The Life Cycle of Cockroaches & How to Combat Them
Among the most reviled pests on Earth, cockroaches have adapted to rely on human structures for food and shelter. These dirty pests frequently infest both residential homes and commercial buildings, contaminating them with potentially dangerous bacteria and allergens. Common species of cockroaches found in North Carolina include the American, German, oriental, and brown-banded cockroach. All of these species go through the same three basic stages of life: egg, nymph, and adult. Understanding what they look like and how they behave in each stage can help you exterminate the pests from your home. Continue reading to learn more about the life cycle of cockroaches and how you can get rid of them.
Stage 1: Cockroach Eggs
Cockroaches lay multiple eggs in a pill-shaped case known as an ootheca. After being impregnated, female cockroaches will lay the ootheca in a safe place. In your Raleigh home, expect cockroaches to lay their eggs in such spaces as under the fridge and beneath the sink - anywhere dark, humid, and preferably moist. An ootheca may contain anywhere from 16 to 40 roach eggs, with German cockroaches laying the most eggs at once. How long it takes for cockroaches to hatch from the ootheca will vary by species, but it will generally take one to two months. Temperature may be a factor.
Stage 2: Cockroach Nymphs
After hatching from their eggs, cockroaches will be in a stage of development known as nymphs. These juvenile roaches generally resemble adults, aside from being smaller, though there may be telltale coloration differences as well. Cockroach nymphs will usually molt - a process that involves shedding their shell to grow larger - a dozen times or more before reaching adulthood. Because nymphs lack fully developed wings, they cannot fly like most adult roaches can. A cockroach's nymph stage may last from about nine months to over two years, depending on species and environmental factors. Roaches spend the majority of their lives as nymphs.
Stage 3: Adult Cockroaches
Upon reaching maturity, cockroaches will achieve their full size and some will gain the ability to fly as their wings fully develop. The size, color, lifespan, and flight capabilities of common adult roaches in Raleigh are as follows:
| Species | Size | Color | Lifespan | Flight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | 1.5 inches | Red-brown | 1 year | Yes |
| German | ½ inch | Light brown | 3 months | Yes |
| Oriental | 1 inch | Black | 6 months | No |
| Brown-banded | ½ inch | Brown | 6 months | Males only |
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Raleigh
Your first line of defense against cockroach infestations should be to keep your home clean, particularly your kitchen. Roaches often target the kitchen, feasting off of dirty plates in the sink and crumbs on the floor. By cleaning your kitchen regularly and storing all food in airtight bags or containers, you'll make it less likely that local roach species will target your home.
If you've been noticing cockroach activity in your home in Raleigh, you may want to invest in products to exterminate the roaches directly. Chemical sprays can be directly applied to roaches to kill them instantly, with some rated as safe for indoor use. You can also purchase bait traps that will lure roaches in with a poison bait that kills them after ingestion. Place these bait traps in areas that experience high cockroach activity, such as under the sink and beneath cabinets.
When do-it-yourself methods fail, then it's time to bring in a cockroach control company to end your infestation with professional extermination techniques. At Sustainable Pest Systems, we know how to remove roaches at all stages of life from your home so that you'll never have to see these revolting pests skittering across the floor again. Give us a call today if you're in need of cockroach control services in the greater Raleigh area!