Do Cockroaches Need Water to Survive?
Cockroaches are cold-blooded and can survive without water for up to seven days. They tend to live in areas with a high moisture content and will stay close to a water source to stay fresh. It’s worth noting that they will also drink the water from your toilet, which you might find gross, but they don’t need to drink this water to survive.
Another method of hydration is to place moisture wicks in the colony. These contain absorbent material that draws water up from the bottom and wicks it to the top. The moisture wicks must be long enough to reach both the bottom and the top of the container. The moisture wicks must not fall through the hole in the lid. Otherwise, the roaches may fall through the hole.
Cockroaches do not swim, but they can find traction in water. If they were unable to find traction in water, they would drown. Moreover, if they were injured, their exoskeletons may be cracked, and they may not recover. Therefore, it is important to avoid crushing cockroaches. Cockroaches are notoriously difficult to kill. While some urban myths may claim that water can kill cockroaches, this is simply not true.
The best way to prevent cockroaches from destroying your home is to remove moisture sources that attract them. These include water sources such as leaking pipes and pet food bowls. Those who have a pet should invest in a food bowl that is sealable and place it up high so that cockroaches can’t get to it.