Cockroach Eggs: What You Need To Know

Need to get rid of cockroaches? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

Do Cockroaches Lay Eggs?

Female cockroaches do lay eggs, but not individually. Instead, cockroaches produce something called an egg case which resembles something like a little purse. Inside the egg case is two rows of embryos which face one another. The outside of the egg case, the ootheca, consists of a hard leathery material that protects the eggs. The ootheca works to protect cockroach eggs not only from predators, but also from insecticides. Over a two-week period of time, the growing baby, or nymph, cockroaches create enough pressure to force open the egg case at which time the cockroach nymphs emerge into the world. 

What Do Cockroach Eggs Look Like?

Cockroach egg cases are highly-visible, brown in color and about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch long. They are also characterized by a slight curvature, a crescent moon shape, sort of like a banana. The eggs are visible but look more like horizontal lines rather than what we traditionally think of as eggs. Each egg case contains somewhere between 30 to 50 cockroach eggs.

Where Do Roaches Lay Their Eggs?

Each specific kind of cockroach lays their eggs in different locations and at different times. In fact, if you know where and when the cockroaches in your home have laid their eggs, it might give you a large clue as to what type of cockroach they are. Most kinds of cockroaches will drop their egg cases in sheltered locations such as cracks and crevices of kitchens or bathrooms where they will be undisturbed and have access to moisture. Female German cockroaches carry the egg case on their bodies for much of the embryos’ development. American cockroaches and smoky brown cockroaches, on the other hand, drop their egg cases well before they’re ready to hatch and typically glue their egg cases to the surfaces on which they are dropped, which are sometimes walls or the underside of sinks. Brown-banded cockroaches are distinguishable by the fact that the females drop their egg sacs in clusters at the same time.

Discovering cockroach egg sacs in your home is a hallmark sign of potentially severe roach infestation, no matter when or where. Additionally, it’s a clear indication you need to contact an exterminator right away.

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If you are concerned about cockroach control for your home, please give us a call or fill out the form on this page. PestControlExperts.com is a team of experts who are highly qualified to provide the best recommendations for you and your home, no matter which part of the United States you live in.