Scientists use the word nymph when they talk about the German cockroach baby. It is the stage of the German roach's life when it grows and develops. In a normal infestation, more than ¾ of the roaches are babies or nymphs.
German cockroaches develop in a process called gradual metamorphosis. There are three stages – egg, nymph, and adult. The female roach carries the eggs attached to her body until they are ready to hatch. She deposits the egg case just before the eggs hatch. In fact, sometimes the nymphs come out of the egg case while it is still attached to the female roach's body.
German cockroach nymphs are very tiny insects. When they hatch from their eggs, they are barely visible. They hide in the crevices where they hatched. In those areas, the only food that is available is the droppings of the adult roaches. In many cases, that is what the tiny nymphs eat for their first few meals.
In order to grow, German cockroach nymphs must shed their skin. This process is called molting. Before they molt, the nymphs grow a new skin inside of the old one. The new skin is soft and white. They split the old skin and crawl out of it.
Many people think recently molted nymphs are “albino roaches”. It takes an hour or two for the new skin to harden and turn dark-colored. The nymphs usually molt six times before they are adult roaches.
During the nymph stage, the German cockroach baby looks very much like the adult roach. They have the same color and the two dark lines that identify German roaches. The nymphs do not have wings. Each time they molt, the nymphs look more like adult roaches. When the nymphs molt the last time, they have fully developed wings. The wings are a quick way to identify adult German roaches.
The German cockroach baby normally develops into an adult in less than two months. It can take longer if food is scarce. Homeowners who are fighting German cockroaches can start by eliminating the food that the roaches are used to eating.
Homeowners should put away leftover food promptly and wash dishes before going to bed. Food should be stored in containers with tight lids. The trash should be emptied regularly. Bottles and jars should be rinsed before they go into the recycle bin and the bin should be outside the house.
Cockroach bait is an effective tool for controlling German cockroaches. The bait must be refilled often so it doesn't run out. Frequent follow-up is necessary to eliminate these pests. Many homeowners prefer to have pest control professionals control German roaches.