Cockroaches are notorious pests known for surviving in a wide range of environments. While most people associate these insects with stealthy movements, an unsightly appearance, and the potential to spread disease, many may not know that cockroaches make noise.
One typical noise is the sound of their legs scurrying inside your walls and pantries; there are also roach species that make chirping and hissing sounds.
This article will explore whether roaches make noise, discussing which species can produce sounds, what types of sounds they make, and whether these noises cause concern.
Do Cockroaches Make Noise?
Yes, cockroaches make noise when they are active. These noises can be a valuable indicator of a potential infestation if you pay close attention. However, you cannot hear cockroaches scurrying unless you have a massive cockroach infestation.
What Noise Do Roaches Make?
Roaches make various noises like hissing and chirping.
It’s essential to distinguish between the sounds made by roaches and those made by other insects. So if you want to know if cockroaches are present in your home, keep an ear out for these sounds:
Hissing
Some species of cockroach, such as the Madagascar hissing cockroach, are known for producing a loud hissing noise by expelling air through their spiracles. This sound is often used as a defense mechanism to scare off predators or to communicate with other members of their species. There are various types of hissing noises produced by roaches. For example:
Female-attracting hiss: The male Madagascar hissing cockroaches are well-known for their ability to produce a loud hissing sound. The sound can be pretty loud, and it is often used by male cockroaches to establish dominance over other males and to attract females.
Aggression hiss: Some species of cockroach, such as the American and Oriental cockroach, are known to produce an aggression hiss when they feel threatened or cornered. This hissing sound differs from the female-attracting hiss and is used to warn potential predators or threats.
Disturbance hiss: Some household roach species, such as the German cockroach, may also produce a disturbance hiss when disturbed or threatened. This loud hissing sound is similar to the aggression hiss but is produced in response to a different type of threat.
The disturbance hiss is typically a shorter, quieter sound than the aggression hiss and is meant to alert other cockroaches to the presence of a potential threat.
Stridulating Sound
Some species of cockroaches are known for producing a distinct chirping sound by rubbing their wings together. This sound is primarily used as a mating call to attract females. Wild cockroaches like the Madagascar hissing cockroach are known to make the stridulation sound. Some species make the same sound when agitated or if they feel threatened by other pests or members of their own species.
In addition, some species of cockroaches, such as the Florida woods cockroach, are known for producing a distinct chirping or buzzing sound by rubbing their wings together. This sound is primarily used as a mating call to attract females.
While the chirping of roaches is unique and different from the sounds made by crickets or beetles, humans cannot hear the sound of roaches’ wings, even though some species can fly. Therefore, if you hear a buzzing noise, it is likely that some other kind of flying critter, such as a bee or wasp, is responsible.
Other Sounds
Roaches can also make scurrying noises while walking around; this depends on the material they are walking over.
Homeowners with a significant cockroach infestation may find that the noise level increases as the population grows. This is because more cockroaches can contribute to the sound and because the noises are typically produced through a collaborative effort among the insects.
Why Do Roaches Make Noise?
Roaches make noise because they are mating or feel threatened.
Roaches are generally silent insects but can make noise under certain circumstances. One of the reasons why roaches make noise is during courtship or mating; when the male roaches by rubbing their pronotum against their costal veins, males create a distinctive sound that attracts female roaches for mating.
Another reason why roaches make noise is when they are disturbed or feel threatened. This sound is meant to intimidate their predators.
What Cockroach Species Are The Noisiest?
The cockroach species that are the noisiest include the Madagascar hissing, Florida woods cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches.
While not all species of roaches in the United States are known for their sounds, those that produce noise can usually be heard in a quiet room or at night. Certain species can produce sounds and often emit a distinct chirping noise, particularly during stridulating.
Are Cockroach Noises Signs Of Infestation?
Yes, cockroach noises are a sign of infestation if heard frequently and consistently. The presence of these sounds may indicate a large number of cockroaches in the area. However, it’s important to note that the absence of cockroach noises does not necessarily mean no infestation because most species are silent.
Look out for other signs of roach infestations, such as shed skins, smear marks, egg cases, foul odors, and droppings that look like ground coffee, and seek pest control services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Cockroaches Chirp at Night?
No, not all cockroaches chirp at night. Only certain species of cockroaches can produce a chirping sound. However, they only make these noises when they are active. Therefore, noticing these noises at night can be a sign of a roach infestation.
Can You Hear a Cockroach Hiss?
Yes, you can hear a cockroach hiss. Some species of cockroaches, such as the Madagascar hissing cockroach, can hiss loudly via the spiracles on their abdomen. The best time to hear the roaches hiss is at night when there are few distractions and they are active.
Do Roaches Make Clicking Sounds?
Yes, roaches make clicking sounds. However, some species of cockroaches may make subtle tapping noises as they move around. These sounds are usually produced by the movement of their legs against a surface or by the rustling of their wings and can be confused for clicking depending on the material they are walking on.
If you hear clicking sounds, it’s more likely that other insects, such as beetles and cicadas, are producing them.
