How Fast Does a Cockroach Grow?

A cockroach’s life cycle is divided into several stages. The first is called the nymph phase, which requires five to fourteen molting periods. During this stage, the cockroach grows much smaller than its adult counterpart. It may also be lighter in color and move faster than the adult. At this point, it is ready to reproduce. Cockroaches are usually found in sewers and kitchens, where they scavenge for food.

Cockroaches can survive for up to a month without food and water. They scavenge everything they can find. Roaches also consume rotting meat and other materials found in homes. Some species are known to travel on pipes and shared surfaces. Because cockroaches do not clean up after themselves, they are a potential source of food poisoning. These bugs can also carry bacterial infections, making them dangerous to humans.

Cockroaches are born from eggs that are about one half inch long and are identifiable by their brown bands. During their incubation period, they lay between six and fourteen eggs, and they hatch after about 28 days. They live for up to 13 to 45 weeks, and they are much smaller than their adult counterparts. Cockroaches have the ability to reproduce quickly, which means that they are one of the fastest-growing pests in the world.

Cockroaches molt multiple times, each of which produces an entirely new exoskeleton. This process lasts between a few months and about a year, depending on the species. When these molts are completed, the cockroach reaches its adult size.