Commercial and Residential Pest Control Services | Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co., Inc.
Like many other insect pests, such as termites, bed bugs, and ants, cockroaches reproduce rapidly and can cause an infestation in a home or business in a shockingly short period of time. Because they are also difficult to kill using home remedies, and enjoy hiding in dark, out-of-the-way places, cockroaches also have lots of time to reproduce and make an infestation worse. Here’s what you need to know about the life cycle of a cockroach.
Cockroaches have a unique ritual for mating. The male shows off to the female by flapping its wings, exposing its abdomen, and even nibbling at the female. Once the two have mated, the female will create a tan-colored egg capsule or case called an ootheca that can hold anywhere from 16 to 40 eggs, depending on species. It then finds a dark, secluded spot and glues the ootheca to a surface with saliva to allow the eggs to incubate.
Once cockroaches finish hatching, they become known as nymphs, and they immediately begin growing. Cockroach nymphs undergo several developmental stages, known as instars, before reaching their adult stage, shedding their exoskeletons as they grow. Immature cockroaches are commonly white or cream-colored when they hatch, but over time, they become their mature black, brown, or gray coloring. A nymph cockroach will molt several times before becoming an adult.
Once cockroaches become adults, the process starts over, assuming they can find food and water and are not eradicated from their chosen location. Adult female cockroaches often live longer than adult male cockroaches, but the length of time for each is dependent on species.
Cockroaches are tough insects, difficult to kill and completely eradicate from a home or business. That’s why it’s best to call the professionals if you have a cockroach infestation. At Dodson Pest Control, we have over 75 years of experience dealing with cockroaches, so we can create a customized plan to get rid of them for you.
