Do Cockroaches Release Eggs When Squashed?

Cockroaches are not a very pleasant pest to deal with. They do not like light, moisture, or human activity, so they will try to avoid any possible predators by hiding in corners and cracks in the home. This means that squashing them will only solve the immediate problem and will not eliminate them completely. To eliminate cockroaches completely, use insect growth regulators (IGRs) or insecticides.

Although some people believe that squashing a roach will release its eggs, this is not true. Cockroaches store their eggs in a hard case called an ootheca. The case contains a protective layer of protein and is made to prevent the eggs from being harmed. The case can contain between ten and fifty eggs.

Cockroach eggs are made up of two parts: the ootheca and the oviposits. The ootheca contains the eggs and is approximately one-third of a centimeter in length. These nymphs have two yellow bands on their upper abdomen. They develop into adults within three to six months.

The exoskeleton of a cockroach acts as a framework for its muscles, tendons, and legs. Without this framework, segmented insects would crumble to pieces. In addition, cockroaches’ apodemes are stiffer than vertebrate tendons, and they can withstand hundreds of times their own weight. Moreover, their ability to squeeze through crevices as small as four millimeters is remarkable.