The most common species of cockroaches that infest homes don’t typically make noise. The cockroach noises you might hear may just be their little legs scurrying around inside your cabinets or walls or rummaging through your trash. However, cockroach sounds each serve a different purpose in their behavior and communication for cockroaches not found in the United States. So, what cockroaches make noise, and how can you identify cockroach sounds?

Watch this video on cockroach sounds

Cockroach crawling on wood

Why and how cockroaches make noise

Roaches make noises for different reasons. Sometimes, cockroach noises are made during courtship and mating. This is called "stridulation," where a male cockroach creates a chirping noise by rubbing its pronotum against the costal veins. In other instances, roach sounds are produced during an interaction where the insect feels threatened. This can happen not just with predators but also by encounters with other roaches, particularly between two male cockroaches or in situations of overcrowding within infested areas of a home.

The science behind these roach sounds can vary by species. Some cockroaches make noise through stridulation, as mentioned above, while others release air through respiratory openings to produce hissing sounds. The volume and intensity of these cockroach sounds can vary, but humans are capable of hearing them, especially at night when other noises are minimal. However, the cockroaches found in the United States typically do not make these purposeful noises.

What do cockroaches sound like in my home?

In most homes, cockroach sounds are not the purposeful noises associated with their behaviors. Instead, what you're more likely to "hear" from cockroaches is the sound of their activities as they move about your home. This can include a soft scratching or scuttling as they navigate through the dark, confined spaces of cabinets or the rustling sounds they make when rummaging through trash. These cockroach noises are usually subtle and may be more noticeable at night when there is less background noise to mask their presence. While these sounds may not carry the specific purpose of communication or mating like the noises made by some other species of cockroaches, they can nonetheless be a telltale sign of a cockroach presence in your home.

Two cockroaches together

What to do if you think you hear roaches in your home

If you suspect roaches have invaded your home, it's essential to take immediate action. Start by checking for common signs of roach infestation, such as droppings, egg cases, musty odors, or physically seeing a cockroach. Early detection is key to preventing a full-blown infestation. By staying alert to the presence of roach sounds, you can protect your home from these unwelcome guests.

Call Terminix to silence these pests for good. With one of our annual pest control plans, PestFree365 or PestFree365+, you can protect your home from cockroaches and up to 39 other common household pests.1

1 Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Automatic payment sign-up is required for PestFree365+. Voles and fire ants are only covered if they are in the home, we will not treat the lawn. Homes must be free of bed bugs at the initial service to qualify for coverage of bed bugs under the PestFree365+ Plan. Applies to single-family, free-standing, owner-occupied homes only. Account must be in good standing. Other limitations may apply. See Plan for details. To see our Covered Pests, visit Terminix.com/pest-control/pestfree365