How Long Do Cockroach Eggs Lay Dormant?

Cockroach eggs are brown pill-shaped capsules that hatch from the female’s ootheca. They can be anywhere from 8 to 12 mm long. They usually hatch after about 50 days, depending on the type. The lifespan of roach eggs depends on the species.

Some cockroaches do not molt, and carry their ootheca until a few days before hatching. Others, however, will leave their egg case in a safe location before nymphs emerge. Some of these species do not need the female to be close to the egg case until after the ootheca has been dropped.

A few cockroach species have different hatching times, including the Oriental roach, which can take as long as 50 days to hatch. The timeframe is dependent on temperature and humidity, and the type of substrate. Cockroach eggs will not hatch if they are dehydrated too much.

Cockroach eggs have a short lifespan, so it is important to remove them before they hatch. Depending on the species, their eggs can be as small as a half-inch in size. These eggs are generally laid in wooden closets or cabinets with food.