The pod transmits electromagnetic waves which seemingly control the parasites and the monster. In Cloverfield/KISHIN, the parasites are able to resonate with Kishin Aiba's anger via the 'Remnant of God' pod inside of his body. Rob later wounded a parasite by swinging a fire axe into its body, leaving it unable to pursue them. Rob's group was able to knock Human Scale Parasites around by kicking them, with Marlena also swinging a metal pipe, although it is unclear if they seriously harmed the creatures. Pouring water on the wound speeds up the internal explosion, as shown by Marlena, who exploded 20 minutes after the bite, whereas most victims died within 20 to 40 minutes. When a human is bitten, the parasites' saliva or venom causes the victim to feel disoriented, bleed from the eyes, inflate and have their stomach explode. Marlena about to explode as a result of an HSP's bite Bite As a result, they attempt to eat him and his fellow students.

Following his change of heart, he is no longer able to influence the parasites. He almost uses them to kill his bullies until his classmate, Aiko Sasahara, convinces him to stop. Following Kishin Aiba's emotional breakdown, he is able to control both them and Clover through the 'Remnant of God' pod inside of his body.

The parasites terrorize citizens during Clover's rampage. Rob plunged a fire axe into it and they escaped as it flailed in pain. Later, as the group descended from Beth McIntyre's apartment, a parasite ambushed them from the ceiling. As the group was arguing with the military, a dead parasite was seen being transported in a glass case as the group entered the medical area. As a result of the bite, Marlena started to feel nauseous, bleed from her eyes, and eventually explode internally from the chest, shortly after the military found the group inside of an abandoned mall. The group managed to fend them off and escape, but one bit Marlena as she saved Hud. Three parasites later attacked Hud Platt, Marlena Diamond, Lily Ford, and Rob Hawkins in a dark subway tunnel. military first responded to Clover's attack on New York City, several smaller parasitic creatures fell off its body and immediately attacked nearby soldiers and civilians. The substance, described by the American Food Association as a 'high-grade stimulant', was also a prized ingredient in the Slusho! beverage sold by Tagruato. Prior to Tagruato awakening their giant host, Clover, they fed on Seabed's Nectar in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. They are extremely aggressive, attacking humans on sight. The Human Scale Parasites usually hunt in packs and prefer enclosed spaces to surprise and trap their prey.

Parasite in the city gallery gif