How Long Does It Take for Cockroaches to Reproduce?

No other insect is more reviled by homeowners than the cockroach. Cockroaches have been known to contaminate food, cause allergies and trigger asthma attacks, carry disease-causing bacteria, and bite and enter body parts.

And when a colony of these insects get into your home, you will face an uphill battle because of their ability to reproduce at an incredibly fast pace. How long does it take for cockroaches to reproduce? That depends on the type of species that has found its way inside your home.

Although entomologists have classified over 4,000 species of cockroaches around the world, in America, there are four species that can be commonly found inside the home. Here’s a brief overview of these four as well as their breeding habits.

German cockroach

German cockroaches have one of the shortest lifespans among cockroaches found in North America. These roaches live for only 20 weeks. However, German cockroaches compensate for that with their fast maturity rate. Unlike other species of cockroaches, German cockroaches can already start breeding a few weeks after hatching. In fact, a single female matriarch can produce a population of 35,000 roaches. That is more than enough to infest an apartment building.

American Cockroach

The American cockroach is known for its chestnut color and is the largest of the four species found in American homes. Homeowners should be particularly wary of these roaches because of their habit of breeding in sewers which make them vectors of germs and bacteria. The American roach can live for about 30 months and start breeding in 15 months. During the peak of their reproductive capabilities, females produce two egg cases which contain up to 16 eggs. The eggs will then be incubated around six to eight weeks. During her lifetime, a single female roach can produce up to 150 young.

Oriental Cockroach

This species of cockroach can be found in the Northwest, Midwest and Southern parts of the country. These insects grow to about one inch in length and have a dark brown to black color. Oriental cockroaches can live somewhere between 34 to 189 days. During that timeframe, a female can produce eight egg capsules, with each capsule containing 16 eggs. The female will then deposit her eggs in a warm place after carrying the capsules between 12 hours and five days.

Brown-banded Cockroach

This cockroach is characterized by its two brown bands that extend across its body. Unlike the other cockroaches, the brown-banded cockroach flies and prefers dry habitats. The females can live up to 45 weeks and carry the egg capsules for 30 hours before depositing these into hard-to-reach areas. A single capsule contains 13 eggs. Over the course of its lifespan, a female will produce 14 egg capsules.

The best way to prevent or eliminate cockroaches from your home is to contact your local Modesto pest control company at AAI Pest Control.