German cockroaches need to go through several moltings (losing their exoskeletons), before they reach maturity, and during this early stage of their life, they are known as nymphs. Let’s take a look at the German cockroach in the nymphal stage and find out the impact it has on the pest control process.
What is a nymph?
The nymph is simply an immature German cockroach. It resembles the mature cockroach in appearance with two differences – the size, and the coloration, with the nymphs being darker. A nymph will molt for over a dozen times before it reaches adulthood. German cockroaches are part of the same family as termites, so they exhibit a similar, although much more rudimentary social behavior, with a large nest taking care of the nymphs until they reach maturity.
How small are nymphs?
When they hatch, nymphs are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. As time goes on however, the nymphs grow larger and larger. It can take up to a month for a nymph to emerge from its egg, and up to several months to a year, until the roach reaches maturity. At the mature stage, the roaches will live for an extra year before dying of old age.
What to do in case you see a German cockroach nymph
Seeing German cockroach nymphs indoors is a surefire sign that you have an infestation. It is only when a nest has started reproducing that the nymphs start to pop up, and since it takes a few months for the eggs to hatch and the nymphs to be large enough to be visible and out in the open, it is a sign that the infestation has been around for a while. As soon as you notice the nymph, it’s essential to call over a pest control pro to help you remove the infestation. German cockroaches can damage the home, spread pathogens and parasites, and even cause asthma and allergic reactions. A pest control pro will help you get the infestation under control quickly, and ensure that your home is safe from reinfestation in the near future.
If you have a German cockroach infestation in the home, we can help you out. Contact us today with any questions you may have, or to set an appointment for a cockroach control procedure.