The Lifecycle of Common Household Pests (And Why Timing Matters)

The life cycle of an insect will vary from bug to bug, but all pests have one thing in common: rapid reproduction. Roach, rodent, or anything in between, pests need to grow their populations quickly to cause infestations, but not all do so at the same rate.

Let’s dive into the life cycles of bugs and rodents that may try to come into your home to learn just how quickly a serious problem can develop, and how the team at Accel Pest and Termite Control can stop them before they do.

Roaches Reproduce Remarkably Fast

Several species of cockroaches infest homes, but German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches are the most common. German roaches don’t fly, but everything about them is quick. Their small size and powerful legs allow them to run and tuck into cover with tremendous speed, and with females producing around 30 eggs in a single case, thousands can grow in your home to mature adults in just two months.

American roaches can also reproduce quickly, and when they do, they grow into massive adults up to two inches in length. Worse yet, these roaches can fly, meaning they can form nests in elevated places where anyone except a well-trained pest technician may not find them.

Mosquitoes Mature in Just Days

For a pest that can cause such massive problems, mosquitoes have a surprisingly short lifespan. The entire lifecycle from egg to adult can take as little as 7-10 days, depending on the species and environmental conditions. 

This allows a single mosquito to spawn an entire infestation in practically no time at all, and even though it’s only the female mosquitoes that bite, their populations can grow so large so quickly that they become nearly impossible to control without proactive pest control.

Accel Pest and Termite Control utilizes targeted larvicides in our mosquito control treatments to target the next generation of mosquitoes before they hatch. By eliminating standing water and implementing family-friendly repellents, we can restore peace to your backyard.

Housefly Egg-Laying Habits

Houseflies may appear to dart around your room aimlessly, but they target specific areas to lay their eggs.

Their favorite spot is on rotting meat, but they’ll lay their eggs on any organic matter or even non-organic surfaces if stinking garbage or rotting food is nearby.

This is why you may see a collection of small, rice-like eggs at the bottom of your trash can or in your drains, and it only takes a few days for them to hatch, mature, and turn into fully reproductive adults. It’s also how houseflies, especially fruit flies, can form massive infestations so quickly.

Don’t give them time to reproduce. Unlike roaches, flies tend to be more visible when they infest your home, so get an early start on setting fly traps and cleaning your kitchen before a few dozen turns into several thousand.

Bed Bugs and Where They Appear

Bed bugs are unique among household pests in that they are fully dependent on humans for survival. Only found indoors rather than in the wild, bed bugs lay their eggs along bed frames, headboards, mattresses, and linens. 

As they mature, they utilize their keen sense of heat detection to determine when a person is present, initiating feeding. Their eggs may take only a week to hatch, and infestations can start and spread quickly, so bed bug control is certainly not something to sleep on.

Rodent Nesting and Development

Most rodents are born blind, but their strong sense of smell and powerful hearing allow even the youngest rats and mice to stay out of sight and search for food long before they are ever noticed. If you see a single mouse running through your kitchen or ducking away under your sofa, it’s likely not alone.

Schedule Comprehensive Pest Control From Accel Pest and Termite Control

The life stages of an insect or any other pest determine how quickly they can cause an infestation. The faster they mature, the faster they can reproduce, and the faster they can infest your home.

Disrupt the insect life cycle with seasonal pest control from Accel Pest and Termite Control. Our team of experts knows when pests are most active and where to stop them before they enter your home with proactive strategies that target them at every stage.

Get a head start on pest control before the problem escalates. Reach out to Accel Pest and Termite Control today to schedule your comprehensive pest control service!