The case is then placed in a secluded location, with the nymphs emerging one to two days later. A female may produce four to six cases during her lifetime, each containing 30 to 40 eggs. Eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days, and nymphs develop in 40 to 125 days. Female roaches live about 200 days and males not as long. Roaches can foul food, damage wallpaper and books, eat glue from furniture, and produce an unpleasant odor.
Some homeowners are allergic to roaches.
The pests can contaminate food with certain bacterial diseases that result in food poisoning, dysentery, or diarrhea. German cockroaches can be detected by examining the premises after dark with a flashlight. During the day, probing hiding places with a wire or thin wood strip will expose roaches. Household sprays of 0.1 percent pyrethrins applied to hiding places will flush out roaches, sometimes killing them if they contact the spray. Inspect sacks, cartons and boxes, etc., brought into the house, and destroy any roaches.