Last Updated March 2nd, 2023: Is there anything more terrifying than the idea that cockroaches might crawl inside your mouth while you sleep? Well let’s take a deeper look into this myth and see do cockroaches crawl inside your mouth when you sleep?
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Do Cockroaches Crawl Inside Your Mouth When You Sleep?
Yes, it’s possible that cockroaches might crawl into your mouth while you sleep, but it’s pretty unlikely since roaches are afraid of humans. Roaches generally are smart enough to stay away from your mouth, even though it is warm and moist.
Cockroaches are known to invade even the most protected of places as long as they have an opportunity to. However, when it comes to our bodies, we all want to be sure that cockroaches know their limits.
While the mouth is warm and could pass for a cozy hiding spot for them, they are unlikely to venture in there. This is because superseding their love for comfort and food is their need to stay alive. When they sense the air coming out of your mouth, they know that you’re alive- which to them bleeds “do not enter!”
If at all they enter (which is rare), they’ll get out immediately. However, despite the short time spent there, they can deposit harmful pathogens that can make you very ill.
Why Do Cockroaches Crawl In Your Mouth?
Generally speaking, cockroaches are terrified of humans and will quickly scurry away, this means it’s unlikely that cockroaches will crawl into your mouth, but not impossible. So why would roaches crawl into your mouth?
- They Are Looking For Food and Water: 99% of what cockroaches do revolves around finding food and water, they are built for survival. Unfortunately, your mouth can seem like the perfect place to find food and water for roaches, so they might be tempted to venture into your mouth when you’re sleeping. That being said, this isn’t going to be their first choice, and they will have to be extremely desperate to venture into your mouth.
- They Think It’s A Safe Spot: Other than looking for food and water, roaches are also constantly searching for a safe place from predators. Although they generally see humans as predators, it’s possible that they mistake your mouth as simply a hole to hide in.
Flying Cockroaches and Humans
Flying cockroaches can get into your mouth, accidentally most times. Some of them include the Pennsylvanian wood cockroach, Smokybrown, and Australian cockroach. If you’re wondering can cockroaches fly, then check out our guide on this!
The Australian cockroaches are found on the gulf coast and are excellent flyers. Asian cockroaches on the other hand thrive well in warm places such as Florida.
To prevent them from flying onto your body at night while you sleep, turn off your bed lamps because they are attracted to light.
What Happens If You Swallow A Cockroach?
Firstly, that has to be the most disgusting thing that can happen to a person as far as cockroaches are concerned.
Now, to answer the question, it would depend on the circumstances involved. If your stomach acid is quick enough to act on the cockroach, it gets broken down and digested. However, cockroaches are known to carry a barrage of bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli which can cause diarrhea and vomiting, so ingesting it can be harmful. If it gives you any solace, many people do eat cockroaches on purpose!
On the other hand, you have a bigger risk of falling sick if your stomach acid is not quick enough to digest it, and nullify the effects of the bacteria. Fever, chills, and ultimately listeriosis (a bacterial infection) could result.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, asthmatic and cockroach-allergic patients are likely to develop these if they swallow a cockroach:
- Muscle cramps
- Fever
- Salmonellosis
- Diarrhea
Although roaches have the ability to transmit diseases, generally speaking, roaches aren’t very dangerous.
How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches
As is the case in many affected homes, cockroaches can be quite a handful. They are associated with dirt and grossness for very obvious reasons, like their propensity for trash, spoiled food, and sewage.
If only a few cockroaches manage to find such luxury in your home, it won’t take that much time before they become a community. So how can you stop that from happening?
Check out our guide on home remedies to get rid of roaches!
Can Cockroaches Live In Your Mouth?
Recently, there’s been a myth that cockroaches can live in your mouth and in your body. This is FALSE, cockroaches and their eggs wouldn’t be able to survive in your mouth or your body.
Final Thoughts On Roaches Crawling Into Your Mouth
Cockroaches can only crawl in your mouth if you open your mouth while you sleep, which will most likely be an accident. However, the carbon dioxide which you breathe out will only thing to repel them, because it tells them that you’re alive.
If you ever happen to orally get exposed to a cockroach, or accidentally ingest it, seek medical attention because cockroaches carry pathogens that can make you sick. Finally, do not panic if you have a cockroach situation in your home. It’s not the end of the world. Use any of the methods listed above in this article, or if you can, call for professional pest control.
Thank you for reading this article on do cockroaches crawl inside your mouth when you sleep. Thankfully you don’t have much to worry about!
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