When a cockroach's nervous system has been compromised by an insecticide, it can result in the insect flipping over onto its back. Because the roach is not healthy and is experiencing muscle spasms, it is less likely to be able to return to an upright position.

Do roaches die if they are on their back?

Without anything to hold them to the ground, their top-heavy bodies topple over and they die belly up, on their backs. Usually, only cockroaches that have been killed with insecticide die on their backs. This is because insecticide affects the nervous system, causing different enzymes to build up in the cockroach.

Do roaches sleep on their back?

Cockroaches do not sleep on their backs.