Why do cockroach smell awful?

Why do cockroach smell awful? Cockroaches have an odor, but it's not all that strong, compared to some insects, such as crickets. It's mostly waste and the decaying bodies of dead roaches, so if their habitat is kept clean, the smell is greatly minimized. Their diet contributes to the odor. read more

While most species of roaches only stink when in sufficient numbers, a single German cockroach (Blatella germanica) is capable of offending the nostrils on his own. These roaches, common to homes in Europe and the United States, deliberately emit a nasty pong as part of their daily routine. read more

Male cockroaches have glands that produce secretions for various purposes. These glands are called “stink glands”, and are present on the 5th and 6th abdominal segment of the insect. read more

You would get rid of the smell by cleaning up the poo (and dead roaches and roach parts). If it's a infestation in a house, that means its under and behind furniture, in cracks, in the walls, in the crawlspace. read more