Cockroach Feces

picture of a cockroach

Cockroach Droppings Appearance

Cockroach feces are easy to identify. Droppings from small cockroaches resemble ground coffee or black pepper. Larger roaches leave behind dark, cylindrical droppings with blunt ends and ridges down the side.

Rodent vs. Roach Feces
With a closer look, homeowners can tell the difference between rodent and cockroach feces. Mouse and rat droppings have pointed ends, while cockroach poop does not.

Cockroach Feces in Homes

Cockroaches are omnivores, and the pests are not fussy about where they get their meals. Garbage, sewage, carrion, and crumbs are all fair game. As a result, their digestive systems retain disease pathogens from anything they’ve eaten. These microbes then leave the pests’ bodies within cockroach poop.

Like most insects, cockroaches don’t concern themselves with bathroom hygiene. The pests defecate in or near whatever they eat. When cockroach droppings pollute pantries, kitchen surfaces, or poorly sealed food containers, all the bacteria the insect has consumed may be spread to people.


In addition to cockroach feces, the pests’ body parts, saliva, and cast off skins can trigger allergies as well as asthma attacks. Symptoms often worsen when fans or HVAC ducts cause this debris to become airborne.

What Do I Do if I Find Roach Droppings?

If you find cockroach droppings in your house, vacuuming and cleaning affected areas with soap and warm water helps prevent disease and may reduce allergic reactions. However, cleanup without proper protective gear can also lead to infection.

Contact local Orkin pest control professionals to deal with cockroach infestations in a safe, effective manner.