Why Do Cockroaches Come Out to Die?
If you’ve ever wondered why cockroaches come out to die, you’re not alone. A professor of entomology at N.C. State University explains what causes the cockroaches to turn over. The insect’s nervous system is compromised when it dies, resulting in its flipping over. This means it loses all its muscle strength and eventually topples over.
Although you can’t see dead cockroaches, they will often be hiding in your kitchen cabinets and other dark places. This can be a good indication that you have a roach infestation and need to take action. The dead roaches will release a chemical known as oleic acid. This chemical has a foul odor and can attract other roaches from a distance. That’s why removing dead roaches from your home is essential.
Although cockroaches don’t always come out to die facing the sky, this behavior is usually caused by some type of threat, such as a predator. Because cockroaches live in the wild, they are easy prey for these predators. But in the home, they are protected from predators. The largest roach is found in South America and can grow to six inches long, with a one-foot wingspan.
Cockroaches do not die easily – a drowning roach can survive for up to 30 minutes in water. Despite their shortened lifespan, cockroaches can survive for weeks or even months without food or water. They can also survive being decapitated by decapitation. This is possible because cockroaches do not have a mouth, and they breathe through holes in their body segments.