What purpose do cockroaches serve in the ecosystem?

Question

Do they help things decompose faster? Does anything eat them? Do they help clean up things?

Answer 1

They are decomposers however they are not the ultimate decomposers (bacteria are the final and ultimate decomposers). Many animals from lizards and small snakes to birds and many mammals eat them. And yes, they do help clean up things.

Answer 2

Rats eat them

Answer 3

Actually roaches provide  a huge source of food for predator insects such as scorpions, spiders,  crickets (some species are very carnivorous), centipedes, praying mantises, and other carnivorous insects.  In additon, some animals prey on roaches such as lizards, birds, and birds.  So, they fill a gap in providing a ready food source for a variety of animals and insects.  As far as a helpful role in the ecosystem (other than being prey).  They do not provide any helpful benefits.   Roaches are scavengers  and scavenge on rotting and filthy sources of vegetation and decaying meat.   Because of this, they can also be plague carriers of various diseases.  Which goes to show you how helpful they are to society.