If cockroaches we see living in our kitchens, bathrooms, and the sewers are such hardy creatures, why don’t we see large populations of them in gardens and woods where there’s plenty of moisture and food?

Question

If cockroaches we see living in our kitchens, bathrooms, and the sewers are such hardy creatures, why don’t we see large populations of them in gardens and woods where there’s plenty of moisture and food?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Cockroaches are hardy, fast animals that can move fast and get in the nooks and crannies of our houses. Plenty of refuge, food, easy access, and very importantly stable temperatures and weather.

In nature – they’re fast-moving meals, and house cockroaches can get big and therefore big targets. Birds, reptiles and stuff that see them will be thankful for the meal.

Just as an anecdote, in my land (Portugal) like 50+ years about, people would be buying little tortoises to keep at home because they’d dispatch roaches and stuff.