Often, cockroach infestations sneak up on Mississippi homeowners. However, if you watch for the signs, such as a cockroach with eggs, they’re easier to deal with.
Throughout the world, there are 4,500 cockroach species. These omnivores have been around for millions of years, and they’re not going away anytime soon. It’s no wonder that they’re tenacious and highly pervasive!
While cockroaches look gross, there’s more to it than their disturbing appearance. They can harbor various viruses, bacteria, and at least six different parasites. With that, cockroach droppings are full of allergens and pathogens. They also have stinky feces, and they produce a scent that attracts more bugs to your house!
With all that said, it’s essential to know how to identify roach feces. It’s unlikely to see a cockroach with eggs scampering around. Plus, you can’t tell which roaches are female or about to/just laid eggs in most cases.
Characteristics of Roach Droppings
It’s also important to understand roach droppings and characteristics. Typically, if you have a large species, you’re sure to see bigger feces. For example, a German roach is smaller in size with a 0.5-inch-long body. Therefore, their excrement is smaller than an American cockroach.
Most Mississippi homeowners notice specks that look like black pepper or coffee grounds. As they dry, they could look like smeared or smudged flecks.
Why are we talking about roach droppings? Typically, that’s the first thing people notice. Though in the kitchen, you might drop some pepper, it appears odd to you. Upon closer inspection, you might see a bug and panic.
With that, you might notice dark smudges here and there. If you haven’t seen a cockroach with eggs (or without), roach droppings are the next sign that there could be a problem.
If you see them, clean them with a vacuum cleaner. Make sure that you wear disposable gloves and a face mask. Remove the bag and immediately take it outside for disposal. Once you’ve done that, disinfect the area and wash your hands!
Cockroach with Eggs – What They Look Like
Cockroach eggs are encased in a tiny container called an ootheca. Each one contains many eggs that hatch into nymphs (baby cockroaches). These small cases look like purse-shaped capsules and are often dark in color.
German Cockroach Eggs
German cockroach eggs often look white in the beginning and turn brown, dark brown, or yellow. Typically, though Mississippi homeowners see darker versions of the cases. With that, you can see the cockroach with eggs because this species carries the case closer to their rear end until they hatch.
The cases also have a vertical ridge pattern. Compared to the American roach, the eggs from German roaches are longer, but they’re also narrow and slim.
Each case can hold up to 50 eggs, which all hatch into nymphs. On top of that, the roaches lay up to eight cases of eggs throughout their lifetime.
Most of the time, the eggs hatch while the female roach is carrying the case (ootheca). Newborns have a white or transparent body, but this darks with each molting phase.
Typically, German cockroach babies have six molting stages. Once they’ve been alive for 60 days (two months), they can then mate and produce their own offspring.
American Cockroach Eggs
American cockroach cases are darker brown than their German counterparts. With that, there aren’t any ridges, and the capsules appear smooth and pouch-like. In fact, it looks bloated like it’s sure to burst soon.
You’re not likely to see the cockroach with eggs because American roaches don’t carry the egg sac with them. They deposit the cases near food sources, and the mother roach might glue the oothecae to various surfaces.
Female American roaches can produce up to 10 egg sacs a year. However, each one only holds 16 nymphs. Still, this species lives longer than German roaches, up to a year.
Once the ootheca hatches, it releases the babies, which have a white appearance. They quickly darken to the grayish-brown color that most roaches have. Typically, the babies molt up to 14 times. Wings often appear around the third or fourth molting.
Smoky-Brown Cockroach with Eggs
You could see a smoky-brown cockroach with eggs because they do carry them, but they might deposit the ootheca, as well. Adult female roaches hold the egg case for about a day and hide it. Typically, it’s reddish-brown or dark brown with tiny ridges along it.
Each case can hold 45 eggs, and adult females can lay many egg cases throughout their lifespan. However, they’re not as reproductive as other species and have lifespans of two to six months.
The babies take about 320 to become adults, as well.
Should You Worry If You See a Cockroach with Eggs?
Seeing one roach doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation, but it’s not likely to be the only one in the house. However, if you see a cockroach with eggs, this is problematic.
With that, it could be an American cockroach. The females can multiple using parthenogenesis, which is an asexual reproductive method. They don’t need males to produce their offspring.
However, German cockroach females require a male to reproduce, and it only takes one to produce up to 400 eggs throughout its life. Therefore, these are the most reproductive cockroach species.
It’s never a good idea to underestimate that roach you see in your Mississippi home!
Avoid an Infestation by Calling a Pest Control Company
You don’t have to wait until you’ve got a roach infestation. The moment you see any signs or see an actual roach, consider calling a pest control company that specializes in cockroach extermination.
Alternatively, you might want to check around your home to find the egg cases. They’re often small and hard to see, but that’s a good indication that you’re about to have an infestation. If you notice a lone cockroach with eggs on its back, call an exterminator!
Be vigilant about roaches in your Mississippi home! If you suspect that you have an infestation, it’s important to call immediately. Most professionals can be at your home within a few days. Ask about things you can do in the meantime to protect your property and avoid health issues.
If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.
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