Cockroach Nymphs | German & American Roach Nymphs

Before we dive deeper into this topic, let me first ask you- 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 with the adult though wingless.

cockroach nymphs

With respect to roaches, when a female cockroach lays eggs, they are enclosed in casings called oothecae; each ootheca depending on species contains from 10 – 40 eggs.

Unlike mammals or some animals, cockroaches do not tend their young; they rather lay the eggs near food items so when they become cockroach nymphs, they forage them.

Fascinating right? Keep reading to know more about them.

Everything about Cockroach Nymphs

Cockroach Nymph

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 themselves; the egg capsule (ootheca) is kept somewhere hidden and can spend up to 24 – 38 days before hatching.

Though the eggs are kept in places with average temperature, 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 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 a matter of 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 molting.

To molt is to shed the outer skin (exoskeleton) for a new one.

Usually, before molting, a new skin forms behind the outer skin; once a roach molts, 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 molts- It’s the last molt 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 are extreme infestation and inadequate food for them; nymphs may bite eyelashes and fingertips.

german cockroach and nymphs

Getting Rid of Roach Nymphs

For every roach you see around, there are scores of other oothecae 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 happen to find them around, the best way to get rid of them is by targeting the eggs; look for the eggs in dark hidden places in the house.

This is because the eggs that 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, then there is a high probability that you are 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.

To know more about this, fill the below-mentioned form to get free multiple quotes from the professional Pest Control Companies in your vicinity so that you can choose the best exterminator for your infestation problem.

Final Words

As discussed above, if you spot roach babies or nymphs inside your house, it’s highly advisable that you seek professional exterminators’ help since they very well know the common cockroach hideouts and can successfully eliminate their eggs and nymphs.

However, to avoid this problem altogether, ensure that you keep your house well-cleaned and spotless and seal up every crack and crevices in your walls to prevent them from gaining access inside.

Apart from this, there are many other home remedies and DIY solutions like peppermint oil for roaches, bleach to kill cockroaches, etc., that you can utilize in case you spot one or two scurrying away in your home.

We hope you have a roach-free year ahead!

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