How Can Cockroach Live in Cold Weather?
WouterCockroaches have a surprisingly long life span, spanning over 300 million years. During colder weather, they instinctively seek out warm places. These places include walls and crevices. These are sheltered and can help the pests conserve their energy. In fact, some species can tolerate very low temperatures if they are supplied with food and water.
Nevertheless, some species, including the American cockroach, cannot survive in temperatures that are lower than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing can kill them. If trapped in freezing temperatures for more than 10 hours, a cockroach is doomed. A Surinam cockroach is an exception to this rule.
In order to survive cold temperatures, cockroaches use their hard exterior shell to absorb air moisture. In extreme temperatures, roaches can hold their breath but their metabolism will be hampered and their internal organs will begin to dry out. At temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, cockroaches will eventually die.
Although some species are capable of surviving at temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, cockroaches are most active at temperatures of 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the cold weather does affect their ability to reproduce. They must find a warm place to survive and acclimate to the cold temperature before they can reproduce.
During cold weather, cockroaches will move to a warmer place. This will usually be near a source of moisture. In addition to this, cockroaches can adapt to cold temperatures if they have the right conditions. While most adult cockroaches will die at temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit, nymphs will hibernate.
