How Long Can A Cockroach Live Without Food?
A cockroach can survive without food for about one month, depending on the species, environmental conditions, and its access to water. However, water is far more critical to its survival. Most cockroaches will die within one to two weeks without water, even if food is available.
Cockroaches are highly resilient and can slow down their metabolism to conserve energy when food is scarce. Some species, like the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), can even survive longer periods without food compared to others, such as the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), which requires more frequent feeding.
If you're dealing with an infestation, eliminating food sources alone may not be enough—you should also target water sources and hiding spots to make the environment inhospitable.
How Long Can A Cockroach Live Without Water?
Cockroaches are far more dependent on water than food, and most species can only survive about one week without water. Some may die in as little as 4 to 7 days if they are completely deprived of moisture.
This short survival window is due to their high need for hydration to regulate bodily functions and maintain internal moisture levels. Even in the absence of visible water sources, cockroaches can extract moisture from food, damp environments, condensation on pipes, and even absorb it through their cuticle from humid air.
Here’s a breakdown of their water dependency:
German cockroach (Blattella germanica) – Highly moisture-dependent and usually survives less than a week without water.
American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) – Slightly more tolerant but typically survives no more than 7–10 days without access to water.
Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) – Oriental cockroaches are particularly drawn to wet environments and die quickly without water, often within 4–5 days.
From a pest control perspective, targeting water sources—such as leaky pipes, condensation, pet bowls, or moist sink areas—is just as important as, if not more important than, removing food. By depriving cockroaches of both food and water, you significantly reduce their survivability and reproductive success.