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

Predators. There aren’t lots of other animals trying to eat them in your house. The main tool humans have to kill bugs in their home is poison, which is coincidentally something cockroaches are pretty good at surviving. Also, cockroaches are not a native species in most areas, and can’t easily survive big temperature shifts like you get outdoors. Your house is going to be a pretty stable temperature year round, which is perfect for a cockroach.