Can A Cockroach Fly Or Jump? Air Roach!

We all know that roaches can scurry pretty quickly across the floor. Sometimes they scurry straight toward you when you flip on the light. Weird!

But can a cockroach fly or jump?

Yes, some species can fly, glide, and jump. However, not all roach species can fly or jump due to their relatively high body mass. Most of us have witnessed these unwanted visitors crawling around dark spaces, and some might get shocked when they see one fly.

The last thing you want in your household is flying pests that can easily contaminate food and other surfaces.

To get a better understanding of these expert scavengers, we’ve put together this look at roaches in the air.

Let’s take off!


Can A Cockroach Fly Or Jump? 

There are about 4,600 different cockroach species today and no one has a really good sense of how many roaches there are in the world at any given time. Most all species have multiple wings, but only a few use them for moving around.

The species that can fly can only do so for short distances, and at most times they prefer to crawl. 

The species that can fly can only do so for short distances, and at most times they prefer to crawl. 

Most roaches don’t necessarily fly to reach higher heights, but instead use their wings to glide from a higher surface to a lower level.

That said, there is a roach species known as the leaproach that uses its hind legs to jump to higher surfaces. It looks a lot like a grasshopper, but it’s a roach. More on the leaproach below.

This leads to the question, do all cockroaches fly? 

There are several cockroach species known for flying over short distances, such as the American, Australian, Asian, and Cuban cockroaches. The German species, however, do not fly at all (they’re too busy quickly breeding).

Also, there are wingless species such as the Madagascar hissing cockroach and Oriental cockroaches that lack wing pads for flying. 

The best way to determine a flying cockroach is one with well-developed wings that give it abilities to fly or glide.

Here’s a complete list of the flying cockroaches:

  • Periplaneta Americana (American cockroach)
  • Blattella Asahina (Asian cockroach)
  • Periplaneta fuliginosa (smoky brown cockroaches) 
  • Supella longipalpa (Brown-banded cockroaches) 
  • Panchlora Nivea (Cuban cockroaches) 
  • Australian cockroaches (Periplaneta australasiae)
  • Pennsylvania wood cockroaches (Parcoblatta Pennsylvania) 
  • Megaloblatta (Megaloblatta longipennis)

The other species is the leaproach which uses its highly modified legs to propel the body up and forward. It operates in the same manner as a grasshopper. This insect has a special fixation point for the antennae that helps it stabilize as it shoots itself in the air.

These powerful legs give it the ability to leap 50 lengths of its body. However, the good news to some people is that the only place you can find the leaproach is in the Nature Reserve in South Africa. 


Why Do Roaches Fly? 

Studies show that these flying cockroaches prefer crawling to gliding because of the design of their bodies. These pests are not good fliers, but are very fast runners. However, some instances force them to opt for the flying alternative, such as: 

1. Self-protection

The main reason why roaches fly is to escape from a threat. As much as you dislike them, cockroaches have many natural other predators that want to harm them, and the best way to seek safety is to glide away. 

2. Food And Shelter 

Another essential reason is to seek food and shelter. They cover short distances in search of these essentials in a rather strategic manner.

For instance, they can easily climb on a tree and then glide over the roof to look for habitat in the decaying leaves in your gutter. 

3. Search For Mates 

During the mating season, it is common for the males to become active in flying as they take short trips trying to find a mate. They become attracted to light, and you’ll find them gliding outside your house or circulating illuminating lamps. 

Many other reasons can trigger the flying behavior of cockroaches. These insects have a strong sensing ability, and once they feel they are under major pressure or identify greener pastures, they can use their wings to adapt to the situation appropriately. 


The Downside of Flying

Flying is very “expensive” for a cockroach in terms of energy and calorie expenditure. If they can avoid using their wings, it’s better for them to do so, as lifting their whole bodies off the ground is a huge energy expenditure.

But if they’ve got no other choice, many roaches will use their wings to get away.


Are They Dangerous? 

Roaches aren’t dangerous in the sense that scorpions are dangerous. They won’t bite you, they won’t sting, there’s no risk of death. But they roaches may harbor bacteria, and many find their presence irritating to the lungs and allergies.

The situation becomes worse if they choose to fly since there are higher chances of them contaminating food and drinks. 

Their main habitat is in the drain and other filthy places filled with bacteria. These pests feed on anything in the garbage and carry various pathogens. If they come into contact with food or utensils, they are known to cause cholera, typhoid, food poisoning, dysentery, etc. 

Another reason to avoid these crawling pests is that they can trigger allergies and cause asthma. Their flying nature tends to activate at night, and their invasion can go unnoticed. A larger infestation of these disease-causing agents can lead to a more serious situation. 

Another reason to avoid these crawling pests is that they can trigger allergies and cause asthma. 

Therefore, it is your responsibility to keep your home and children safe from these insects, whether flying or crawling. Here’s a quick guide to help you out: 

Step 1

Identify the roach’s lair in your home. These insects tend to occupy dark areas in the kitchen and around the garbage space, anyplace with plentiful food and some water. 

Step 2

There are various treatments and ingredients available to help you get rid of these insects and their eggs. For instance, one can choose to use boric acid for a quick and powerful effect, although it is also not safe for humans.

Other safer and more reliable methods include sprinkling baking soda + sugar powder in the hiding spots or spraying a fabric softener solution. 

Step 3

After getting rid of the crawling menace, prevent future infestation through sanitation and sealing. This process involves keeping your space always clean and cutting out their food and water supplies, for example, fixing leaking pipes, and sealing under doors, windows and around pipes. 

If You Don’t Want To Deal With The Infestation Yourself

If you know you’ve got a roach infestation, often it’s best to call in a professional and not try to deal with it yourself. Roaches can multiply very quickly and can be difficult to get rid of.

Often it’s better to just bring in the pros.


Conclusion

There are over 4,000 identified cockroach species. Only a few of them can really fly, and the leaproach is the only species known to jump. Their do use their wings to glide pretty frequently, and their gliding abilities pose a higher risk of food and utensils getting contaminated.