Before we dive deeper into this topic, let me ask: Do you know what a cockroach nymph is? If not, then this one is a must-read for you.
To begin with, a nymph is the newly hatched egg of an insect; it has some semblance of an adult though wingless.
Concerning roaches, when a female cockroach lays eggs, they are enclosed in casings called oothecae; each ootheca depending on the species, contains from 10 – 40 eggs.
Unlike mammals or some animals, cockroaches do not tend their young; they instead lay the eggs near food items, so when they become cockroach nymphs, they forage them.
Fascinating right? Please keep reading to know more about them.
Everything about Cockroach Nymphs
The Incubation period
Birds are known to incubate their eggs themselves; for instance, the chicken spends about 21 days incubating its eggs before hatching.
Cockroaches do not incubate their eggs; the egg capsule (ootheca) is hidden and can take up to 24 – 38 days before hatching.
Though the eggs are kept in places with average temperatures, the ootheca regulates the temperature of the eggs.
Some roach species, like the German roach, interestingly do not lay eggs; they carry the ootheca in their bellies until the hatching period.
Suppose one squashes a pregnant German roach, a bloodline of roach is exterminated, and one is invariably saved from the infestation that could have been caused.
Metamorphosis to Adulthood
Maturation varies in different roach species; the Oriental cockroach nymphs can take up to 600 days to mature into an adult.
Apart from this species determinism, other environmental and nutritional factors play significant determiners to roach nymphs’ maturation rate.
A roach’s growth rate can be determined by how regularly it feeds; some species, like the American roach, mature into adulthood in months if they are fed well and the environment is friendly.
As nymphs morph into adults, they undergo a process of skeletal shedding known as moulting.
To moult is to shed the outer skin (exoskeleton) for a new one.
Usually, before moulting, a new skin forms behind the outer skin; once a roach moults, it hides somewhere cool to enable the new skin to dry and thicken.
Characteristics of a Roach Nymph
A roach nymph is still developing; it may look like an adult roach but doesn’t yet possess all adult organs.
It is sexually inactive.
It is wingless
It moults- It’s the last moult is when it matures fully into an adult
Roaches and Bites
A roach generally will not bite humans because they perceive human movements as threats, but in extreme infestation cases, roaches bite people when there is limited food availability.
Roaches have been particularly noticed to have bitten those at sea for reasons that border on inadequate food supply.
Their bites are irritative and can cause swellings.
Nymphs are not totally immune from biting humans when there is extreme infestation and inadequate food; nymphs may bite eyelashes and fingertips.
Getting Rid of Roach Nymphs
For every roach you see around, scores of other oothecae are hidden in inconspicuous places around the house.
This is why you probably are worried that the more you kill and squash them, the more they appear.
If you find them around, the best way to get rid of them is by targeting the eggs; look for them in dark hidden places in the house.
This is because the eggs hatch into the many nymphs that metamorphose into adults, laying eggs for new roaches.
The best way to get rid of roaches is by keeping your environment dry and clean; ensure food wastes are appropriately disposed of as roaches are attracted to a wet and dirty environment, so you don’t want to give them that pleasure.
Exterminate Roach Nymphs with Pest Control
Now that you know about roach nymphs if you spot even one in your house, there is a high probability of facing a cockroach infestation.
In such extreme cases, it is always recommended to hire a licensed exterminator to deal with this problem more skillfully and permanently while delivering the desired results.
Final Words
As discussed above, if you spot roach babies or nymphs inside your house, you should seek professional exterminators’ help since they know the common cockroach hideouts and can successfully eliminate their eggs and nymphs.
However, to avoid this problem, ensure that you keep your house well-cleaned and spotless and seal up every crack and crevice in your walls to prevent them from gaining access inside.
Apart from this, you can utilise many other home remedies and DIY solutions like peppermint oil for roaches, bleach to kill cockroaches, etc., if you spot one or two scurrying away in your home.
We hope you have a roach-free year ahead!
