How Long Do Cockroaches Live?

Cockroaches can live up to a week without a head, but when they are exposed to extreme temperature or food shortages, their lifespan is drastically reduced. In fact, about 40% of American cockroaches will die if exposed to temperatures between 46 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a prolonged period of time. At these temperatures, they enter a hibernation-like state and lose all organ function within 72 hours.

The lifespan of cockroaches varies from species to species. Oriental species tend to be longer-lived and reproduce more frequently, although males often live up to 180 days longer than females. During the juvenile stage, a cockroach will spend between six to twelve weeks developing. It may live for another year or two after that as an adult. Cockroaches can produce 150 additional insects during their adult life.

Upon reaching full maturity, cockroaches molt once, but in some species it can take anywhere from six months to over a year to reach full adulthood. By the time they reach adulthood, they will have grown to approximately one and a half to three inches in length.

The first step in eradicating cockroaches is to identify their breeding locations. In some cases, they may be hiding in a corner. In order to find these hidden areas, you can place gel bait in the areas where the roaches are active.

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