Cockroaches are some of the most common insects found around the world. They are known for their ability to survive under extreme conditions. In fact, they can live without food or water for months at a time.
Cockroaches are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They feed on decaying organic material such as leaves, fruits, seeds, and even dead animals.
What Do Cockroaches Eat?
The diet of a cockroach varies depending on its species. Some species have been observed eating pollen, nectar, and other insect parts. Others consume fungi and algae. Still others eat feces.
Some cockroaches also eat wood products like paper, cardboard, and plastic.
What Do Cockroaches Eat in the Wild?
In the wild, cockroaches will often eat plants and flowers that provide them with nutrients. For example, the giant African land roach (Dinoponera grandis) is an herbivore that feeds primarily on grasses. The Asian cockroach (Blatta orientalis) has been seen feeding on rotting fruit.
How Do Cockroaches Get Food?
Cockroaches get food by crawling through soil and decomposing plant materials. They may be attracted to foods left out on tables or counters.
They also use their antennae to locate food sources. When a cockroach finds something tasty, it extends its antennae toward the object. If the object is edible, the cockroach quickly moves forward to investigate further.
If the cockroach does not find anything edible, it retracts its antennae and continues moving away from the source. This behavior makes it easier for predators to catch the cockroach.
How Do Cockroaches Live?
Most cockroaches spend the majority of their lives in dark places where they hide from predators. However, when it’s warm outside, they will venture out into the open air. This is because they need sunlight to produce vitamin D3.
When cockroaches find a place that has enough moisture, they will build nests. These nests may be made of mud, dung, silk, hair, or feathers.
How Long Can Cockroaches Survive Without Food?
It depends on which type of cockroach you’re talking about. For example, German cockroaches can go up to two weeks without food. American cockroaches can last longer than this.
However, if these roachies don’t get any food for an extended period of time, they will eventually die.
What attracts cockroaches to your home?
You might think that having a lot of cockroaches in your house means you have a problem with pests. But there are actually many reasons why you could have so many cockroaches living in your home.
For one thing, cockroaches are attracted to areas where people tend to store food. If you leave food lying around, then you’ll attract more cockroaches.
Secondly, cockroaches love to stay near heat sources. So if you have a hot tub or stove, you’ll probably see them crawling around.
What happens if a cockroach bites you?
While most cockroaches aren’t dangerous, some types can bite humans. In fact, some experts say that cockroaches are responsible for more human deaths than all other insects combined.
A cockroach’s bite contains venom that causes pain and swelling. It can also cause skin irritation.
There are several ways to treat a cockroach bite:
1. Clean the area with soap and water.
2. Apply cold compresses to reduce inflammation.
3. Seek medical attention.
4. Keep pets indoors during the summer months.
5. Use insecticides to kill adult cockroaches.
6. Try using traps to capture cockroaches before they become a nuisance.
How to Get Rid of Roaches Naturally
There are several ways you can get rid of cockroaches naturally:
1. Clean Up Your Home
First things first – clean up your home! Remove all food scraps and garbage from your kitchen and bathroom. Also make sure to remove pet waste from your yard.
2. Use Insecticides Safely
You should never use pesticides to kill cockroaches. Instead, try using natural methods. For instance, you can spray your home with vinegar to deter cockroaches.
3. Keep Your House Cool
Keep your house cool during the summer months. If you live in a warmer climate, keep your windows closed at night. You can also put fans in your bedroom to help circulate the air.
4. Eliminate Sources of Water
If you notice that water is leaking somewhere in your home, stop the leak immediately. Then repair the damaged area as soon as possible.
5. Seal Cracks & Crevices
Seal cracks and crevices in your home. This will prevent cockroaches from entering your home through small openings.
6. Use Natural Pest Control Products
Natural pest control products include essential oils, soap, and baking soda. All of these items work by attracting cockroaches to certain locations.
7. Don’t Leave Food Out
Cockroaches like to feed on foods such as bread, cheese, cookies, and chocolate. Make sure to keep these items locked up in cupboards or refrigerators.
8. Buy a Roach Trap
Roaches are attracted to light. So you can buy a roach trap that uses ultraviolet lights to lure insects.
9. Spray With Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is known to repel cockroaches. To use citronella oil, mix 1 part citronella oil to 10 parts water. Then spray this mixture onto surfaces where cockroaches are likely to hang out.
10. Sprinkle Salt Around Your Home
Salt has been proven to be effective against cockroaches. Place salt around your home to eliminate their hiding places.
11. Use Boric Acid Powder
Boric acid powder works well because it kills cockroaches when they come into contact with it. Simply sprinkle boric acid powder throughout your home.
12. Put Garlic In The Kitchen
Garlic is an insecticide. It attracts cockroaches to certain areas of your home.
FAQs
Do cockroaches eat humans?
Yes, cockroaches do eat human beings. They usually prefer to eat dead skin cells. However, some cockroaches may bite people who disturb them while they are eating.
Do cockroaches eat ants?
No, cockroaches don’t eat ants. Cockroaches only attack ants when they feel threatened.
Do cockroaches eat poop?
Yes, cockroach larvae eat feces. Adult cockroaches eat other types of organic matter including decaying plant material, animal dung, and even carrion.
Do cockroaches eat spiders?
Yes, adult cockroaches eat spiders. Some species of spider have venom that makes cockroaches sick.
Do cockroaches eat wood?
No, cockroach larvae do not eat wood. Adults do, however. They eat fallen leaves, twigs, and bark.
Conclusion
Getting rid of cockroaches isn’t easy. But you can take steps to reduce the number of cockroaches in and around your home. Follow the tips above to find solutions for getting rid of cockroaches.
