Do cockroaches shed their skin throughout their lives? Do they molt?
Yes, cockroache nymphs shed their skin several times during growth phase. They do this about a multiple times during different stages to accommodate the growth of their bodies. But full-grown adult roaches do not molt. Molting is the process by which animals, in our case cockroaches, shed their tough exterior shell after growing past their limits.Â
This life cycle affects humans in various ways, and today’s review highlights the following key areas:
- Can the molt get in the ears, mouth, or other parts?
- What are the health problems caused by roaches and their shells?
- How to effectively get rid of cockroaches and their molted skin
The exoskeleton is what holds the roach’s skeletal system. Most of us, at some point, have found these shells in various places in our homes, especially in hidden corners, under cabinets, and underneath furniture.
It’s easy to confuse a molted nymph husk with a dead baby roach. No matter which it is, you still want to deal with your roach problem! Let’s dig deeper.
Do Cockroaches Shed Their Skin? Does This Impact Humans?Â
As mentioned above, cockroach nymphs repeatedly shed their skin over the course of their growth, up to a dozen times. This means that if you have a large infestation, there could be thousands of cockroach husks around with no dead roaches inside!
Cockroaches repeatedly shed their skin over the course of their lives, up to a dozen times. This means that if you have an infestation, there could be thousands of cockroach husks around with no dead roaches inside!
The most common way the molted skin gets in contact with the body is by inhaling contaminated air. Pieces of these shells freely float in the air and quickly get deposited in the mouth, nose, or ears.
Did we mention that roaches do occasionally get into people’s ears. Lovely, right?
Another way is touching contaminated surfaces, areas where the roaches leave their skins or lay their eggs. And while roaches often die in a flipped-over, upside-down position, they usually molt in such a way that their husk remains right-side-up.
The newly-molted cockroach is usually a milky white color, and it will stay hidden while its new shell hardens. These creatures are most vulnerable just after molting.
The newly-molted cockroach is usually a milky white color, and it will stay hidden while its new shell hardens. These creatures are most vulnerable just after molting.
Below are some other ways cockroaches and their bodies can cause health problems.Â
What Are The Health Problems Caused By Roaches And Their Shells?
Cockroaches pick up bacteria as they crawl around dirty and dark spaces, such as decaying garden debris, a dirty room, or under a kitchen appliance. They are a species whose ideal habitat is in the most unsanitary places and are also common intruders in most kitchen spaces.
There are several ways that these bacteria-carrying agents affect one’s health, such as:Â
1. The Molted Skin Causes Allergies And Asthma
Cockroach allergy is a common condition that affects many people all year round. It is caused by the body reacting to the allergens present in the roach’s body, eggs, saliva, or molted skin.
The most common cause of these allergies and asthma is when the molted skin becomes air-light and settles in the mouth or nose, and the immediate effect is sneezing.
Other common symptoms include runny nose, itchy nose, mouth, or throat.Â
2. Cockroaches Carry Bacteria
Cockroaches carry bacteria that contaminate food causing salmonella, streptococcus, and staphylococcus. It is also possible for the molted skins to cause these conditions causing dysentery, cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid fever.
These are some of the internal complications brought about by these pests.Â
3. They Carry Parasites
Apart from carrying disease-causing germs, these roaches also have specific parasites such as tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and pinworms. The chances of the molted skins containing these parasites are slim; however, it is still a good idea to avoid them.Â
Cockroaches are insects you don’t want around your space! The good news is that as long as you clean up regularly (particularly food items!) cockroaches will be less likely to invade.
However, it is vital to learn the practical ways of getting rid of these disease-causing germs.Â
How To Effectively Get Rid Of Cockroaches And Their Molted Skins
There are several practical ways to try at home to eliminate these intruders or at least keep them at bay. This is because these insects reproduce very fast, and your home can be their home in just a few days.
But understand that a roach infestation can be a real headache, and if you have a bad one, it is best to contact professional exterminators to remedy the situation.Â
A roach infestation can be a real headache, and if you have a bad one, it is best to contact professional exterminators to remedy the situation.Â
The ideal control measure is to limit their access to food, water, and shelter. Give them no reason to want to be in your house. And here are some of the ways to do that;Â
1. Clean Up!Â
The most effective way is to clean up all your stuff! In particular, this includes cleaning dirty dishes, covering trash containers, storing food in air-tight containers and cabinets, wiping food spills immediately, fixing leaking pipes, and many others.Â
2. Use Pesticides
Pesticides are the ideal choice if you’ve established their shelter or where they’ve laid their eggs. Various pesticides kill pests and eggs very quickly, and some can harm the nest.
If you haven’t confirmed where they live, you can use different baits and traps that lure them and then finish them off.Â
Pesticides are the ideal options if you’ve established their shelter or where they’ve laid their eggs.
3. Use Boric Acid
If your space is yet to get infested with roaches, it is best to use boric acid to keep these insects away. It is easy to use, and you must use the powder to dust areas that they are likely to infest.
The downside of this option is that it is poisonous and should be kept out of children’s reach (but weirdly, you make slime with it…).Â
4. Baking Soda
A safe alternative and a commonly used home ingredient is baking powder. This powder works like bait when you add sugar to it.
The sugar component lures the roaches to the mixture, and they die once they come into contact with the powder. You’ll have to first identify the spaces they are hiding, then sprinkle. Â
5. Fabric Softners
There are other effective ways of keeping roaches out of your home, such as using fabric softeners. The best way to prevent the buildup of the molted skins is to eliminate the presence of these disease-causing insects.
There are other effective ways of keeping roaches out of your home, such as using fabric softeners.
Conclusion
It is usual for cockroach nymphs to molt their skin during various stages in the cockroach life cycle. As much as this is a natural occurrence, the molted skin can negatively affect humans.
This review gives insight into how the shells can get into contact with people, and the various health complications they cause.
Get your roach problem under control asap, and good luck!
