Trouble breathing and pain - Ask Extension
Hi there. I moved into my first apartment ever here in Portland. I noticed on the 2nd or 3rd day that I had roaches. So I immediately went to manageme...
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Trouble breathing and pain #892784
Asked February 18, 2025, 2:12 PM EST
Hi there. I moved into my first apartment ever here in Portland. I noticed on the 2nd or 3rd day that I had roaches. So I immediately went to management and they sent in a bug guy. We'll I do not feel he did a thorough job being that he only sprayed the kitchen area. Now I keep an impeccable clean home. Wellnover the last week I developed this pain in my chest under my right breast and breathing is labored. Can roaches cause this? Oh and the roaches are still a problem I have had to throw out all of the groceries I bought. I eat out. They even entered the fridge somehow. I also awoke to 2 of them on my pillow. Omg don't really know what to do. I see my physician tomorrow. Anybadvise?
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Greetings,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having to navigate this. I know how stressful and scary it can be. I am glad to hear you have a Dr. appointment. They would be best positioned to answer questions around health impact. Below is our resources on cockroaches. I hope that your management responds quickly with additional interventions.
Identification and control: https://entomology.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/entomology/Cockroach.pdf
Additonal management if identified as German Cockroaches: https://pestsinthehome.extension.org/cockroaches/german-cockroach-pest-control/
I am so sorry to hear that you are having to navigate this. I know how stressful and scary it can be. I am glad to hear you have a Dr. appointment. They would be best positioned to answer questions around health impact. Below is our resources on cockroaches. I hope that your management responds quickly with additional interventions.
Identification and control: https://entomology.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/entomology/Cockroach.pdf
Additonal management if identified as German Cockroaches: https://pestsinthehome.extension.org/cockroaches/german-cockroach-pest-control/