What Do Baby Cockroaches Look Like?
A good way of controlling bug infestations is to know exactly what bugs you are dealing with, and exactly what does a baby cockroach look like.
What does a baby cockroach look like, you ask? In this case, if you believe your home has cockroaches or cockroach babies, then the best idea is to identify them quickly and get rid of them as soon as possible. Knowing what baby cockroaches or baby nymphs look like, can prevent the outbreak from spreading and ultimately help get rid of them faster and more efficiently. Also, a sure sign you have a problem, besides seeing cockroach babies, is seeing cockroach egg sacs or casings. To learn more on all pest’s eggs and what to look for, check out our post on What do Pest Eggs Look Like.
So, to answer the common question we get asked, what does a baby cockroach look like? In general, there are many types of cockroaches, nevertheless, all cockroach babies share similar features such as:
- Light color – Often seen as white or seafoam grey, this is when the young cockroach molts and is seen without its exoskeleton. At this point, the roach is particularly weak and vulnerable and is quite rare to be seen. Further, as they grow, the color changes gradually into a darker brown.
- American cockroach babies are about 1/8″ in size, and the more prolific German baby cockroach are smaller, about the size of a pin head.
- Wings – A practical way to find out if a cockroach is a baby or an adult is to search for wings. If the roach does not appear to have wings then that means it is still in the nymph stage. The adult roach has a pair of wings, unlike the baby.
- Hard shell – instead of wings, in their place, there is a tough exterior shell to protect it.
- Legs – All roaches, young or adult have 6 legs.
- Antennae – Each cockroach, again, both young and adult have 2 long, slender antennae.
- Cerci – Almost like a second brain to cockroaches and other insects. They are located at the rear of their bodies. They are not so distinguishable in the cockroach babys due to their size.
- If you’d like to see the actual cockroach anatomy, click here.
How baby cockroaches differ slightly by their specific types, and what does a baby cockroach look like by their type:
As mentioned above, there are many breeds of roaches and each of them can have different characteristics. Here are some of the most common baby cockroach varieties and differences as they mature:
- Baby German Cockroach: The German cockroach appears as if almost separated into segments. The German cockroach is generally oval-shaped, the size of a pin head and white when hatched but, becomes quite dark in color as it matures. The color varies from brown to dark brown and sometimes even to black! A flat, tough head is also displayed on the German roaches.
- Oriental Cockroaches: Young Oriental roaches are quite light in color which darkens as they mature. They are more reddish-brown, unlike the German variation. Baby Oriental cockroaches are usually 1/4 inch in length.
- American Cockroaches: 3 tough segments to look out for. The also start white or clear in appearance when hatched and darken to a deep brown color or reddish-brown. The American Cockroach baby is small, around 1/8″ or less in length.
- Brown-banded cockroach: As the name suggests, the most obvious features of this cockroach are the 2 wide light brown band behind their head. They are tiny, usually around the size of a single rice grain, about 1/8″. The brown-banded cockroach is usually a tan or brown color.
Now that we have answered your question, what does a baby cockroach look like, and why you should consider getting rid of baby cockroaches as soon as possible.
They often contaminate food, kitchen utensils, and other household items, and they leave an unpleasant odor. Because cockroaches can move quickly and freely from filth to food, they can transfer pathogenic microbes, germs, organisms, and bacteria that cause food poisoning and other illnesses. Many people are also highly allergic to cockroach excrement and their shed skins..
If you are worried about cockroach babies, and the nasty bacteria, germs, pathogens and organisms they may be leaving around your home. Or worried the reason you may not be feeling well all the time is because you have, or may have cockroaches in your home?