Pest Control Technician Practice Exam 2025 - Free Pest Control Practice Questions and Study Guide

The three stages of cockroach development are egg, nymph, and adult. This life cycle is known as hemimetabolism, which means that cockroaches do not undergo a complete metamorphosis like some other insects. Instead, they develop through gradual changes.

In the egg stage, a female cockroach lays eggs, often in a protective casing called an ootheca. Once the eggs hatch, the young cockroaches emerge as nymphs. Nymphs resemble small adults but lack fully developed wings and reproductive organs. As nymphs grow, they undergo several molts, shedding their exoskeleton to grow bigger. Eventually, they reach the adult stage, where they become fully developed and capable of reproduction.

Understanding this lifecycle is crucial for pest control, as treatments may need to target different stages to be effective. Focusing solely on adults, for example, may neglect the ongoing population growth from nymphs and eggs. This knowledge allows technicians to implement strategies that break the developmental cycle and manage cockroach infestations more effectively.