Cockroaches have a variety of natural predators in the wild, including:

• Amphibians: Toads and frogs are known to eat cockroaches by using their long, sticky tongues to catch them.

• Reptiles: Lizards, such as bearded dragons, monitor lizards, and leopard geckos, are natural predators of cockroaches. Snakes that are small enough to survive on eating insects, like the rough green snake and the ringneck snake, are also known to prey on cockroaches.

• Mammals: Small mammals such as mice and shrews, as well as larger mammals like rats, opossums, and raccoons, will eat cockroaches if given the chance. Hedgehogs are also known to eat roaches.

• Insects: Certain species of spiders, such as the huntsman spider, praying mantises, certain types of beetles, and centipedes, will prey upon cockroaches. Some types of ants, including the invasive red imported fire ant (RIFA), as well as other fire ants and Argentine ants (black sugar ants), will eat cockroaches when they come across them in confined spaces. The emerald cockroach wasp, Ampulex compressa, has an unusual way of preying upon cockroaches. The wasp stings the cockroach’s brain, which paralyzes the cockroach. The wasp then takes the cockroach to its nest and lays its eggs on the cockroach’s belly. Once the young wasps hatch, they eat the cockroach as their first meal.

It is important to note that while these animals may eat cockroaches, they are not necessarily effective at controlling an infestation in a home. Proper cockroach identification is key to determining the best way to control an infestation, and professional support may be necessary.