Cockroaches have three stages in their life cycle: eggs, nymph and adult. Adults are ½ inch- 5/8 inch long light to medium brown with two dark distinctive stripes behind the head.The young cockroaches, or nymphs, are wingless,
and usually only a few millimeters long ; they are white on hatching but darken within a few hours. They grow in stages by repeatedly shedding the cuticle or skin. They are fully grown after several months to more than a year,
depending on the species. Females produce one egg capsule every 3-4 weeks. Each capsule contains 25-45 eggs. The female will carry the egg capsule with her until it is ready to hatch. The young (nymphs) will be able to breed
in as little as 36 days. Adult German roaches can live up to one year. They are mostly active at night; in the daytime they hide in cracks and crevices in walls, door frames and furniture, and in secure places in bathrooms,
cupboards other electric devices, drains and sewer systems, If they are seen during the day, it is usually because their hiding places are overcrowded due to a large population or there is a shortage of food and water supply.
Any crack or crevice located near a source of food and/or water is prime harborage, and they spend about 75% of their time in such harborages.
Size
Adults are ½ inch- 5/8 inch long
Color
Light to medium brown
Cockroaches infested areas:
Infestations are generally found in kitchens and bathrooms,but can inhabit other areas if there is a heavy population. Cockroaches eat a great variety of food, including all food used for human consumption. They prefer starchy
and sugary materials. They sip milk and nibble at cheese, meats, pastry, grain products, sugar and sweet chocolate. They also feed on cardboard, book bindings, ceiling boards containing starch, the sized inner lining of shoe
soles, their own cast-off skins, dead and crippled cockroaches, fresh and dried blood, excrement, sputum, and the fingernails and toenails of babies and sleeping or sick persons.
LIFE CYCLE
