Both bed bugs and roaches can be very difficult to deal with in a home. They can cause a lot of stress and disruption to daily life. But which one is ultimately worse to have an infestation of? There are a few key factors to consider.
Appearance and Size
Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped bugs that are reddish-brown in color. Adults grow to about 1/4 inch long. Roaches come in different shapes and sizes depending on the species, but most household roaches are 1 to 2 inches long. So roaches are noticeably larger than bed bugs.
Reproduction and Lifespan
Bed bugs can lay 200-500 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs hatch in about 10 days. Bed bugs go from egg to adult in about 21 days. Adults can live for 4-6 months without a blood meal. Roaches also reproduce quickly, but their life cycle depends on the species. German roaches produce egg cases containing 30-40 nymphs. Those nymphs mature in as little as 36-57 days. Adults can live up to about 200 days.
Feeding and Bites
Bed bugs feed solely on blood, preferably human blood. They come out at night when people are sleeping and bite exposed skin, often around the face, neck, arms and hands. Their bites can cause itchy welts. Roaches are omnivores and scavengers. They feed on all kinds of organic matter like book bindings, plants, foods, and even fingernail clippings and hair. Roaches do not directly bite people, but can occasionally nibble on skin.
| Bug | Biting Behavior | Bite Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Bed Bugs | Feed on human blood at night | Itchy welts |
| Roaches | Do not directly bite | No bites/welts |
Health Risks
Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but their bites can cause allergic reactions and lead to secondary infections from scratching. Some people have no reaction at all. Roaches can spread bacteria like salmonella and E. coli when they come into contact with food. Their droppings and shed skins also provoke allergies and asthma symptoms in some people.
Detection and Hiding Spots
Bed bugs are sneaky and great at hiding. During the day, they squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices around beds, furniture, behind baseboards and pictures, etc. Their flattened bodies allow them to fit into impossibly small spaces. Roaches also hide in cracks and crevices, but they are most active at night. You may spot them scurrying around bathrooms, kitchens, pantries and other moist areas. Their larger size makes them slightly easier to detect.
Difficulty of Eradication
Both bed bugs and roaches can be very hard to get rid of. Treatment often requires a combination of insecticide sprays, powders and traps over a period of weeks or months. Bed bugs are more difficult to fight because their hiding spots are so hard to reach. The smallest gaps in floorboards or walls can harbor bed bugs. Roaches have a wider range of hiding spots, but some are more exposed like kitchen cabinets.
Psychological Effects
Finding either bed bugs or roaches in your home can certainly cause disgust, anxiety and loss of sleep. However, bed bugs seem to cause more intense psychological distress. Their sneaky bites at night, the difficulty locating them, and their association with unsanitary conditions provokes intense unease and paranoia in some people. Roaches are unsettling, but do not typically cause as severe psychological impacts.
Treatment Costs
On average, professional extermination of bed bugs costs around $1,000 to $3,000 or more depending on the size of the infestation and home. Roach treatments may start around $500 to $1,000 on average. The extensive hiding spots and difficulty reaching bed bugs makes their treatment more challenging and expensive in most cases.
| Pest | Average Cost of Professional Extermination |
|---|---|
| Bed Bugs | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
| Roaches | $500 – $1,000 |
Prevention
Preventing bed bugs comes down to checking for signs, reducing clutter, sealing cracks, encasing mattresses, and being cautious when traveling or buying used furniture. For roaches, sanitation and sealing entry points is key – eliminate moisture, store food properly, and seal cracks.
Bed Bug Prevention Tips
- Inspect regularly for signs like fecal spots, blood smears, empty eggs and live bugs
- Reduce clutter and vacuum frequently
- Seal cracks, crevices and entry points
- Encase mattresses and box springs
- Carefully inspect secondhand furniture
- Dry clothing and luggage after travel
Roach Prevention Tips
- Store food in airtight containers
- Clean up spills and crumbs quickly
- Take out trash regularly
- Fix leaks and moisture issues
- Seal entry points like small cracks
Conclusion
Overall, bed bugs are generally considered more difficult to live with and eradicate than roaches. Bed bugs hide in tiny spaces that allow them to spread rapidly and evade treatment. Their night time biting leads to painful, itchy welts that can cause anxiety and sleeplessness. Exterminating bed bugs also tends to be more complex and expensive than getting rid of roaches. However, roaches do spread disease more easily through food contamination and allergens. The safest bet is to avoid both pests through prevention and quick action at the first signs of an infestation.