Can laser pointers kill bugs?

Question

The standard red beam laser pointers. I have an iBeam that is hooked up to my ipod. I was pointing at a cockroach that was jumping around and then it just stopped. I threw a shoe right next to it to see if it would move but it didn't.

Answer 1

It saw the bright light and like all roaches it hates light. So it stopped to decide which way to run. The beam in a pointer is so weak (to avoid liability and labeling issues) that it can't harm anything.

Answer 2

That was 3 hours ago, has it moved yet. Why was it jumping, cockroach's don't jump much. It wouldn't surprise me if it froze due to the red light but it won't hurt them.