It is horrifying to be fading into dreamland and then start to think about the roach you saw in your room, and the idea that a roach could crawl into your mouth while you sleep. Aside from the fact that it feels gross, cockroaches also carry bacteria and pathogens that cause numerous diseases.
However, the pressing question remains: Do cockroaches crawl in your mouth when you sleep?
- There are low chances of a cockroach crawling into your mouth
- Cockroaches like to stay away from humans
- Staying too close to a cockroach nest would increase the chances of a roach flying into your mouth
- Your ears and nose are more of a concern when it comes to cockroaches going into your body.
Most likely any cockroaches in your space will stay away from you while you sleep. It is highly unusual that one will crawl in a human mouth.
Let’s discuss it below.
Do cockroaches crawl in your mouth when you sleep?
As mentioned above, there are low chances that a cockroach will crawl into your mouth while asleep. However, it always helps to ensure that you sleep in a clean environment, preferably with your mouth closed.
You could take an approach to keep cockroaches away from you when you sleep by opting for natural repellents such as essential oils of peppermint or catnip. Both odors are known to put cockroaches off and keep them away.
Additionally, it is best to keep your room clean and free of food, clutter, and dirt. This will minimize the chances of your cockroach creeping their way in and perhaps into your mouth at night.
It is best to keep your room clean and free of food, clutter, and dirt. This will minimize the chances of your cockroach creeping their way in and perhaps into your mouth at night.
This idea originated from an urban legend that states that humans tend to consume insects while they’re asleep. However, this legend is a no-go for cockroaches who wish to stay away from your mouth as much as you want it to!
What causes cockroaches to stay away from entering our mouths?
Although the inside of your mouth is similar to an ideal atmosphere for cockroaches, i.e., warm and moist, cockroaches are smart enough to stay away because they recognize that crawling into a human mouth could be dangerous.
They detect potential danger through a consistent supply of CO2 from the mouth. This indicates that there’s a living organism on the opposite side.
Cockroaches emerge from their hiding spaces to look for water, food, warmth, and shelter. Fortunately for us, our mouths only provide some of these and, therefore, aren’t worth entering from a cockroach’s perspective.
There is a likelihood that a cockroach accidentally flies into your mouth if you’re standing close to its nest. Some flying cockroaches include brown, smoky-brown, Asian, American, and wood.
However, despite a relatively higher chance, a cockroach flying into your mouth is rare because these creatures tend to stay hidden when humans are around and lights are on.
As we mentioned above, cockroaches are more likely to crawl into your ears than your mouth. The ear canal offers protection and is warm.
Nightmare fuel.
This is because cockroaches are thigmotaxic i.e. they like to be in small cracks and crevices, where they feel safe. This is essentially why tight spaces are common locations for nests among roaches.
Cockroaches are thigmotaxic i.e. they like to be in small cracks and crevices, where they feel safe. This is essentially why tight spaces are common locations for nests among roaches.
What should I do if a cockroach crawls into my mouth and I accidentally swallow it?
Although there are low chances of a cockroach entering your mouth, you are only human to worry about the consequences if one does make its way inside.
However, the human body is truly magical.
Your stomach acid will likely dissolve the cockroach and all the bacteria it carries around on its deep brown and disgusting back. Therefore, you will eventually digest the cockroach, and it’ll exit your body as normal food does.
There are some chances of falling sick
However, your stomach acid can lag when diluting the bacteria, so it is possible you’ll get sick. Unfortunately, if you suffer from allergies to cockroaches, you are at high risk of falling sick. If you’re allergic, some symptoms that you may develop after consuming a cockroach include:
- Breathing issues
- A fall in the blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Face, throat, and mouth swelling up
- Nasal congestion
- Coughing
- Sinus and ear infections
- Wheezing
- Skin rashes
Cockroaches are commonly known to cause asthma. Essentially, their saliva and feces are the trigger factor because they have specific proteins that trigger allergies for people with asthma, causing a severe reaction from swallowing the mini monster.
Various other diseases can result from swallowing a cockroach. These include:
- E.coli infections
- Salmonellosis
- Listeriosis
Our main advice if you swallow a cockroach would be to seek medical care if you start to feel ill, but probably nothing will happen.
How do I keep cockroaches away from me while I sleep?
You can take a few measures to ensure that cockroaches stay away from you during the night. These include:
1. Remove moisture and food
We already know that food and water act as magnets for cockroaches. Therefore, clear your bed of any leftover food or used cups before you go to sleep. If you carry water to bed, ensure it’s inside an airtight bottle that cockroaches can’t get inside.
2. Keep your room clean
Dirty clothes or any clutter will act as a magnet for cockroaches. They even munch on organic matter such as fabric, cardboard, paper, or anything with starch. Therefore, put away any dirty clothes or dust that may reside within your room.
3. Take out the trash
Trash, again, is dirty and, therefore, attracts cockroaches. Therefore, before you sleep, empty your room from any signs of trash. Additionally, ensure your trash does not contain rotten foods because those pose heaven for these cockroaches.
Conclusion: A Natural Repellent Goes A Long Way!
You don’t have reason to worry that a cockroach will crawl into your personal space during the night. Remember this: they are more scared of you than you are of them!
Deep clean your room, take the trash out, seal the windows, and use an insect repellent. If you’ve done all that, you should be able to sleep soundly.
