Why Do Bugs Die on Their Backs? The Science Behind the Roll of Death
Chances are that most times you’ve seen a dead insect, it was face-up, lying on its back. This begs the question: why do bugs die on their backs?
As Birmingham’s trusted experts in integrative pest management, we are well-equipped to answer this question. To learn more about the “roll of death,” just keep reading!
Why Do Bugs Die on Their Backs?
It’s not a coincidence that the dead bugs you’ve seen were lying belly up with their legs in the air; that’s the “position of flexion,” and most insects die in it. This “roll of death” can occur for a few reasons:
They Got Stuck That Way by Accident
An obvious but less prevalent reason bugs die on their backs is that they get stuck in that position and cannot roll back onto their feet.
Even though insects tumble and fall on their backs often and can usually maneuver their way back to a standing position, they occasionally get caught where there’s no way out, and they die from starvation or the inability to sustain some other need for survival.
Their Legs Gave Out While Dying
When an insect, like a roach, starts dying, it no longer has the strength to stand and support its weight. This forces its legs to relax and curl up, causing its weight to shift to the heaviest part of its back, making it fall on its side and flip over. This is called entering the “position of flexion” or the “roll of death” and is the most common reason an insect dies on its back.
Another very similar cause of the roll of death is a lack of blood flow to the legs instead of them simply “relaxing” into the position of flexion.
Their Nervous System Is Compromised
As we mentioned in the “They Got Stuck That Way by Accident” section, bugs sometimes fall on their backs. If they’re not injured or stuck in some way, they can topple back on their feet and move on. However, there are times when a bug is not necessarily “dying” in the first place, but it accidentally ends up on its back and cannot get up due to a compromised nervous system.
There are a few reasons insects can have problems with their nervous systems, but one of the main causes is pesticides, which cause them to convulse until they perish. As a homeowner, you should find the susceptibility of insects’ nervous systems to damage from pesticides and insecticides as a good thing. Once the pesticides override an insect’s nervous system, there’s no hope for them to continue terrorizing your home.
That sounds a bit sad, but as a homeowner, you have every right to defend your home, self, and family from any invasions, including those from insects. Plenty of other insects are worth conserving and appreciating in their natural habitats in the great outdoors—especially here in Alabama, the fourth most biodiverse U.S. state.
Birmingham’s Top Pest Control Experts
Whether you’re finding dead bugs or signs of living ones invading your home, lawn, or other property, call Vulcan Termite & Pest Control!
Our team of integrative pest management professionals has proudly devoted the last 40+ years to families in Birmingham and nearby communities with the practical, lasting, and comprehensive solutions they need to end pest problems on their property—and we’re not going to quit any time soon.
Call (205) 663-4200 or contact us online today, and we’ll gladly perform a FREE evaluation and create and implement an effective strategy using our tried-and-true methods so you and your family can enjoy a pest-free home.