How Does a Cockroach Change Skin?

Cockroaches shed their skin several times during the life cycle. They can shed up to five times before becoming adults. During the shed process, cockroaches can leave behind chew marks on objects. Some will even chew through book pages or leather. So, when you see a cockroach, you can bet it’s been there. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of them.

A cockroach’s exoskeleton is made of a molecule called chitin. It’s soft when it first forms, but becomes harder as it dries. As a result, it changes color. This means that a cockroach can be white for a short time, then turn back red or brown. This process may cause the cockroach to die during the molting process.

A cockroach’s skin begins off white and gets darker with each molt. Depending on the species, it may take a couple of days, a few weeks, or even a year to fully develop. During the molting process, a cockroach sheds its skin six times. It emerges with a cockroach-shaped body and wings.

A white cockroach, or a cockroach that has just hatched from an egg, is an indication of a cockroach infestation. While it may seem unusual, it is a sign that a full infestation may be underway.