Do Cockroaches Make Noise?

Unfortunately, many species of cockroaches do make noise.

If they’re around your home long enough, chances you’ll start to hear them as they crawl around and interact with each other. It pays to be alert and vigilant. Don’t wait for the infestation to get so bad you’re hearing them regularly. It’s more likely you’ll notice other signs first, and you can fix the issue long before you start hearing them.

What Sounds Do Cockroaches Make?

You might be familiar with the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, a species famous for its, well, hissing. But several other species of roaches make different sounds. Other common noises include clicking and chirping.

Why Do Cockroaches Make Noise?

Like most animals, roaches do it to communicate. Their chirps and clicks are mating calls, warnings to rivals or attempts to ward off predators. If the infestation is big enough, you may hear them communicating with each other and sizing rivals up.

Can You Hear Cockroaches at Night?

Roaches are nocturnal, so if your problem is bad enough, you may hear them at night as they run into each other looking for food or mates.

Do All Species Make the Same Noise?

No. Most roaches primarily chirp and click. Trying to identify your cockroach species by sound will likely be an exercise in futility. It’s safe to assume that if you’re hearing roaches, it’s time to take some drastic action.

What to Do If You Hear Cockroaches

If you hear them, there’s a good chance you’ve got an infestation. Make note of when the sounds began and where you hear them. Look for evidence of cockroaches, like feces resembling coffee grounds, a strong oily or musty smell, or — the telltale sign — dead ones. Then start setting traps.

If the problem seems to be growing or feels too large to tackle on your own, it’s time to call an exterminator.