Do Cockroaches Release Eggs When They Die?

Cockroaches are very irritating creatures, so when you find one in your home, you most likely want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Despite their name, cockroaches do not release eggs when they die. Cockroaches, like humans, rely on their lower bodies to send sensory cues to their head. Without their second brain, cockroaches will have a difficult time navigating the environment and finding shelter. They would likely starve or be eaten.

Cockroaches carry their egg cases under the abdomen. During an attack, they may have already laid eggs, but they did not survive it. Often, they will still have eggs in their ootheca, but the eggs will likely die before they hatch. This behavior is called oviparity. This means that the roaches will never give birth to hermaphrodites. If the roach is a female, she will lay her eggs in a safe location. This ensures the eggs are protected from disturbances and adverse weather conditions.

If you notice roach eggs in your home, you can use insect growth regulators to kill them. These insecticides work by stopping the molting process. These products also interfere with the production of chitin, which makes the cockroach’s exoskeleton.