What do cockroaches eat? These resilient pests have an astonishingly diverse diet that allows them to thrive in human habitats and the wild. Cockroaches are opportunistic feeders with a seemingly endless appetite.
Although they prefer sweets, meats, and starches, they consume other items such as decaying matter, clothes, furniture, and books. They will damage such items if they are inside a home. This guide explores the culinary preferences of these unwanted houseguests and what they consume in their natural environment.
What Does Cockroach Eat Inside Homes
If you are wondering what does a cockroach eat inside your home, here is everything you need to know.
1. Food Crumbs and Leftovers
Cockroaches love food crumbs and leftovers as they are a quick and easy meal. Even tiny bits of food left on countertops, floors, or kitchen appliances can draw them in. These foods are appealing because they are rich in calories, which cockroaches need to fuel their activity.
They have a keen sense of smell and can detect these small food particles from a distance. Once they find a food source, they often return to the same spot, leading to infestations if not cleaned up promptly.
2. Pet Food
Cockroaches feed on pet food because it contains nutrients they need to survive, such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Dry kibble left out in pet bowls for long periods is an easy and consistent food source for roaches.
Wet pet food, if not promptly cleaned up, also attracts these insects due to its strong smell and high moisture content, which they find appealing. It is important to clean up leftovers and store food in sealed containers to prevent roaches from feeding on pet food.
3. Starches
Cockroaches are attracted to starchy foods like bread, pasta, and potatoes because they provide them with a boost of energy. These starchy foods break down into sugars, which cockroaches can digest and metabolize efficiently.
If you leave these foods out in the open, or if crumbs are left on the floor or counters, cockroaches will seek them out. They can nibble through packaging like paper or cardboard to get to these food sources, making it crucial to store such items in airtight containers.
Fruits and vegetables are another food source for cockroaches. These foods provide them with essential nutrients and moisture, and cockroaches do not care whether they are fresh or decaying. They often prefer overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables because they are easier to digest.
These foods offer sugars, vitamins, and water crucial for cockroaches’ survival. If fruits or veggies are left out or stored improperly, cockroaches can find and feast on them, increasing the chances of an infestation. Keeping produce in sealed containers can prevent this.
5. Meat Products
Cockroaches also feed on meat as they are a rich source of protein and fat, which they need to survive. Whether raw or cooked meat, cockroaches are drawn to it, especially if it is left out or improperly stored.
They might feast on small scraps, leftover fat, or oils and grease accumulated on surfaces like kitchen counters or sinks. If meat is left exposed, cockroaches will quickly find it, making proper food storage and cleanliness essential to keeping them at bay.
6. Garbage
Cockroaches are attracted to garbage because it often contains various organic materials they can feed on. These materials include food scraps, peelings, and other biodegradable waste that starts to break down and emit smells that attract cockroaches.
They can easily access garbage cans, especially if they are not sealed tightly, and will feast on the leftovers and waste inside. The decaying matter provides them with both food and moisture, making garbage an ideal feeding spot for cockroaches in your home. Keeping trash bins covered and emptied regularly can help.
7. Paper Products
Cockroaches are opportunistic feeders and will feed on unlikely items like paper products because they contain starches and organic materials they love. Items like book bindings, cardboard, and wallpaper paste are special favorites.
The glue in binding books or wallpaper is often starch-based, making it a potential food source. Cardboard boxes, particularly when they become damp, can also provide both food and shelter for cockroaches. They will nibble on these materials, causing damage over time, especially in areas with poor storage conditions or where moisture is present.
Soaps and toothpaste are perhaps the most unconventional food source for cockroaches. They are attracted to these products as they often contain fats and oils, making them a viable food source.
Even though soap and toothpaste are inedible, the substances in them can provide nourishment to cockroaches. They are especially drawn to soap and toothpaste that are used or have been sitting in damp areas, as moisture can make these products more appealing. Storing these items properly can help deter cockroaches.
9. Glue
Cockroaches will also eat as it contains organic compounds. Many glues, especially those found in postage stamps, envelopes, and book bindings, are made from starches, proteins, or other materials derived from plants or animals.
These ingredients can be a source of nutrition for cockroaches, especially when food is scarce. Their strong mandibles allow them to chew through these substances, helping them survive even in environments where traditional food sources like food crumbs and leftovers are limited.
10. Dead Insects
If all these food sources are unavailable, cockroaches will eat other dead cockroaches or insects. These insects are scavengers, and their behavior is part of their instinct to recycle nutrients and keep their environment clean.
When they find a dead cockroach, they consume it for its protein and other nutrients. This behavior can sometimes be an issue in homes with severe cockroach infestations, as the presence of dead cockroaches can attract more cockroaches and contribute to the overall problem.
11. Cheese
Cheese is definitely on their menu for cockroaches who are opportunistic feeders. Whether it is a crumb left on the counter, a forgotten slice in the fridge, or even a block of cheese with exposed edges, cockroaches are attracted to cheese because of its potent fermented odor and fats and protein contents.
They can feed on various kinds of cheese, from hard types like cheddar to softer varieties like brie. When cheese is left uncovered, dropped, or stored improperly, it becomes an appealing target for cockroaches.
The pantry is always a goldmine for cockroaches since they can find sweet and starchy food like baking products like flour, cake mixes, and cookies. When these products are spilled, left out, or not stored properly, they create a food source for cockroaches.
Flour, for example, can be highly tempting as it is a carbohydrate-rich food that provides sustenance. Similarly, cake mixes and cookies contain sugars and fats that offer a high-energy diet that cockroaches find irresistible. These baking products can lead to infestations if they are not stored securely.
13. Food Packaging
Cockroaches are also drawn to food packaging because they often have leftover food bits or spills. They can detect even small amounts of food residue on cardboard, plastic, or other packaging materials. They might nibble on the packaging if it is greasy or has crumbs.
Since cockroaches can squeeze into tiny spaces, they find food particles hidden in packaging. This is why it is important to keep packaging clean and store food properly to keep cockroaches away.
What Cockroaches Eat In The Wild
Cockroaches will feed on just about anything, and they will find plenty of food sources in the wild as well, even if they are unconventional. Here are some of them:
14. Decaying Plant Material
In the wild, cockroaches are beneficial and play a huge role in breaking down decaying leaves and plant matter. They feed on the dead organic material that accumulates on the forest floor or in other natural habitats. This decaying material provides them with essential nutrients and helps recycle nutrients back into the soil.
By consuming and decomposing plant matter, cockroaches contribute to the nutrient cycle, aiding in soil fertility and promoting plant growth. Their activity helps maintain a balanced ecosystem by decomposing organic waste.
15. Rotting Wood
Cockroaches in the wild consume wood, particularly when it is decaying. As the wood decomposes, it breaks down into softer, more digestible fibers and contains various microorganisms like fungi and bacteria that cockroaches consume.
They feed on the wood’s fibers, which provide them with essential nutrients. This process also aids in further decomposing the wood, making the nutrients available to other organisms in the ecosystem. Cockroaches can be found feeding on fallen branches, rotting tree stumps, or any wood that is damp and broken down.
Cockroaches often feed on fungi such as mold and mushrooms. These food sources provide them with nutrients and are relatively easy to consume. Mold usually grows in damp, decaying environments, which are ideal habitats for cockroaches.
By feeding on mold and fungi, cockroaches help break down organic matter, contributing to the decomposition process. This scavenging behavior is part of their role in the ecosystem, where they assist in recycling nutrients and maintaining environmental balance.
17. Animal Droppings
Another cockroach's food source is animal feces. Animal feces, rich in organic matter, provide cockroaches with essential nutrients. In forests, fields, and other outdoor habitats, they readily consume the droppings of various animals, including birds, rodents, deer, and even larger mammals.
They might feed on cow dung if they are in pastures or horse manure if they are hiding in stables. This feeding habit helps break down waste products and is part of their role as scavengers. It helps in the natural recycling of organic matter.
18. Produce
A significant component of cockroach's wild diet is produce. These insects are capable of consuming a variety of plant matter. Examples of produce that cockroaches might consume in the wild include fallen fruits, berries, and overripe vegetation.
They are attracted to the sugar content and moisture these items provide. In tropical and subtropical regions, where many cockroach species originate, the abundance of fruit-bearing plants offers a consistent food source. Additionally, they might feed on the roots and stems of plants, especially during periods of scarcity.
19. Nectar and Pollen
Cockroaches will feed on nectar and plant juices if they come across them. Nectar is a sweet liquid produced by flowers, and while it is a less preferred food source for cockroaches than other options, they will consume it when available.
Similarly, plant juices can come from damaged or rotting plants where the fluids are exposed. These sweet and nutrient-rich substances provide energy and essential nutrients for cockroaches. This feeding behavior helps them sustain themselves in natural environments, where diverse food sources are available.
It might seem surprising, but some cockroach species will feed on grass and weeds, especially when other food sources are scarce. These insects will consume a variety of plant matter to survive. Grass and weeds provide a source of carbohydrates and moisture, essential for survival.
However, it is important to note that this is not a primary food source for most cockroach species. Factors like habitat, climate, and the availability of other food sources will influence the extent to which a particular cockroach species relies on grass and weeds.
21. Root Matter
Cockroaches, particularly those that dwell in underground or subterranean habitats, will feed on root matter, which includes the underground parts of plants like roots and tubers. They have evolved to consume the underground parts of plants to get nutrients and moisture, especially in environments where other food sources are scarce.
Root matter is rich in carbohydrates and can be a significant food source for cockroaches living in soil or forest floors. They access these parts by digging or feeding on decaying plant roots, helping them survive in their natural habitats.
22. Animal Carcasses
If cockroaches are living near other animals, they feed on dead animals, including insects and small mammals. This scavenging behavior provides them with essential nutrients, such as protein and fats, crucial for survival. They can break down dead animals into simpler substances that they can digest.
This behavior also helps them survive in their natural habitats, where food sources can be scarce or irregular. It also helps to prevent the spread of diseases, contribute to the recycling of nutrients in the environment, and maintain ecological balance.
23. Seeds and Grains
Cockroaches are not picky eaters, and their dietary habits extend to the consumption of seeds and grains. These insects can be found foraging for fallen seeds from various plants in the wild. They might find these food sources in areas where plant matter is abundant, like near fruit-bearing plants or where grains have been scattered.
They can also feed on seeds that have fallen to the ground or are part of decomposing plant material. Their ability to access tight spaces allows them to reach seeds buried even in difficult-to-reach places.
While not a primary food source, cockroaches will indeed consume algae. They can eat algae that grow in proximity to water bodies or in moist, shaded areas. Algae are simple plants that are found under rocks, in decaying wood, or near water sources.
Cockroaches feed on algae for sustenance, particularly when other food sources are scarce. Algae helps these insects survive and thrive in their natural habitats. This behavior underscores their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits.
How Do Cockroaches Eat?
Cockroaches eat using their specialized mouthparts designed for their scavenging lifestyle. Their strong, serrated jaws (mandibles) can chew through various materials, including food scraps, plant matter, and even tough things like wood. They also have maxillae, which help break down and grind the food into smaller bits before they swallow it.
Their labrum acts like a feeding tube to move the food into their mouth. Once the food is in their digestive system, it travels through the stomach and intestines, where nutrients are extracted. This process allows cockroaches to consume a wide range of organic materials efficiently.
How Do Cockroaches Digest What They Eat?
Cockroaches have a unique digestive system that lets them handle a wide range of foods. It is divided into three parts: the foregut, midgut, and hindgut. First, they chew their food using their mandibles and mix it with saliva in a storage area called the crop. Then, the food moves to the gizzard, where it gets broken down even more.
After that, it goes to the midgut, where digestive juices break it down further so that nutrients can be absorbed. Finally, the leftover waste goes to the hindgut, where water is taken back into the body, and the rest is turned into feces for elimination. This system helps cockroaches get the most nutrients from their varied diet.
How Long Can a Cockroach Survive Without Food?
Cockroaches can survive without food for a surprisingly long time, typically ranging from one to two months. Their ability to endure extended periods without food is due to their metabolism, which can slow down significantly during times of scarcity.
They can use their fat reserves to sustain themselves, and their small size means they require relatively less food than larger animals. However, while they can live without food, they need water more urgently, as dehydration can be fatal in just a week or so. Their resilience in surviving without food makes them particularly hardy pests.
