Discover Why Cockroaches Come Out at Night

Cockroaches are an ancient creature and have been on earth for millions of years – a lot longer than humans! There are thousands of species but only around 30 of them are found around human habitats and in our houses. These are the cockroaches that you may have seen coming out at night in your home. They are not the most popular animals and people usually associate them with dirt and the spread of disease. So, let’s find out why they emerge at night.

Why Do Cockroaches Come Out at Night?

Cockroaches come out at night to look for something to eat or to look for a mate when they are less likely to be disturbed by a predator. Human houses have plenty of sources of food for roaches and because they are nocturnal, nighttime is when they get hungry. They are most active just before midnight and are typically seen running along the floor looking for crumbs.

Research has shown that roaches have little movement during daylight. Once it gets dark, however, their activity increases. It reaches a peak in the middle of the night. They are then immobile for a few hours as night ends and throughout the day. Their patterns of activity are controlled through hormones. The production of the hormones is affected by light levels in the environment.

Why Do Roaches Like Nighttime?

Over millions of years, roaches have evolved to feed at nighttime because it offers them several advantages. Firstly, they can detect their predators more easily. It’s quieter and roaches can tell if they are being followed! Also, many of their predators (which include several small mammals) are diurnal which means that they sleep at night. This makes nighttime much safer for their prey.

Secondly, it is cooler and cockroaches function better at lower temperatures. Also, it’s much easier for them to locate an appropriate partner and mate during the nighttime when they are not so likely to get interrupted.

Are Cockroaches Scared of Light?

You may have noticed cockroaches scuttling into the corners of your kitchen when you turn on the light. This is not because they are scared of light, it is because you have startled them, and they are running for cover. They have learned that a sudden burst of light means danger. It could mean that a predator has unearthed their hiding place. Exposure to short periods of light isn’t harmful to them but they would just rather move around in the dark.

At the same time, constant light can hurt roaches. It interferes with their circadian rhythm which controls their sleep pattern. Experiments where cockroaches had paint applied over their entire head, showed that they were happy to run around in both light and dark conditions!

Where Are Cockroaches During the Day?

So if cockroaches only come out at night, where exactly are they during the day? Unfortunately, kitchen appliances are a favorite place for them to hide out in. Roaches commonly hide behind microwaves and behind fridges and ovens. These are warm and moist areas and get regularly showered with food crumbs! Roaches are also often found in kitchen cabinets and some are even small enough to make it through the gaps in your keyboard meaning that they can be set up at home on your computer!

Pipework is another favorite hiding place for cockroaches because it is dark and warm. If there are some drips or leaks then that’s even better because it gives them a source of water. Cockroaches have also been found in sofas and chairs and this is an ideal place for them to lay their eggs. The bottom line is that they can be found in any nooks and crannies around your home. The more cluttered it is, the more hiding places there are!

Does Leaving the Light on Keep Roaches Away at Night?

Opinion is divided on whether leaving the lights on at night keeps the cockroaches at bay. Some people think that it deters them from emerging from their hiding places. Others are adamant that the cockroach’s desire to feed will overcome their aversion to light.

Research has shown that some cockroaches dislike the light more than others. Some gather near windows and on television screens. However, most of the time they would prefer to avoid light.

Because cockroaches produce a chemical called an ‘aggregation pheromone’, they are very attractive to each other. This is why you often find clusters of cockroaches in favorite hiding places.

Do Cockroaches Crawl Over People at Night?

Yes, cockroaches may crawl all over you while you are sleeping. You are just another obstacle for them to get over. They will not avoid humans and will crawl over us looking for food. Bearing in mind that they are attracted to warm, dark areas it is no surprise that they have been found crawling into people’s ears and mouths. There are even media reports of a live cockroach being removed from a woman’s ear. Many people find it almost impossible to sleep if they know that cockroaches are crawling around their homes.

When Are Cockroaches Most Active?

Cockroaches have an activity state that scientists call ‘locomotion’. This happens during 12 hours in the dark. Their time of peak activity is in the middle of the night (around midnight) and after that, they start to slow down. If you want to sneak up on cockroaches in your kitchen, this is the best time to do it!

Do Cockroaches Sleep?

Yes, cockroaches enter a state that is comparable to human sleep. They don’t have eyelids so they can’t close their eyes. However, they do stay still and they can fold down their antennae which protects these delicate sensory organs whilst they are snoozing.

How Do I Know I Have Roaches in My House?

When you have a lot of cockroaches living in your house it is called an infestation. This may be obvious if you see them scattering when you get up at night and turn the light on. However, there are some other telltale signs. Cockroaches have a particular smell – many people describe it as a musty or oily odor. It will also get worse as more cockroaches are produced. You may also spot black or brown stains on surfaces – they may look like smears.  Larger cockroaches leave solid poop which are shaped like cylinders you may also find eggs or baby cockroaches.

How Do You Keep Roaches Away at Night?

The only way to stop roaches from coming out at night in your home is to get rid of the infestation. You can get an expert to help with this. However, you can help yourself a lot by having a thorough clean. If you get rid of their source of food, then you’re more likely to get rid of them. Try to seal up as many cracks in your skirting boards, doors, and walls as possible to prevent them from gaining entry. Fixing water leaks is also a good idea because it robs them of their source of moisture. Cockroaches like to have somewhere to hide so the more clutter you can remove the better.

Summing up Why Cockroaches Come Out at Night

Cockroaches come out at night because they are nocturnal and this is when they are most active. They reach their peak activity just before midnight and then start to slow down. Roaches have evolved to be more active at night because it’s easier for them to detect predators and they can find food and a mate in peace. They scatter when you turn the light on because they are startled and have learned that this may mean a predator is coming. However, leaving the light on at night may not deter them.