How Do Roaches Enter a Home?

Roaches are incredibly resourceful and can sneak into your home through…

• Cracks in walls or foundations

• Gaps under doors or around windows

• Open vents or drains

• Grocery bags, boxes, or furniture

• Plumbing and utility lines

Once inside, they’ll search for food, water, and shelter & your home provides all three.

How Fast Do Roaches Reproduce?

Roaches breed rapidly. One female German cockroach; one of the most common species in homes can produce up to 300 – 400 offspring in her lifetime.

How the reproduction cycle typically works…

• A female produces an egg case called an ootheca, containing 30 – 40 eggs.

• Eggs hatch within 20 – 30 days.

• Newborn roaches (nymphs) mature into adults in about 6 – 12 weeks, depending on the environment.

• Those new adults can then begin breeding, continuing the cycle.

This means within just a few months, a small roach problem can escalate into a major infestation if not addressed.

Signs an Infestation Is Spreading

If you notice any of the following, roaches may be multiplying in your home…

• Increased sightings, especially during the day (a sign of overpopulation)

• Droppings that resemble coffee grounds or pepper flakes

• Egg casings (oothecae) in hidden areas

• Musty odor caused by roach secretions

• Smear marks on walls or surfaces where roaches are active

How Long Does It Really Take for Roaches to Infest a House?

With ideal conditions, warmth, food, & moisture. A noticeable infestation can form within 4 to 8 weeks from just a few roaches. If you see one or two, there’s a good chance more are hiding. And if the environment is welcoming, they’ll multiply quickly.