White cockroaches are not uncommon, they are just good at hiding

By Vil Malinoshevsky
About cockroaches

If you sometimes find white cockroaches in your apartment, then you should be no more afraid of them than other living insects. They differ from ordinary cockroaches only in color. In addition, within a few hours they will no longer be white and will become the same as the rest of their relatives.

At the same time, the appearance of white cockroaches at home is still a bad signal for owners . If they appear, it means that you need to treat the apartment as soon as possible and try to destroy them.

White cockroaches in the apartment: who are they and where do they come from?

Is the white cockroach an albino cockroach? First, it's important to note that these are two different cases. As common as white cockroaches are, there has never been a documented case of an albino cockroach, at least not one that would fit the definition of albinism.

According to entomologists, albinism is a genetic condition that affects the body's ability to produce enough of the pigment melanin, the material that gives color to human skin, hair and eyes, or the color of an insect's shell. There are many levels of albinism, and it does not always result in noticeable depigmentation of the skin and hair, but it almost always affects vision.

Accurate diagnosis is not reliable by observing skin color. Instead, it is usually diagnosed by a simple eye color test. But don't open a cockroach inspection center just yet. Albinism is not a genetic disorder that appears to affect cockroaches. In other words, when it comes to the white cockroach, albinism is not the cause.

Social structure and reproduction

Photo: Black and white cockroach

Cockroaches reproduce very actively and in large quantities.

To do this they need:

food;
water;
darkness;
warm.

At low temperatures, insects die. High ones are tolerated much better. A cockroach can go without food or water for up to 50 days. But if we talk about the breeding period, then at this time much more nutrients are required. Each mature female reproduces up to 5 times during her life. Each one produces up to 50 individuals. When the female reaches maturity, she begins to thin out a kind of scents to attract males. In turn, they find and fertilize the female.

The female reaches sexual maturity at about six months. During the mating process, fertilization of all accumulated eggs occurs. After this, a cocoon begins to actively form, in which the larvae are stored for about 3 weeks. When they get stronger, the female dumps it in a secluded place, where the larvae continue to actively develop and emerge out after a couple of weeks. Newborn cockroaches are white in color. After a few hours they will darken.

Interesting fact: In some exotic species, pregnancy can last up to six months.

Virtually no toxic substances have any effect on egg laying. Therefore, you need to process the house several times to destroy the hatched individuals.

How cockroaches turn white

Where do white cockroaches come from? The real reason for white cockroaches is that when cockroaches molt, they not only lose their outer shell, but they also lose a lot of the pigmentation in their bodies, which then needs to be replaced. This is a chemical reaction that occurs in the body and usually takes several hours to completely restore pigmentation. Pigmentation not only colors their bodies, it can affect their circadian rhythms, or biological clocks, according to research into their neural organization. If you come across small cockroaches with transparent wings, these are baby cockroaches.

Do white insects cause harm?

If white cockroaches appear in an apartment, this does not mean the end of the world or epidemics. The danger they pose is comparable to ordinary red barbels. They carry more infections on their bodies because their skin, which lacks chitin, has small villi. Helminth eggs, fungal spores, bacteria, and protozoa stick to them.

Most often they become carriers of intestinal viral infections. After being in a trash can or sewer and running through the food on the table, cockroaches can infect a person:

dysenteric amoeba;
pathogenic cocci;
salmonellosis;
helminthiasis.

This is an incomplete list of diseases, but it already raises concerns for the health of apartment residents. In addition, Prussians are a source of allergies. The chitin dropped by cockroaches is gradually crushed and turns into dust, which spreads through the air. The presence of chitin particles in the inhaled air leads to asthma attacks, contact dermatitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria and other allergic manifestations.

Sometimes there are individuals with a white spot or stripe on the back. Perhaps part of the chitinous cover became discolored for some reason. Another option is that a mutation occurred that affected the color of the insect’s body.

Myths and truth about the white cockroach

Fantastic myths and legends are born around white cockroaches. Where did these mutants come from and how to get rid of them: housewives ask the question. Some seriously believe that a white individual:

belongs to the number of dangerous mutants, tenacious and indestructible;
refers to albinos that are found in the animal kingdom;
a new, not yet studied species of insect.

But none of these assumptions have a scientific basis. Mutations are possible, but extremely rare. Albino cockroaches do not exist in nature, and the new species is called the “molting Prussian.”

Cockroaches are white - that's a fact. And this fact is not frightening. The normal life cycle forces the insect to change its chitinous cover. And at this time he is defenseless and not dangerous. And you can get rid of it using the same methods that have already been tested on red Prussians.

Why then are white cockroaches so rarely seen?

Transparent cockroach! Why do you rarely see him and should you start getting to know him with a photo on the Internet? Cockroaches are arthropods, and, accordingly, like all their fellows, they do not have a backbone, which makes them invertebrates.

In fact, cockroaches don't have any other bones. But in order for a cockroach's muscles to properly control its legs, wings, and other moving parts, they must be attached to something rigid. This is why insects have hard external bodies.

This external skeleton, or exoskeleton, provides the structure their bodies need to function properly.

Because the exoskeleton is rigid and cannot change size once it is “installed” on the insect, cockroaches must grow as they mature. Therefore, they participate in a process called “molting.” During molting, cockroaches periodically shed their exoskeleton, replacing it with a more spacious model that allows them the interior space they need to continue to grow.

Before they shed their old outer shell, or skin, they must form a new one just inside the old one to keep the body parts together and to retain body moisture when they shed. This new skin, or exoskeleton, is initially soft and pliable and lacks the pigmentation that gives the shell its color.

When cockroaches are ready to molt, they split the old skin and crawl out. The new exoskeleton is ready to go, but it is still very soft. Since the pigmentation process is not yet complete, the skin becomes white.

Features of character and lifestyle

Photo: White transparent cockroach

Cockroaches most often live in large colonies, trying to find a common habitat. They do not have any clear hierarchy. Although you can often find information that they have dominant individuals, as well as those that obtain food for them. Cockroaches do not have any special skills, nor do they have any skills. That is why these insects are not considered highly organized.

They live mainly in human habitation or near it. Since this is precisely the key to sufficient food for these arthropods. Otherwise, they do not have any special lifestyles. In addition, cockroaches are carriers of such dangerous infectious diseases as dysentery, defthyria, various common poisonings and skin diseases. That is why people have been fighting them so actively for many years.

Cockroaches are rather nocturnal inhabitants. During the day they are much less active. This is primarily due to the fact that they prefer to simply hide from people. That's why it can be difficult to find them during the day.

Unlike many other insects, cockroaches do not hibernate. This is due to the fact that they live near human habitation and therefore are supplied with sufficient quantities of water, drinking and comfortable living conditions all year round. Reproduction in these arthropods therefore also occurs all year round, without any cycle depending on the season.

Life stages of a white cockroach

The life cycle of white cockroaches begins with a nymph (larva) once these individuals have “successfully” hatched from the egg.

The nymphal stage is the second phase of the cockroach life cycle. This stage of cockroach development is precisely identified by its unusual white color.

All nymphs go through a well-known process of shedding their skin called molting. As all cockroaches develop, they go through periods known as instars. At this time, feeding is accompanied by the loss of old skin. 1 female German cockroach can produce about 400,000 cockroaches per year.

Once cockroaches shed their skin, they turn into milk cockroaches for a couple of hours or days, depending on their species. At this stage they are very vulnerable due to their soft skin.

The color of these cockroaches can be cream, white or light brown, depending on how much time has passed since they moulted. Once their skin hardens, it returns to its typical reddish or dark brown color. The number of molts depends on the type of cockroaches and the conditions in which they are found.

Cockroaches are very sensitive to drying out and predation after molting, so during this period cockroaches remain hidden from light and moving air. The new shell is not rigid enough for the muscles to move quickly at this point, making it difficult to run and hide when being chased by predators. These factors, combined with the possible disruption of their biological clock, is a natural reason for cockroaches to stay out of sight while they are white.

What happens to the white cockroach next? How does he continue to live? The exoskeleton will begin to harden and return to normal coloring over the next few minutes, and life will soon return to normal. Some types of cockroaches can completely transform within a few hours. At this point, the cockroach, now dressed in new armor, is ready to go in search of food, water and shelter. If this is their last molt, then small apartment cockroaches have reached adulthood.

Pest control methods

To combat white cockroaches, the same methods of control are used as for ordinary Prussians: products in the form of gels, sprays, powders and traps for catching.

Boric acid against pests

There is a fairly inexpensive, but effective and simple method for exterminating cockroaches - boric acid, which is sold in every pharmacy.

This substance is almost harmless to the human body, but it has a detrimental effect on insects. Boric acid mainly affects the digestive tract and nervous system of pests. In addition, this product is not addictive to insects, but cockroaches are able to adapt to many insecticides. The only disadvantage of this method is the need for long-term treatment of the room. It takes 7 to 15 days for the bugs to completely disappear.

Boric acid can be used in three types:

alcohol
in powder form
as food bait

An alcohol solution is less effective than a powder solution.
After all, insects can communicate with each other and notify relatives of danger. And the smell of alcohol scares them, causing them to hide in their shelters. It is recommended to wipe countertops and faucets with an alcohol solution of boric acid. Powdered boric acid is used when the habitat of cockroaches has already been studied. It is scattered exactly where insects run - on their paths and in shelters.

You can also dilute boric acid powder in water, pour this product into small containers and place it around the apartment.

You can make food bait as follows:

boil an egg and 1 potato,
mash them together until a paste forms,
add 1 10 gram sachet of boric acid to the resulting puree,
thoroughly mix the gruel with the acid and roll it all into small balls,
place the balls where the cockroaches live.

Aerosol fight

The principle of operation of all sprays and aerosols is based on spraying an insecticidal agent under pressure from a can, which has a built-in miniature pump.
To protect your health and the health of loved ones from the adverse effects of chemicals, when treating the premises you must observe the following safety measures:

Before processing, you need to remove all food from the room and close all windows and doors. It is important to prevent children or pets from entering the premises. You also need to turn off the compressor in the aquarium, if there is one, and cover it with a thick cloth.

It is recommended to wear protective gloves, goggles and a respirator. After all, most aerosols are toxic and can harm people in large quantities.

You can spray the remedy against Prussians only when the air temperature in the room is above 10 degrees. When processing, it is important to spray the product on all communication networks, niches and upper shelves. You also need to dismantle the baseboard and treat the entire surface behind it.

After the room has been completely treated, close it tightly and leave for 2-3 hours. Next, the room is thoroughly ventilated.

Below we list proven products in the form of sprays and aerosols against harmful insects:

“Dichlorvos”
is produced in Russia and has a nerve-paralytic effect on insects. Its main components are phosphorus and carbon. Dichlorvos has a validity period of 2 weeks.
“Combat”
is a spray with an antiseptic effect, which is produced in the Russian Federation under a German license. They can process a large area of up to 60 square meters. Combat affects the stomach of cockroaches thanks to its main components - ciferothrin and imiprotrin.
“Baron”
is a fairly expensive Russian-made product. It penetrates the chitinous shell of insects and directly affects their nervous system. The main component is 3% finpronil.
“Raid”
is a special remedy for white cockroaches, which is valid for 3 months. The main active ingredient is a mix of pyrethroid poisons. The raid was carried out in Russia.
“Raptor”
- made in China. It targets the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems of insects using a combination of peronyl butexide, tetramethrin and cypermethrin.

Gels against cockroaches

The main form of release of gels against insects is a syringe or tube with a special dispenser. The main active ingredients are contained in them in the amount of 3%. The gels themselves act as bait - they contain substances that attract Prussians. The main advantages of such drugs are as follows:

They do not have a specific odor and do not enter the respiratory tract of humans or pets.
It is convenient to use a tube in the form of a syringe, which easily reaches hard-to-reach places.
The gel base does not spread through the air, unlike powder products.
It is used economically.

Typically the gel is applied in two ways.
In the first case, it is applied to cardboard or pieces of paper and placed in the habitat of the insects. In the second case, they use a targeted method - they simply squeeze the Prussians onto the paths and places where they gather. Products in the form of gels act on the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems of cockroaches. Prussians carry fragments of the gel into their nests and spread them along the paths. The individual that dies is eaten by other insects, after which they all die. The duration of exposure to the gels is 1 month, and the speed is several hours.

The most popular and effective gels against cockroaches are “Combat”, “Absolute”, “Dohloks”, “Kapkan Sturm”.

Are other cockroaches white too?

All cockroaches are white cockroaches for a short period of time each time they moult. Both red and black prefer to hide. They retreat to the furthest reaches, deepest nooks and crannies when they sense an impending molt. If you meet a white cockroach in the kitchen, it means something has disturbed its hiding area.

Professional pest control technicians often see white cockroaches as they apply deep penetration treatments. This disturbs cockroaches during molting, displacing them from their hiding places, causing them to emerge prematurely from hiding, and ensuring successful cockroach control.

Myths away

If you come across an unusual white cockroach at home, don’t get lost. There are no albino cockroaches, the photo above confirms this. But in any case, now you will have to get rid of the mustaches. You can do this in several ways:

traditional methods, for example, homemade poison based on boric acid;
chemicals, for example, powders and dusts, crayons and pencils, traps, gels, aerosols;
call professionals who will carry out cold or hot fog treatment.

HEALTHY! To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a rating of manufacturers of various drugs. You can also familiarize yourself with the most effective means and best methods of dealing with Prussians.

Are white cockroaches dangerous for humans?

White cockroaches are no more dangerous than any other. If you see a white cockroach where it is not supposed to be, where there is no food or water, this is a dangerous signal: you are faced with a large infestation.

Deadly diseases caused by cockroaches

Diseases caused by domestic pests should not be underestimated. Many of them are serious. These include hepatitis, anthrax, salmonella, tuberculosis, colic and even leprosy. Fortunately, the latter is rare. Quite harmless, but still unpleasant are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which can also be transmitted by these creatures.

The transmission of the disease occurs, on the one hand, outside your body; pathogenic microbes can last up to 72 hours, waiting to enter your body. Even if you never have direct contact with a daylight-shy overnight guest, there is a risk of infection. Predatory bugs can also contaminate their food with pathogens as they plunder and raid your kitchen supplies.

Why can white cockroaches be dangerous?

Below are the two main problems they can give you:

Vector-borne diseases that can be transmitted to people and domestic animals;
Massive infection at home.

These insects are the leading cause of childhood asthma in cities. Never poison cockroaches in a house where allergy and asthma sufferers live. Removing cockroaches using chemicals inside a building will increase their allergies. Catch cockroaches using special devices or vacuum them.

They shed their shell several times during their developmental stage. The corpses of killed insects, their shed skins and excrement can be your allergens; they will cause more and more attacks of illness in children and sensitive people. Therefore, as soon as they are discovered, immediately begin eliminating them. White cockroaches, as well as their adult relatives - whether living or dead - contain allergens in their feces, skin and saliva.

They are carriers of pathogens that include:

Streptococcus;
Staphylococcus;
Salmonella (food poisoning);
Clostridium;
Diarrhea;
Cholera;
Respiratory infections;
Typhoid fever;
Gastroenteritis;
Pneumonia;

Interesting

Children in contaminated buildings were found to have the most severe cases of asthma. Almost 50% of asthmatic children are sensitive to cockroach allergens.

What danger do they pose to humans?

A cockroach, regardless of color, always causes a lot of negative feelings.

In addition, this insect that parasitizes inside a person’s home brings a lot of trouble:

Pests of this type are able to move within an apartment building, wandering from basements, ventilation shafts or attics to people’s apartments. At the same time, Prussians carry many dangerous organisms on their paws and antennae. Cockroaches are carriers of various diseases, including dysentery and tuberculosis. Prussians also carry worm eggs, leaving them on the table or dishes.
Cockroaches damage more than just food. They are capable of ruining important papers by leaving feces on them or shedding their chitinous shell. Traces of insects on light-colored furniture, walls, and ceilings are also unpleasant.
The presence of Prussians in the house has a negative impact on the human nervous system. While moving along the joints of peeling wallpaper or paper, insects create noise that can lead some people to a nervous breakdown.
Often, hiding in the housing of household appliances, albino cockroaches damage them, leaving behind feces on vulnerable parts and mechanisms.

Can a white cat bite a person?

Prussians often bite people, causing unpleasant wounds on the surface of the skin and redness. However, white representatives of this species of insects are unlikely to harm humans due to their special vulnerability during molting.

Regardless of how dangerous Prussian bites are, you should not be afraid of being bitten by a white cockroach; the likelihood of such an incident is negligible.

How to get rid of white cockroaches

So how do you deal with these terrible pests? To know how to effectively deal with cockroaches, you need to learn all the habits of each of them.

Some cockroaches are active at night when they come out of their hiding place to find some source of food.

Some cockroaches love light, and some only consume vegetation. Want to know effective products to kill them.

Each species of cockroach has its own nesting area. These insects spend about 70% of their time in cracks and dark nooks and crannies. That's why you have to find them first and then caulk all the holes and seal all the cracks. The preferred hiding places of any cockroaches are those that have high relative humidity and are located near sources of food and water.

To control cockroaches in your home, control these conditions.

Most cockroaches that live in homes feed not only on food, but also on a variety of materials, such as leather, glue, paste, dead animals, shoe polish and dirty clothes.

Necessary preventive measures

How can you prevent Prussians from appearing in your apartment or house? To begin with, we note that the ideal breeding environment for cockroaches is unsanitary conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to begin the fight against insects by eliminating these conditions:

Regularly wet clean rooms by adding chlorine, ammonia or chlorhexidine to the water.
Under no circumstances should containers with food or its remains be left open.
Remove accumulated food waste every day.
Monitor air humidity and avoid high levels. Without water, the Prussians disappear within a day.

Characteristics of the variety

The body of a common cockroach is oval-shaped. Its length can reach 1.5 cm. Each individual has 3 pairs of paws equipped with hooks and suction cups that help the insect easily move along a vertical surface.

Cockroaches come in different colors and sizes

Males have long wings and whiskers, while females have much shorter wings. White individuals have the same characteristics, they are distinguished only by color. Light representatives are not identified as a separate species, so many do not even know whether white cockroaches actually exist. The nature of these insects is designed in such a way that they can be at a certain stage of the life cycle, when their difference in color from their fellow insects is only one of the stages of development through which all individuals pass.