Can roaches cause respiratory problems?

[jaglon53]

I have been reading a lot of things about roach feces causing respiratory problems in children and adults I keep dubias myself and have read it doesnt matter on the species they all cause certain health issues when kept in your house. I was wondering if anybody has an opinion, fact, or a concern?

 

[Syn]

Just keep them clean and you'll be fine. I believe it's the fecal matter that does this.

 

[Elizadolots]

Crickets have the same issues.

 

[Warrix642]

Try to keep them in a garage if possible.

Dustin

 

[smackey]

Coming from an ER physician...

Roach feces can be a respiratory irritant. If someone has asthma there are a few compounds in roach frass that can cause/irritate someone with asthma. If you have asthma or have children it would be best not to keep the roaches around them. However if you keep it somewhere that they are not all the time with the children not messing with the roaches I doubt it will cause much problem. Mine are in a tub without much airflow in or out so I doubt much is getting out. I have never had asthma issues myself, and I haven't gotten worse since I have gotten them. If you are a healthy adult it is unlikely to cause you any problems. If you have asthma I would wear a mask like the ones people use for mowing the lawn.

 

[Carlton]

I have been reading a lot of things about roach feces causing respiratory problems in children and adults I keep dubias myself and have read it doesnt matter on the species they all cause certain health issues when kept in your house. I was wondering if anybody has an opinion, fact, or a concern?

I'm sure feral cockroaches infesting a house could cause a problem due to the accumulating fecal matter. But, consider that roaches being raised for herp food are culled, cleaned, cared for constantly, are concentrated in one spot, are fed well as opposed to eating who knows what grungy stuff.

 

[ChamOh]

i had asthma as a kid. never experienced problems from the roaches i now have...didn't even know about this.

BTW, where are you from in PA? PM me if you want.

edit: oops 3 month bump