Why Do Cockroaches Turn Upside Down?
WouterCockroaches do not always die on their backs. Some die by playing dead while others try to turn themselves upright. The roaches that are killed by insecticides turn upside down because the chemicals block their spiracles. In this position, they cannot get enough air and die.
A cockroach’s abdomen is hard and it’s difficult for them to turn around again if there’s no object on the floor or table to support them. They’ll try to turn back around once the danger has passed. This behavior is called thanatosis.
A cockroach may be hiding from a pest. It could be an isolated insect or a member of a colony. It may also be a scout. It may have accidentally been brought inside from the outside. Cockroaches are attracted to glue from envelopes and other materials. They prefer dark and wide spaces.
Upon detection of cockroaches, you can use insecticide to get rid of them. Several species of cockroaches are considered household pests. Cockroaches usually mistakenly enter domestic premises and then cannot turn themselves right. The insecticide disorients the cockroaches, causing them to make their way out of their hiding places.
Cockroaches can survive pesticide treatments and can live for a couple weeks. This allows the chemicals to kill the cockroach but not kill it completely. This causes the legs to contract and the cockroach to fall over.
