What do cockroaches eat?

Of all the types of insect that sometimes cause problems in homes, cockroaches are one of the most unpleasant.

They are hardy little creatures that can survive in tough conditions. This means you might find them in almost any part of your home, although they particularly love dark, damp places – so kitchens and bathrooms are a common hiding place.

Of course, one of the main factors attracting cockroaches to a particular part of your home or business is the availability of food.

This means that removing the source of food is a good starting point for getting rid of a cockroach problem – however, that might not be as straightforward as it sounds… That’s because these fast-moving little pests are really not picky eaters.

They are what is known as omnivorous – that is, they will eat almost any kind of organic matter that is available to them. Whilst carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, fruit and sugar are particular favourites, that’s definitely not the only thing you might find them tucking in to.

They have been observed to feed on:

• Sugary and starchy foods, like bread, rice and potatoes
• Meat, and meat by-products
• Greasy food, including oils and fatty cooking residue
• Fruit and vegetables
• Pet food, including bags of dried kibble
• Human and animal waste
• Plant matter, particularly if it is dead/decaying, which includes rotting wood
• Organic fabrics or old paper. This means they can even be a menace in libraries!

In short, cockroaches can feed on all kinds of organic materials that you might not even consider to be food!

If you are suffering from an infestation in your home or commercial property, we can advise on the best kind of treatments, including powerful heat treatments, which can help to eradicate this pest and protect your property!