Are Hissing Cockroaches Dangerous?

If you have ever seen a hissing cockroach on the TV, you might have thought that it was a frightful bug. Unlike most other cockroaches, the hissing variety is flightless and can’t survive in cold temperatures. Despite their cute and funny looks, these pests can pose a serious threat to human health. The main reason is that they are able to carry and transmit bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

These insects produce their characteristic sounds by forcing air through their modified spiracles on their abdomens. Male cockroaches make hissing noises to attract a mate and warn other insects of their presence. In fact, a whole colony of these critters can make the sound in unison.

Hissing cockroaches can be as large as 4 inches. They have long spiky legs and smooth antennae, and they live in damp and moist areas. These pests can eat practically anything, and a small colony of these creatures can eat a carrot in 24 hours.

The female hissing cockroach will lay eggs in a long case called an ootheca. It will produce two or three dozen nymphs during a gestation period. Once a nymph hatches, the female will molt its old exoskeleton and grow a new one. The process is called an instar, and a nymph can go through six instars before it becomes fully mature.