Some cockroaches make noise through stridulation, as mentioned above, while others release air through respiratory openings to produce hissing sounds. The volume and intensity of these cockroach sounds can vary, but humans are capable of hearing them, especially at night when other noises are minimal.
Instead of creating noise as they rush about, you will hear them chirp or hiss. These sounds may be heard from within your walls, indicating a cockroach infestation.
Chirping, also known as stridulation, can serve a similar purpose, though it is often also a sign of males courting females. Be careful to distinguish between the sounds made by roaches versus other insects. For example, the chirping sound made by roaches is quite unlike that made by crickets or beetles.
Leftover Crumbs or Food Debris: Cockroaches will target crumbs left on countertops, floors, and shelves, so any unexplained food bits may be a sign of roach activity. Stains or Smears on Food Surfaces: Look for unusual stains or greasy smears around food areas, as cockroaches often leave these marks while foraging.
Spread of Eggs
The number one reason to not squash a cockroach is to prevent spreading cockroach eggs. Some cockroach species, such as the German cockroach (common species here in the UK) carry their egg cases (ootheca) on their body until just before they hatch.
If you touch a cockroach, you risk becoming infected with some serious diseases, including bacteria that cause dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, cockroaches commonly transmit these diseases to humans: Salmonellosis. Typhoid Fever.
Center of gravity: Cockroaches have a high center of gravity and a rounded back, which makes them prone to tipping over. Once a cockroach is upside down, it struggles to gain traction on flat surfaces, making it hard to flip back over.
Some strong scents, such as lavender and mint, have been known to repel cockroaches.
Generally, the presence of discarded skins and feces are indicative of a nest, with other telltale features including a large number of dead roaches, egg cases, dark spots, and smears. Egg cases are usually brown and less than a quarter of an inch long. Each case can house 40 or more baby roaches.
Beetles: The common ground beetle is often mistaken for a roach because of its coloration and stocky body. Further inspection of a common ground beetle will reveal that the segmentation between its head, thorax, and abdomen is more prominent. A roach, on the other hand, has a more smooth, round-looking body.
Ultrasonic Cockroach Repellents
There are electronic devices that emit high-frequency sound waves that act as cockroach repellents. These devices emit sound in the 22-65 Khz range which is inaudible to humans but can be detected by certain pests, including cockroaches.
It may surprise you to know that cockroaches are, in fact, able to bite humans. There have been reported cases of cockroaches biting fingernails, eyelashes and calloused skin on hands or feet. Cockroaches will also eat dead skin cells. However, cases of cockroach bites are extremely rare.
Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil is a natural insect repellent that can help to keep crickets away. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray it around your home. Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is another natural insect repellent that can help to keep crickets away.
Instead, what you're more likely to "hear" from cockroaches is the sound of their activities as they move about your home. This can include a soft scratching or scuttling as they navigate through the dark, confined spaces of cabinets or the rustling sounds they make when rummaging through trash.
Cockroaches are attracted to various factors, including food, water, shelter, and warmth. They are particularly drawn to crumbs, spills, and food residues, especially starchy and sugary items. Moisture-rich environments like leaky pipes and standing water also attract cockroaches.
Ultrasonic pest control devices emit high-frequency sounds, beyond the range of human hearing. This purportedly affects a pest's nervous system. Cockroaches, by the way, detect these sounds through special hairs.
Some factors that can attract cockroaches to a clean house or apartment include: Moisture. Leaking sinks and appliances create conditions in which roaches thrive. They offer a readily available source of water and warm, sheltered spaces that provide the ideal harborage for cockroaches.
Cockroaches won't go away on their own.
Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.
Cockroaches are blessed with an amazing sense of smell. This is what they use when seeking food and mate but at the same time, this is also their weakness. A cockroach's sense of smell can be used to get rid of them.
Hence, stepping on and crushing a cockroach using your foot is not a good idea, as it can cause its bacteria-carrying gut juices to splash around your floor. Aside from carrying bacteria and viruses, cockroaches also contain a protein that serves as an allergen for numerous people.
American cockroach life cycle
A female American roach can produce up to 224 offspring. American cockroaches go through 10 to 13 instars before reaching maturity. Adult males can live up to 362 days, whereas adult females can live more than 700 days.
A cockroach can feel the change in air current and change in the surroundings, and when they encounter us, they look in their surroundings, looks for a place from where they can escape, and then chase you, scare you, and make a run toward the escape. They use this strategy against many other predators.