How Long Can Roaches Live in an Empty House?

Roaches are some of the most common pests at home. They love lurking in your rooms’ dark, warm, and moist corners.

Plus, they move fast enough to get away with anything. But have you ever wondered whether roaches could thrive in your house when you’re out?

Let’s say it’s the holidays, and you’re on vacation with your entire family. Do you think pests like roaches can survive and still live?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Generally speaking, roaches can live in an empty house without sustenance for not more than a month.

That’s considering they still have access to moist areas where they could get their daily water supply. However, if there’s no water, you can expect roaches to die after a week.

But because roaches are versatile pests, they can eat anything. They will only escape an empty house after they have exhausted all possible food supplies.

Roaches are resourceful pests who will not give up after an initial failed attempt at food-hunting.

We know you’re curious about roaches’ way of living, and we’re here to help. This guide talks about how these pests can survive in an empty house and what they enjoy feeding on.

The Lifespan of Roaches in an Empty House

Roaches can survive without food for a month. So as long as they are hydrated, roaches can survive and thrive in empty houses.

Roaches being cold-blooded animals, also allow them to quickly shift their body temperature to adjust to the surroundings.

Roaches can lower their temperature during cold months to survive without eating. This slows their metabolism.

On the other hand, the warmth from the roaches’ bodies during hotter temperatures provides the pests with more energy to survive without food.

But one thing to know about these pests is they need water. Roaches should have their water intake at least once a week to continue thriving in empty houses.

Otherwise, expect these creatures to die. It’s the same reason why these pests prefer going into moist and wet corners of your house.

Why Roaches Can Survive in Empty Houses

Roaches are likely to survive in empty houses because there’s almost always water anywhere.

There’s a chance these empty houses have water spillages and leaks in various areas. Also, windows may have condensations, enough water supply for roaches to survive.

And because no one is home to take care of the leaks, roaches will continue to take advantage of these and get their water intake from those gaps and holes.

Also, remember that adult roaches can feed on young nymphs and eggs. This means it’s easy for these pests to find something to feed on even when the house is empty.

What Roaches Can Feed on in an Empty House

If there’s anything great about roaches, they can eat almost anything.

It’s also the same reason why roaches can enter empty houses and make it out alive.

Some of the most common things roaches feed on are food crumbs, scraps, and even pet food. But it’s not limited to those. Roaches can also eat the following:

Hair
Dead Skin
Animal droppings
Fingernail clippings

And if all else fails, roaches can be flexible and versatile enough to look for other sources to feed on.

As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. Even female roaches will eat their eggs to survive. While it’s the last resort, roaches can also eat their fellow young to thrive and live in empty houses.

Additionally, roaches can create a wide variety of nutrients they need to live because their fat tissues can create and secrete almost all the vitamins they need.

The only nutrients they should seek are cholesterol and choline, which are fairly easy to look for in the environment.

How You Can Keep Roaches Out of Your Empty House

Nobody wants to come home to an empty house invaded by roaches.

So what can you do to not experience this?

It all boils down to how well you perform preventive measures.

Perform a Deep Cleaning

This is especially essential when you will be out of your house for a long time.

Do a thorough deep cleaning of every corner of your house. Ensure that there are no leftover food crumbs or stains scattered, and empty all the garbage cans before leaving.

Aside from throwing out the garbage, do a deep vacuuming or sweep off every floor in your house. Don’t forget to include the darkest and deepest corners of your room. After vacuuming, mop the floors to ensure that they are perfectly clean.

You should also check your house for potential leaks, spillages, and cracks that should be caulked or sealed before leaving.

Remember that roaches are tiny pests, so they can use whatever gaps or holes to enter your home. Cracks are also potential spaces for water leaks, so always consider those when sealing using sealants.

Empty the Refrigerator Water Pan

Most refrigerators have water pans underneath the appliance. It’s where water drips and accumulates over time.

If it’s not your habit to empty the water pan regularly, check if there’s any liquid before leaving your house. Throw away if there are any.

Always keep in mind that roaches need more water than food to survive, so the water pan is an ideal location for them to satisfy their thirst.

Use Borax

Sprinkling borax powder is also a preventive measure to keep roaches away.

This powdery substance can instantly kill pests, including roaches.

Borax can attack the roach’s digestive system and kills the creature in no time.

You can scatter some borax powder behind cabinets where it’s dark and moist.

You can also try mixing the chemical with sugar to encourage roaches to feed on the mixture.

Protect Your House While You’re Away

You should still be a responsible homeowner even while you’re away. This includes preventative methods to protect your empty house from pests like roaches.

Roaches can survive in empty houses as long as they can find potential water sources. That’s why you must regularly check your property for leaks, cracks, and gaps that should be immediately covered.

Deep cleaning is also essential to throw away potential garbage, food crumbs, and scraps which can turn into the roaches’ food sources.