What Do Cockroaches Eat?

Cockroaches are extremely common household pests that can survive in a wide range of environments and climates. But these hearty insects can also be dangerous to humans. Cockroaches are known for being harmful pests that can carry disease-causing bacteria and viruses, contaminate food sources, and may even trigger asthma attacks, according to the National Center for Healthy Housing.

Their ability to withstand harsh conditions makes cockroaches notoriously difficult to get rid of once they’ve infested a home or business, which is why it’s important to know what attracts cockroaches in the first place. In this article, you’ll learn about cockroach feeding behaviors, the food items they’re attracted to, and how to prevent a cockroach infestation.

Cockroach Feeding Behavior Overview 

Being nocturnal animals, many cockroaches scavenge for food and feed at night, but their feeding patterns may vary based on their species. Here are the most common cockroach species we encounter in the United States:

What Do Cockroaches Eat? Here Are Their Favorite Foods

Cockroaches are generally not very picky eaters. While they will eat a plethora of human food, cockroach diets are incredibly diverse. As omnivores, they will happily eat a wide variety of protein sources, plants, insects, decaying organic waste, and even materials – like cardboard – that we deem inedible. Here are some of cockroaches’ favorite foods: