Discovering a roach in your home is always a bad thing, but what if you stumble upon a white roach? As creepy and horrifying as it may seem, are white roaches of more concern than any other roach? Are they somehow more dangerous? Let’s find out more about these seemingly albino roaches, where they come from, and what it means for you if spotted in your home.
What is a White Roach?
A white roach is simply a cockroach that has shed its old exoskeleton. This will reveal the new exoskeleton underneath. The new exoskeleton is soft and white in color. They lose most of the pigmentation in their bodies which must then be replaced. This abnormal-looking cockroach may seem like an entirely different species but it isn’t. This white phase lasts anywhere from several minutes to a few hours.
All cockroaches go through this molting phase called an “instar”. A mature cockroach has gone through this molting process several times which makes white roaches more common than you might think. They are very adept to hiding which makes them much harder to spot during this phase.
Albino Cockroach
The term albino refers to animals that have a genetic abnormality and can’t produce enough pigment molecules in their exoskeleton or skin. White cockroaches don’t have any genetic defects and therefore aren’t considered albino.
There isn’t a scientific term for a white cockroach but they may be referred to as a “molting cockroach.” Before they shed their outer shell, they must form a new one just inside the old one to keep their body parts together. The new skin is soft and pliable at first and has no pigment. When roaches are ready to molt, they split their old skin and crawl out. The new skin is still very soft and very pale. The name for the old exoskeleton left behind is an “exuviae.”
During this vulnerable phase of molting, roaches tend to be extremely cautious which is why they seem fairly elusive. When they are ready to molt, they find shelter that will protect them from harm or being eaten. They stay hunkered down for this brief time period until their exoskeletons
harden and return to their dark color. Their new shell is not rigid enough for the muscles to provide much movement at this point, making it difficult to run and hide from predators. The cockroach is now wearing a new suit of armor, and is ready to venture out to find food and water.
Still Seeing Bugs After Pest Control?
Discovering a White Roach
Discovering a white roach anywhere in your home indicates several things you need to be aware of. Like other cockroaches, white roaches are a sign of danger, and when you see one, you more than likely have an infestation you need to take seriously. Roaches of all kinds are known for spreading
disease. The exoskeletons left behind, along with feces, and egg cases can cause and also worsen both asthma and allergies. In extreme cases, the presence of cockroaches has even been linked to food poisoning.
Why Are Cockroaches So Hard to Get Rid Of?
Cockroaches have incredible immune systems which are able to kill many microbes and fungi. So a kitchen we consider filthy is perfectly clean and sanitary to them. They have numerous receptors for smell and taste, making them way better at sniffing out food than most other insects. They’ll pretty much eat anything from meat and sugar to cardboard boxes and glue.
How to Prevent White Roaches
If you want to lessen the chance of a cockroach scurrying across your kitchen floor, cleanliness is your best chance. Keep your kitchen and bathrooms clean and sanitized. Roaches thrive off any unsanitary environment. Seal foods in airtight bags and containers, put pet food up at night, cover trash cans with tight lids, and keep all these areas dry. It is also very helpful to seal off cracks, sink drains, and electrical outlets. Roaches will stop at nothing to get in your house!
How to Get Rid of White Roaches
Because white roaches do such a great job of hiding, you won’t see them as often as other roaches. So, when one is spotted, you can be certain that there are hundreds more lurking in the shadows.
There are a variety of ways to manage pests on your own. From natural home remedies to poisons and sprays, there are numerous options out there. But, if you are dealing with a true infestation, your next step should
be to contact a professional pest control service right away. They are trained to find the exact areas in your home where roaches take shelter and eliminate them.
Conclusion
Do-it-yourself treatments are usually ineffective. Cockroaches are great at hiding in the cracks and crevices of your home and their eggs are naturally protected from pesticides. Cockroach control is nearly impossible without the help of a professional. At Vinx Pest Control, we have the equipment, materials, and know-how to get rid of your troublesome pest problems once and for all.
Our technicians have years of experience when it comes to pest extermination. We take a preventative approach which means we will point out places in your yard that could be potential hot spots for pests and take the appropriate action. We treat both the interior and exterior of your home for the pests you’re seeing and the ones you aren’t.
To ensure you are pest-free we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our services. If we perform a service for you and you aren’t completely satisfied, we’ll come back and do the job again. We have offices in Dallas, TX, Sulphur Springs, TX, Charleston, and Greenville, SC. If you live in any of those areas, we’ll give you a free estimate. See pricing here!