Finding Dead Roaches: Why Only Corpses in Your Home?

Why am I finding dead roaches in my house?

In this article, we’ll delve into the various reasons why you might only encounter lifeless cockroaches within your living space.  

Why Do I Keep Discovering Deceased Cockroaches in My Home?

Discovering a sudden influx of lifeless cockroaches within your living space can raise questions about the underlying reasons.

The demise of these insects might be attributed to various factors that are affecting their survival and presence within your house.

We’ll delve into the possible causes behind the appearance of dead cockroaches and shed light on the intriguing behaviors that can lead to this phenomenon.

6 Causes of dead cockroaches at home

Finding only dead cockroaches in your house is a sign that you are either succeeding at killing them or there is something that is killing and eating them. below are 6 reasons why you may keep finding only dead roaches in your house.

Cockroaches playing dead

It is interesting that cockroaches play dead and this helps them a lot in survival. When you surprise a grown roach, it can hold its breath for several minutes to trick you. After your sweep it away, it will bounce back on its feet and flee for safety.

You may think that you are only finding dead roaches but instead, they are just tricking you.

Naturally, cockroaches do not like too much light and this is why they only come out at night after you have switched off the lights. When you suddenly open the lights and they scatter for safety, some of them may fall on their backs.

This is when they will act dead so that you leave them alone.

Rat infestation will make you find dead roaches

An increase in the number of dead roaches at home means that you have rats in your house and they are starved.

If there are rats in your house and they cannot find food, they will resort to eating insects and roaches because they are an easy meal that will satisfy them fast. Yes, it will be an advantage that the roaches are dying out but the rats will be another thing you may want to deal with.

This is because after they are done eating the roaches, they will start to eat your clothes, carpets, curtains, and other valuables that you really like.

>> Read more: How to know if roaches are in your laptop

House lizards & geckos will make you find dead cockroaches  

Cockroaches are one of the house lizard’s favorite meals especially when they are starved. If you have lots of geckos and house lizards at home, they will start hunting down cockroaches at night.

You will then notice cockroach wings all over the place since lizards have an of leaving them behind after eating the roaches. Using cockroach spray to kill lizards will also make you find only dead roaches at home.

There are other types of roaches that produce milk for their young ones and those are the ones that predators love to eat.

They are a rich source of proteins and sweet to the predators at the same time. This makes them irresistible to mice and house lizards including the geckos.

Rats and house lizards can survive on female cockroaches that lactate alone because they have enough supplements that they need. They are also rich in vitamins and amino acids which will keep their predators alive and healthy.

Dead roaches can be a sign of fire ant’s invasion

Fire ants will never spare anything with meat including cockroaches. In fact, they will kill feed on them as they sweep the area for any food. If fire ants gain access into your house or garage, they attack any crawling insects.

So if you find dead roaches and other crawling insects, then you may want to check the trail and ensure that those deadly ants are not camping in one corner of your house.

Simply follow their trail since they will always eat while on the move and leave the evidence behind.

When you suddenly find several dead cockroaches both in the house and outside, it means that the ants were killing and feeding on them while on the move.

Dehydration

When cockroaches are dehydrated, they will even come out during the day to look for water because they cannot survive for long without it.

If you keep the house dry and they have a good hiding place, you will only find dead cockroaches because they will crawl out and die in the open while trying to look for water.

It is not easy to starve roaches to death because they are cold-blooded and can stay for over a month without food.

This means that during that window, they shall have secured a meal and there are very minimal chances that they will lack since they scavenge eat almost anything.

However, it has been studied and proven that they cannot go for more than 7-8 days without water.

Dehydration is one of their weakness and they will even move out of your house if there is no dark, moist area that they can hide in. This is one of the reasons why they like hiding in water dispensers, drainage, toilet, and under the sink.

Cockroach infestation

If you keep finding dead cockroaches only in your house, it means there is a rise in the number of roaches that are breading in your place.

You should therefore consider moving things like cookers and checking the dark areas of your cupboards for signs of any eggs that they keep laying. Those bugs breed so fast and you may want to learn how to eliminate them as fast as possible.

Changing the type of dish soap that you use may also flush them out because roaches hate soapy water and this will make them come out of the drains to die out in the open. 

Furthermore, cockroaches can die from coming into contact with electrical appliances such as air conditioners and indoor washing machines while they are in operation because roaches have a strong tendency to crawl into these machines. 

Do Dead Cockroaches Attract More Roaches?

Yes, they do! When a cockroach dies, it emits oleic acid, a foul odor that actually attracts other cockroaches.

Does One Dead Roach Mean There Are More And There Is An Infestation?

Discovering a single dead cockroach does not necessarily indicate an infestation, as these pests can occasionally enter a home individually.

However, it’s a good idea to remain vigilant and conduct further inspections to rule out the possibility of more cockroaches.

Frequent sightings of live cockroaches, droppings, or other signs such as egg cases are stronger indicators of an infestation.

If you suspect an issue, consider seeking professional pest control assistance to assess and address the problem.

What To Do If You Find A Dead Cockroach in My House? 

A bunch of dead cockroach within your living space can be unsettling, and it’s important to handle the situation with care. Even in death, roaches can carry germs and pathogens, so proper disposal is crucial to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. Here are some steps to take when you encounter a dead cockroach in your home:  

• If you stumble upon a deceased cockroach, using a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment can be an effective way to remove it. Make sure to clean the vacuum afterward to prevent any lingering odors or contamination.  
• If you prefer to handle the cockroach directly, it’s recommended to wear gloves to minimize contact with potential pathogens.  

• Carefully place the dead cockroach in a sealed plastic bag. This prevents the spread of any secretions or remnants from the roach.  
• Seal the plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash. Double-check that the bag is tightly closed to prevent any potential escape of germs.  
• If you find one dead cockroach, take a moment to inspect the surrounding area for any additional deceased roaches. This could indicate a potential infestation that needs to be addressed. 

>> Read more: How do roaches get in your apartment: Causes and Solutions.

How Do You Get Rid Of Dead Roaches?

People think that leaving a dead cockroach on the floor will help lure out more and subsequently eliminate them. However, the reality is that cockroaches are highly resilient and reproduce rapidly. To effectively tackle the issue, taking proper steps to get rid of both live and dead roaches is essential.  

When you encounter a dead cockroach, it’s best to swiftly dispose of it following the steps mentioned below. Leaving a dead roach out in the open can attract other cockroaches and potentially exacerbate the infestation. 

1. Use pest control products such as chemical sprays or roach poisons. These products are designed to target cockroaches and their nests, helping to eliminate them at the source. 
2. Keep your living space clean and free of food debris, as cockroaches are attracted to food sources. Regularly wipe down surfaces, vacuum, and take out the trash promptly. 
3. Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and crevices. Seal these entry points to prevent new roaches from infiltrating your space. 
4. If the infestation is severe or persistent, consider seeking the assistance of professional pest control services. They have the expertise and tools to effectively manage cockroach populations. 

>> Read more: German cockroach treatment

Conclusion

By understanding the potential reasons behind finding dead roaches in your house and the steps to handle them, you’re better equipped to ensure a cleaner, healthier living environment.

If you found this exploration into finding dead roaches informative, you’re invited to uncover more insights at Pestweek—where we’re dedicated to shedding light on the mysteries of pest-related dilemmas.

Calina Mabel

Calina Mabel has over 15 years of experience in the field of journalism and communications. Currently, Calina Mabel is the Content Writer for categories such as Cockroach, Ants, Bed Bugs, Mosquito, Rodent, Termite, and Flies on Pestweek.com. She aims to build content for these categories with a focus on providing valuable and accessible information to readers, in order to create the world’s largest knowledge community about Pests.

All content written by Calina Mabel has been reviewed by Emily Carter.