How Long Do Cockroaches Live Without Food?

Cockroaches are nocturnal insects that can survive without food for up to a month. When food is scarce, they minimize their activities and conserve energy for survival. Cockroaches have a very low metabolic rate, and they depend on temperature to drive their body functions. During high temperatures, they become active, but when the weather gets cold, they hibernate. During the winter, they can survive for up to a month without food.

When there is no food or water available, cockroaches will close their spiracles, and this prevents them from dehydrating and losing water. Because they are cold-blooded, they cannot survive in high temperatures, but even mild winters won’t kill them. In colder climates, they’ll move indoors and slow their breeding cycles.

Cockroaches can bite, and some people get stung by them. The mandibles of a cockroach are equipped with tiny teeth that are used to digest food. Cockroaches also have two pairs of tiny hands called maxillae. These tiny hands are used to pick up food.