What Do Cockroaches Eat?

Cockroaches are scavengers, but what do cockroaches actually eat? They are omnivorous, and they’ll eat almost anything they can find. This insect would certainly prefer the foods we eat, but it is capable of sustaining itself on a variety of non-foods also. Keep reading to find out what foods make up the cockroach’s diet.

What Is a Cockroach?

A cockroach is an insect that is a common pest in homes around the world. They may be among the longest-living species on the planet. Some fossils suggest they’ve been around for over 320 million years, outlasting anything that has ever walked the Earth. There are over 4,500 roach species, but only around 30 are considered pests. While cockroaches are found on every continent except Antarctica, most species originated in tropical, mild climates, and few are adapted for cold weather.

In the U.S., the most prevalent cockroach species is the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). They have oval, flattened bodies, long antennae, and thin, spiny legs. These cockroaches are light brown with two parallel stripes on the back of their body. The males are slimmer than the females and do not have outer wings. The females are more rounded with outer wings that cover their abdomens.

These scavengers prefer humid, warm, dark habitats. They invade indoor environments, inhabit sewers, and live in dead trees. German cockroaches inhabit kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms, although they may be found anywhere in the house. Cockroaches typically venture out to forage in the dark. The infamous scene of turning on a light and watching the roaches scurry is familiar to many.

The Cockroach Diet

As omnivores, roaches will consume both animal and plant matter. However, they are opportunistic feeders. Cockroaches will consume any substance that came from a living organism, and many that did not. Here are just a few of the foods that cockroaches will eat:

• Starches
• Sweets
• Greasy substances
• Meat
• Bread
• Cardboard
• Books and book bindings
• Wallpaper glue
• Paper
• Cat litter
• Stamps
• Feces (including their own)
• Fingernails
• Dead skin (including their own)
• Hair
• Leather
• Plastic
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Dead insects (including other roaches)

These omnivorous pests will even chew through containers, including sugar and flour bags, as well as cereal boxes.

The Cockroach Survives

The cockroach’s great capacity to survive is demonstrated by its diet. They may prefer eating sweets and meat, but when those are not available, roaches adapt. Cockroaches will ultimately find something to eat, even in the most desolate environments. However, cockroaches need water. Without it, they perish quickly. Unfortunately, if they cannot get food but still have access to water, the insect can survive for weeks.

Roaches invade kitchens, grocery stores, restaurants, and basements. They dwell behind and underneath furniture and in wall cracks. With the ability to climb walls and ceilings, there are few places they cannot access. However, caulking cracks and crevices, storing food in tight containers, and keeping sinks and counters free of food remnants will aid in controlling an infestation.