Will Cockroaches Die in the Cold?

When temperatures drop, cockroaches will seek out warmer spots. They will also move into homes, sheds, basements, attics, and voids in walls. Cockroaches do not die in cold temperatures, but they will slow down. It is a good idea to place a heater in these locations. Heaters will provide residual warmth and moisture, which roaches need to survive.

Although many insects die during winter, cockroaches actually live longer than you think. Cockroaches are able to survive up to 300 million years, which means they will live on long after humans are gone. Some species, like wood roaches, are particularly resilient to cold. They use dead trees and other sources of warmth, while others migrate indoors to avoid freezing temperatures.

Roaches need time to acclimate to low temperatures, so if they do not have enough time to adjust, they will die. However, sudden cold snaps can take them near the freezing point and kill them, even if the temperature doesn’t drop below zero. Whether or not the temperature drops below 0 degrees will depend on how fast the ambient air cools.

If the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, roaches will seek warmer alternatives to survive. They will seek refuge in homes because they are warmer and have easier access to food. However, if they do not find a suitable shelter in the cold weather, they will be unable to reproduce. Once they find a warm spot, they will jump back into action.