render your home pest-free while protecting it from chances of future reinfestations.