Cockroach eggs

All cockroach species go through three distinct stages in their life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult. Female cockroaches lay egg cases or sacks known as ootheca which can hold multiple eggs inside. The number of eggs per ootheca varies depending on the species.

Although it's not as common as finding live cockroaches that roam around your property, finding cockroach eggs is the strong indication that you have a cockroach infestation. Nevertheless, the correct cockroach eggs identification remains important to get to know which cockroach species you are currently dealing with.

If you worried about a cockroach problem in your home or business, contact Rentokil for fast and responsive cockroach control solutions.

What do cockroach eggs look like?

Since each cockroach species has different physiological and biological ways of reproducing, thus the cockroach egg size, colours and appearance will look different depending on the species.

German cockroach eggs

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is the most common cockroach species found throughout the world, and able to live near humans.

Their eggs have a typical tiny, brown, and purse-shaped capsule egg case with 8 mm approximately long. The female German cockroaches can produce between 20 - 40 eggs in a single ootheca. 

American cockroach eggs

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) are widely distributed around the world and mainly lives in tropical and subtropical areas. Their eggs are dark brown in colour, and roughly 38 mm long in size. A female American cockroach lay 14 - 16 eggs in a single ootheca.

One thing that distinguishes this type of cockroach with the other is the ability of a female American cockroach to mate once to produce multiple oothecae since they can store the sperm on their organs.

Australian cockroach eggs

The Australian cockroaches (Periplaneta australasiae) are quite similar to American cockroaches - except their body is smaller and darker. Their eggs are about 9 mm in length and are reddish-brown in colour. A female Australian cockroach can produce about 22 - 24 eggs in a single ootheca during her lifetime.

How long do cockroach eggs hatch?

• German cockroach eggs: At ideal room temperature, female German cockroach eggs will hatch approximately within 30 days.
• American cockroach eggs: At ideal room temperature, female American cockroach eggs will hatch into nymphs approximately within 56 days.
• Australian cockroach eggs: At ideal room temperature, female Australian cockroach eggs will hatch approximately within 30-40 days.

Where do cockroaches lay eggs?

In general, female cockroaches will lay their eggs in locations that are safe and hidden from human reach.

The following is the differences between each cockroach species in lying their eggs:

• The German female cockroaches are very protective of their eggs and will carry it on for several weeks on the back end of their body until the eggs are ready to hatch. They prefer to lay their eggs in dark, warm, and humid places, including crevices of kitchen cabinets or near bathroom sinks.
• The American female cockroach lays their eggs on hard surfaces like cupboards, cardboard, and other materials close to their food sources. These types of cockroaches are known to glue their eggs on the hard surfaces which make it so hard to find and remove.
• The Australian female cockroaches eggs typically deposit on a sheltered and tight area such as moist wood or bark of trees. This makes their ootheca harder to find and remove.

Do cockroaches lay eggs in clothes?

Cockroaches can lay their eggs everywhere, and did not rule out the possibility of also laying their eggs in your clothes inside the dresser. In severe infestations, cockroaches may spread to many areas or places at your property, including your bedroom.

Cockroaches are often found living and breeding inside your wooden dresser, as it offers good shelter and food sources for them.

Are cockroach eggs dangerous?

The short answer to this question is yes. Some people may become allergic to cockroaches after getting exposed to proteins derived from the excrement, shedding skins, eggs, and saliva of them.

Other than asthma and sinus infection, cockroach eggs can trigger allergies symptoms from mild to severe, including:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Red and watery eyes
• Nasal congestion

Best way to get rid of cockroaches

The best way to get rid of cockroaches is to enlist the help from a professional pest control service like Rentokil Pest Control to manage the cockroach infestation and also to prevent them in the future.

If you need help with your cockroach problem, contact us to get a free quote from one of our experts today!