EcoGuard Pest Management
Cockroach near food sources
By Gary Anderson||6 min read

What Do Cockroaches Eat?

Understanding cockroach diet helps with effective pest control and prevention.

Cockroaches are omnivorous and opportunistic eaters. These insects exhibit an extensive dietary range and can consume just about anything organic including plant and animal-based materials.

Their wide-ranging diet means they can survive even when normal food sources are unavailable. Understanding their eating habits plays a vital role in pest control efforts and helps identify their preferences for managing infestations effectively.

Cockroach Diet Overview

Preferred Foods: Sweets, starches, grease, meats
Unconventional: Paper, hair, soap, glue, skin flakes
Without Food: Can survive months (but only weeks without water)
Disease Risk: Can contaminate human food with pathogens

Cockroach Diet

Cockroaches have an extensive and adaptive diet often determined by their environment. Their tastes encompass items commonly consumed by humans as well as unconventional organic substances.

Preferred Human Foods

  • Sweets and starchy foods
  • Greasy foods and meats
  • Cheese (especially moldy or fermented)
  • Sugar, flour, chips, cereal

Unconventional Items

  • Cardboard and book bindings
  • Wallpaper glue and paste
  • Soap and makeup
  • Hair, fingernails, dead skin

Extreme Scarcity

When food becomes scarce, they resort to cannibalism, feeding on molted shells and even other cockroaches. In extreme cases, they may even bite humans (though extremely rare).

Diet by Species

German Cockroach

Found in kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. Nocturnal scavengers that can penetrate paper and access food not in airtight containers.

Attracted to: Bread, cereals, sugary substances, soda, juice, meat products, pet food

American Cockroach

Found outdoors in dark, warm, damp places like sewers. Invade homes during hot or dry conditions. Show fondness for fermenting/rotting foods.

Outdoor: Dead insects, decaying leaves, fungi, wood
Indoor: Crumbs, spilled food, tea, milk, cheese, bakery goods

Wood Roaches

Not drawn to human food sources, making them less likely to infest kitchens. Diet based on decaying organic matter.

Attracted to: Dying trees, decaying leaves, rotting wood

Where Do Cockroaches Find Food?

Cockroaches have excellent scavenging abilities and can source food from various places. The kitchen is the primary area:

Food left on countertops

Crumbs in food prep areas

Splatters around stove burners

Food left in the sink

Unsealed food packaging

Pantry items (chips, cereals, sugar)

Floors and Carpets

Common areas that provide ample food. Roaches crawl on the ground seeking even the tiniest food particles with their strong sense of smell.

Pet Food

Another potential source. Cockroaches consume leftover pet food, crumbs, or residue in pet bowls. Regularly clean pet bowls and store food in airtight containers.

Concerned About Cockroach Contamination?

Cockroaches can transfer harmful pathogens to your food. Our professionals can eliminate infestations quickly.

Call (866) 326-2847

How Cockroaches Eat and Digest

How They Eat

Cockroaches use mandibulate mouthparts to bite and chew food. This structure allows them to break down various materials including thin plastic and paper, unlike bed bugs or mosquitoes that have piercing/sucking mouthparts.

How They Digest

Their digestive system hosts symbiotic bacteria that break down substances including harmful compounds and cellulose (found in paper, cardboard, plant materials). This ability is shared by few other animals outside termites.

Important: During infestations, store all food in cockroach-proof containers or inside the refrigerator to prevent access.

How Long Can They Survive Without Food?

American Cockroach

Can survive months without food but only about a month without water.

German Cockroach

Can last about 42 days without food but only approximately 12 days without water.

Key Takeaway

Most species can manage extended periods without food, but water is crucial. Without water, survival drops to just a few days to a couple weeks.

How to Eliminate Cockroach Food Sources

Eliminating food sources makes your home unappealing to cockroaches:

Store Food Properly

Keep all food in airtight containers including leftovers and open foods.

Clean Your Environment

Wipe spills immediately. Regular sweep, mop, and vacuum routine for all floors.

Manage Waste Effectively

Empty garbage regularly. Rinse cans and bottles before recycling.

Restrict Eating Areas

Avoid eating outside kitchen/dining room to limit food spillage elsewhere.

Clean Pet Bowls

Empty pet water and food bowls regularly to prevent easy meals.

Maintain Appliances

Deep clean stove, oven, refrigerator daily, focusing on grease and spills.

Manage Outdoor Spaces

Ensure 3-foot gap from plants/foliage to your home's perimeter.

Address Infestations

If already infested, call a pest control company to address the situation.

Contact EcoGuard if You Are Dealing with Cockroaches

Cockroaches can be a daunting pest to deal with, but you are not alone. At EcoGuard Pest Management, we specialize in resolving infestations quickly, effectively, and with a dedication to environmentally friendly methods. Do not let cockroaches disrupt your peace of mind and the comfort of your home. Reach out today and let our team help you reclaim your space.

Call (866) 326-2847Get Free Quote

Cockroach Diet FAQs

What do roaches eat when there is no food?

When conventional food sources are unavailable, cockroaches have been known to feed on items like cardboard, paper, book bindings, leather, and even soap. Thanks to their digestive symbiosis with bacteria, they can extract nutrients from these unconventional sources.

What food attracts roaches best?

Roaches are particularly attracted to starchy and sugary foods, such as bread, cereal, sugar, and sweets. However, cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers and will consume a wide range of foods if necessary.

What are 10 things cockroaches eat?

Ten things that cockroaches eat include crumbs, grease, cheese, meat, pet food, baked goods, sweets, fruit, plants, and other insects. Remember that they can also consume unconventional items like cardboard and soap in the absence of other food sources.

What do cockroaches hate?

Cockroaches dislike certain smells and substances, such as those from citrus, mint, and eucalyptus. They also detest boric acid and diatomaceous earth, both of which are commonly used in pest control due to their lethal effects on roaches.

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