“DO WHITE COCKROACH REALLY EXIST?

WHY ARE SOME ROACHES WHITE?

Cockroaches are insects and as such, they have an exoskeleton. The outer hull of insects is
made up of chitin, a proteinaceous substance akin to keratin which makes up our hair and
fingernails. The exoskeleton is extremely sturdy and rigid by necessity. Unlike the bones in
fish and mammals, exoskeletons do not grow with the animal. This is why all insects have to
shed their skin at some point if they are to grow larger.
From egg to adulthood cockroaches go through 4 – 5 molting stages. The number of molts
depend on the species of cockroach you’re dealing with. At each stage they shed their skin
and emerge as a white roach. The animals appear white because the pigment in the new skin
has not developed yet. This is a chemical process that can take several hours. The skin takes
a few minutes to harden enough for the roach to be able to move. This is because the outer
shell is so soft that the muscles inside pull them out of shape instead of moving them as
intended.
If you find a white roach, you may notice it less responsive or slower to run than its buddies.
In order to get rid of the old exoskeleton, a new one has to grow under the skin. It needs to
be larger than the previous version. It also has to be soft and flexible, to allow the animal and
its new skin to be crammed into the increasingly tight space. After a certain period of time,
the insect goes into molt, a process where the old skin splits open and the newly formed
insect emerges. The roach swallows air to inflate its new skin into the right proportions.
This is when the roach is most vulnerable. The new skin is soft and the animal can’t move as
well with a soft body, thus leaving it at the mercy of predators and other various dangers.
Cockroaches tend to molt in their harbour areas, hidden away from danger and in the safety
of numbers. It’s for this reason white cockroaches are a rare sight out in the open, not
because they are actually rare.
WHY THEY ARE WHITE : PROCESS OF MOLTING

Cockroaches belong to the arthropods’ group. To grow larger, arthropods should shed their
exoskeleton. This procedure is called molting. When a roach is ready for molting, it develops
a new exoskeleton – skeleton on the outside – inside of the old one. The cockroach gets out
of the old and used exoskeleton with a new one that is soft and flexible. Important When
roaches become nymphs they shed their skin. During this period of time (just a few hours)
they appear white creating an unusual sight. The shell and color of these white guys will
quickly develop back to its usual dark or brown color as well as hardened state. After molting,
the roach is vulnerable and defenseless until the new flexible exoskeleton hardens.
Therefore roaches molt in dark places like walls and cabinets. Usually, it takes just a few
hours for the new cockroach exoskeleton to harden. The cockroach darkens until it looks like
all of the other roaches of that species. If you see a good number of white roaches on your
property you have a mature population. It is a significant problem. Don’t wait until it
becomes a huge one.

IS A WHITE COCKROACH AN ALBINO COCKROACH?

First, it’s important to note that these are two different conditions. As common as white
cockroaches are, there has never been a documented case of an albino cockroach, at least not
one that fits the definition of albinism.
According to the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, albinism is a
genetic condition that affects an organism’s ability to produce a sufficient quantity of the
pigment melanin, the material that gives color to the skin, hair and eyes. There are many
levels of albinism and it doesn’t always result in noticeable non-pigmentation of the skin and
hair, but almost always affects vision.
An accurate diagnosis is not reliably made by observing the color of the skin. Instead, it is
most commonly diagnosed by a simple eye exam. But don’t open up a cockroach eye exam
center just yet. Al8binism is not a genetic condition that is known to affect roaches. In other
words, when it comes to a white cockroach, albinism is not the cause.

DO WHITE ROACHES BITE?

Most of them are omnivores. They usually eat dead plant and rotten meats. But there are
several records that they eat human flesh dead or alive. More likely they bite human
fingernail, eyelashes, skins, hairs. They usually do not dare to bite a live human. In case of a
large amount of infestation, may cause them food shortages and lack of feeding or if they
cannot find another food sources or places to hide.
In that case, roaches are forces to consume another thing instead of food. That case the
cockroaches are forward to living bodies. These are recorded that this only happens in
vessels or big boats or ships. The bites may cause irritation, lesion and some other health
problems. Sometimes minor wounds would happen.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OF WHITE COCKROACH
* Size and Shape
The general shape of these white cockroaches is oval. Their size is similar to the ordinary
brown or black cockroach, although depending on the species, the size may vary slightly.
* Color
It appears white, cream or tan or color before the exoskeleton forms to a hard brown color.
* Wings
Some have wings while some do not. It depends on the species.

WHERE WILL YOU FIND A WHITE COCKROACH?

They are real cockroaches, so you are bound to find them where the rest of the mature
population commonly resides in. You can check out the following areas;
* Cabinets
Check your cabinets especially the top areas because that is where they are bound to hide.
The farthest corners are a good spot for them too.
* Cracks and Crevices
Cockroaches are very good at making themselves impossible to spot especially in crawl
spaces. These areas tend to be dark, so it is a huge convenience for them. Make sure to check
the whole crawl space if possible (thoroughly).
* Washers and Dryers
This is a perfect hiding spot for them while molting because it is a dark and damp area. They
can molt undisturbed.
* Drains
They take well to the environment around and sometimes even inside drains. This is because
of the dampness associated with the area.
* Basement
A perfect place filled with darkness like the basement will ensure the roaches feel completely
protected for a peaceful molting process.
* Barns
Do not neglect the barns and sheds. It is also an ideal place because of the dampness and
darkness. While trying to eliminate these pests, You will need to include the barns and sheds
too in your routine.