If I had to vote in a contest for world's ugliest animal I would have to cast my ballet for the Palmetto Bug. These things are gross. It also has horrible manners.
Palmetto bugs are reddish brown and grow up to two inches in length. It is also known as the American cockroach. It has a pair of large wings on its back that can be used for flying, but wings that are tough enough to act like a shield when the cockroach is on the ground. Palmetto bugs need moisture to survive and only live in warm, tropical climates. It can be found outdoors across the southern United States, but is also a common insect found in commercial facilities with high heat and humidity.
The reason I say that Palmetto bugs have horrible manners is not only because they invade homes in search of food or to avoid cool weather. It is bad enough that they come in uninvited, but they also leave excrement in the cracks and crevices where they inhabit. The Palmetto bug feeds on any kind of organic material and this often includes garbage or sewage waste. They can get inside by way of sewer connections and they can track in bacteria laden particles. This contamination can lead to health problems like food poisoning, dysentery, and diarrhea. Cockroaches molt as they age, shedding their skins as their bodies grow larger. These shed skins can cause allergy problems for people sensitive to them, and can contribute to childhood asthma.
Once, while in New Orleans, I saw a cockroach on a kitchen counter. I think it saw me, too. I'm pretty sure of this, because the cockroach stood up on its back legs, making the terrifyingly large bug appear even bigger, and it hissed at me. Apparently Madagascar hissing cockroaches aren't the only species of roaches that can audibly alert you to their discontent. Next, there was a kind of showdown. The cockroach spread its wings. It seemed to be gauging my reaction to determine if I would have the courage to confront it with the shoe I had taken off of my foot for the purpose of squashing it. Sensing that I was indeed planning on making a move, the cockroach leapt into the air with a flurry of beating wings and flew straight towards my face, sending me ducking for cover. The battle ended with me grabbing a can of Raid so I could kill the roach from a distance. I would have to say the Palmetto bug won that showdown. See what I mean about horrible manners?
Most American cockroaches are probably not that aggressive, but they are noted for not scattering from light like many other species of roach. Luckily, they are also not as difficult to get rid of as smaller roach species like the German cockroach. Palmetto bugs have a comparatively slow reproduction rate, and their large size makes them easier to exclude from buildings than smaller species. Palmetto bugs can be kept out by adding weather stripping under doors, adding wire mesh barriers over storm drains and crawl space vents, and by caulking the cracks around water pipes that might be providing an entryway into a home. Fixing leaky pipes can also take away a water source that the roaches might be depending on.
The easiest way to kill roaches that have made their way inside the house is to take a boot and smash them. I am not the least bit sympathetic towards such a rude trespasser. If you are skittish around big, flying, filth covered, insects that can bite (I did mention that they can bite, right?) as I am, then you can also use an aerosol insecticide like Raid that is labeled as a roach killer. To treat a larger infestation of American cockroaches use a desiccant powder, like Borax or Drione Dust. The dust should be sprinkled along the edges of walls or cabinets, or any other crack where there is evidence of roach activity like shed skins, brown fecal stains, or dead bodies. (Don't ask me why the dead bodies always seemed to be turned over on their backs with the legs curled up. That's a whole different article.) An insecticide duster could help you apply the Borax more efficiently.
Still too complicated? Buy a cat. Palmetto bugs make fantastic toys for fun loving felines. Or, simply call the local exterminator to solve your pest control needs.
Comments
Lynn
13 Jul 2009, 12:22
I recently married and moved to my husband's house in FL. but now am
contemplating divorce. I love him totally, but his roommates include these
filthy bugs. I found 2 dead one's in our bedroom last week and one alive
in the kitchen a couple nights ago. Last night, one was crawling over a
house guest (my daughter's boyfriend) as he slept in the guestroom (that
one, I will probably adopt as a pet!) :) Anyway, despite being fond of
last night's, I would truly like to give them a better, preferentially,
eternal home. My hubby, in the effort to save the marriage, is going to
spray the exterior of the house this weekend, but when you talk about bait
traps, what brand and where can you buy them? ARe they available at any
Home Depot or Lowe's type of store? Is there some ingredient I should be
looking for that they contain? Also, our garage isn't finished, we only
have insulation stuffed up in the studs, should we put some bait up there
as the garage is under (on the ground level) of our typical Florida home.
Thanks for all your helpful humor. I have bought a taser in case I come
across a pugilistic pest.
Ask the Exterminator
13 Jul 2009, 12:47
I recommend the Maxforce FC Magnum gel bait products. They are easy to
apply and work very well. You can purchase this product online. Be sure to
carefully follow label instructions on how and where to apply the product.
sandi
13 Jul 2009, 23:09
OMG I can't believe the one I have been chasing all over my bedroom just
flew into my hair as I was reading this. UGGGGGG...It is now crushed after
I screamed and pulled on my hair until i about pulled it all out. Gosh
these things are horrible. Mine are all on the second floor...not in the
kitchen. Where the heck are they coming in and why doesn't he stay in the
bathroom and out of my bedroom. UGGGG!!
Rina
20 Jul 2009, 14:46
I recently moved down to florida from delaware and this summer has been bad
for these palmetto bugs... Now up in delaware we know palmetto bugs as
roaches and usually if you have roaches, your known to have dirty houses.
But everyone down here tells me it is normal. I think they are nasty and I
feel dirty having them in my apartment. now i will be the first to admit
that i am completely disorganized but I am not dirty. all my food is selaed
and i vacuum and dust weekly due to my cats (which by the way are scared of
palmetto bugs!!!! geez!). I'm just hoping you can tell me that it is normal
and I am not dirty because I have been scrubbing my apartment all summer
and they keep appearing!
Ask the Exterminator
20 Jul 2009, 14:48
You are not dirty and it's normal. You are living in a tropical climate now
and these roaches live in the trees and mulch surrounding your home. They
will get inside from time to time.
Kathe Myers
20 Jul 2009, 21:17
I have been living in Rock Hill, SC for 6 months. This is our first summer.
We have the palmetto bugs too. I have read several questions and your
answers but I have not seen my situation. The only time we see these bugs
is if we go away overnight. When we come home there are 3-4 and they are
always dead. They are sometimes squished and usually dried out. Why are
they dead? and dried out. (I am glad they are from the stories I have
read). We turn the AC off when we are gone.
Ask the Exterminator
21 Jul 2009, 11:46
My guess is your "Palmetto" bugs are more likely Wood roaches. Once they
come out of the trees (attracted by the house lights) they fail to get back
to a moisture source and die.
Cathy
23 Jul 2009, 21:27
You say they can bite. In a later comment you say they can bite but "not
in the traditional sense. I woke up 4 nights ago with several painful
itchy welts (deffinite bites) on my body. I immediately turned on the light
looking for the culprit. While there could have been a spider that was
hiding, to my suprise there I saw a Palmetto Bug next to my bed. I have
never had such a reaction to any type of bite. Four days later and they
still itch and the 3 welts are very large. Palmetto Bug or spider? I did
kill him.
Ask the Exterminator
24 Jul 2009, 10:45
American cockroaches have no teeth. Maybe a spider is guilty.
wendy
26 Jul 2009, 21:56
I moved into a new home in tampa a year ago. We have 13 grandfather oaks
in our front yard alone. I thought the leaves were going to be the worst
but YiKes! A few minutes ago, I tried to kill one and it flew at me. I
about had a heart attack. Obviously, didn't know the little buggers could
fly. Now, afraid to go to sleep. I've already treated inside of cabinets
behind washer and dryer and frig. etc with the boric acid. The only stuff
I can find if blue! It's awful! What do you suggest I treat the perimeter
of the home with?
Ask the Exterminator
27 Jul 2009, 09:05
Demand CS is an excellent liquid pesticide. The boric acid has no
knock-down effect. It will kill them over a long period and will remain
effective as long as it stays dry. You only need apply a very thin film of
boric acid dust. It should not be put out in piles.
britt
27 Jul 2009, 09:59
hi,
we live in a florida apartment and are very clean people. we have lived
here for 5 years and have seen exactly 5 palmetto bugs in our home. we saw
one last summer attached to a sweater sleeve, one in the spring by the sink
and the other 3 were this summer in the living room and in my room. a few
of them were dead. we bought roach tablets that have boric acid and a lure
to attract them. harris roach tablets i think they're called? i mashed them
up into a powdery consistency and some i kept whole. i applied this
everywhere. behind couches, under the bed, in the kitchen etc. should this
kill whatever roaches (palmetto bugs) are in here? please let me know
because im frantic. thankyou!
Ask the Exterminator
27 Jul 2009, 10:00
It should kill them, but they will die on their own without moisture. Seal
up the cracks where they are getting in from the outside to stop the
invasion.
Kelly
28 Jul 2009, 12:40
I believe that I have the palmetto bugs in my apt. They are very big, but
was wondering if they could be the oriental ones? My problem is that I
have a guinea pig that has respiratory issues and I am terrified to have
the place sprayed. Should I have it baited? Does boric acid put off an
odor?
Ask the Exterminator
28 Jul 2009, 15:06
Boric acid puts off no odor. Before doing anything get one of the roaches
identified. It's best to know what you are trying to control before you
start applying pesticides. The American cockroach (Palmetto bug) lives in a
different environment than does the Oriental roach. Understanding what you
have will tell you where to look for their nest.
Joanne
30 Jul 2009, 08:30
I would like to know if boric acid can be harmful to animals. I too just
moved to Fl. and have seen one too many Palmetto bugs for my sanity so I
would like to get rid of them. We also have fleas and ants so if there is
something for all of these it would be great.
Thank you.
Ask the Exterminator
30 Jul 2009, 09:04
The active ingredient in boric acid does not have much toxicity for
mammals, but so often I see people apply boric acid improperly. That is,
they over-apply the material. Boric acid should be applied as a fine film
coating. It should not be applied in piles or thick lines.
Flea control requires a combination of an adulticide and and insect growth
regulator. Ants require ant bait products. Go online and look up flea
control and ant products. Boric acid will not control fleas or ants very
well.
barb
31 Jul 2009, 08:34
I live in So. Fl. Over the last few weeks I have seen
3 palmetto bugs in my bathroom--up on the ceiling.
My bathroom is the only place I have ever seen them
until this morning. There was one by my front door.
I sprayed the ones inthe bathroom with Raid. My
neighbor has a "Christmas" palm between our homes.
Could they be entering from my roof and if so how
do I get rid of them. I have lived here for 3 years and
have not seen evidence of any other roaches except
these 4 and I always think where there is one there are
hundreds. Help!!! Anything I can spray along the
outside of the house that withstands Florida torrential
rain
Ask the Exterminator
31 Jul 2009, 08:39
Palmetto bugs live outside in Florida's hot, humid weather. They are
getting inside through various cracks in windows, rooflines, attic vents
and the like. Sealing them out is the key.
I doubt that your neighbor's palm has much to do with your current roach
problem. If you are going to treat the outside I suggest applying a
granular pesticide product around the outside perimeter foundation to deter
their progress.
Christine
01 Aug 2009, 01:06
Hi,
I found a Large American Cockroach in my clean, brand-new car about 2 weeks
ago. It ran under the gas pedals and under the carpeting. I'm not sure if
it got out since I don't know if there are openings under the vehicle where
the bug could find an exit.
I have not seen the bug for almost 3 weeks now, but I have found a total of
3 cockroach legs in my car, 2 in the trunk and 1 where I initially found
the roach.
My question is, could the bug still be alive in the car? There is no food
or dirt in the vehicle, and no boxes either. Why am I finding Roach legs
in my trunk?
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Ask the Exterminator
01 Aug 2009, 18:32
There may have been more than one roach to begin. They are cannibalistic.
One eats the other leaving a few legs around. Once that food source is
gone, the survivor dies. It could happen!
jessica
01 Aug 2009, 18:33
Does the raid concentrates deep reach fogger work for these suckers?
Ask the Exterminator
01 Aug 2009, 18:36
There is nothing magic about a fogger no matter what name the manufacturer
calls it. It's a maketing game. The only thing that makes it "reach deep"
is the ingredients. If a roach is well hidden the fog will not get to it.
You need to eliminate clutter and all the possible hiding places. Then, any
treatment that gets near the roach will force it out of cracks in which it
is hiding.
Leslie
05 Aug 2009, 17:08
Ok, so for the past 3 months or so, my husband and I have killed about 10
or more palmetto roaches in our bathroom. I live in a 3 bedroom apartment
and this is the ONLY place we see them! We've had pest control over and
recently maintenance covered a hole under the cabinet. We are EXTREMELY
clean and have no idea why the keep popping up. Two days ago I covered the
vent with tape and now I close all the drains. But I don't know what else
to do! They are HUGE and I am extremely scared of them.
Ellie Parker
14 Aug 2009, 13:17
HELPPPPPPPPPPPPP I hate these little well not so little bugs what do I do
to get rid of them ???
jamestownrd
17 Aug 2009, 02:35
I am from northern Minnesota....are these large bugs from mexico laraza? I
want 25 degrees below zero and a good pair of mittens.why doesn't obamma
attack these things....foolish democrat....quit sAving money bary
Terrified Apartment Dweller
23 Aug 2009, 21:37
What is the best way to repel palmetto bugs if you are living in an
apartment building? I had an exterminator out 3 weeks ago because I
started to find 3 and 4 each morning that the cats had killed.
Unfortunately one of my cats ate one and due to the barbs on its legs, it
ripped open her throat and stomach. $3000 and 3 surgeries for my poor baby
cat. So the exterminator put that bait gel in the cabinets and some powder
stuff around under the sofa and behind dressers. I didn't see any after he
was here.
That is until today. I am in the process of moving and the cats had got
one last night (found it this morning sans legs) and then horror of horrors
had one in the car!!!! It flew right at me as I was driving, I almost ran
off the road.
I have an absolutely irrational terror of these things. I use Raid spray
when I see them, but how do I keep them out!??!?! I am moving into a new
apartment and am completely freaked out that I am bringing them with me
now.
What can I put down to repel and kill?
Thank you!
Terrified Apartment Dweller
23 Aug 2009, 21:41
P.S.
Even though I am moving, I don't use cardboard boxes. I heard that the
palmettos love cardboard boxes. Anything that comes into my house with a
box gets immediately transfered into a rubbermaid container and the box is
thrown out (removed from the apartment) teh same day.
I also obsessive about picking up the cat food dish before bed, but they
even come out in the day and wander around while I am watching TV with all
the lights on. Dishes are washed immediately and I even dry the sink after.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mailly
01 Sep 2009, 22:30
Hi I recently moved into an apartment (Charleston SC) complex that provides
pest control inside and out. However, the three weeks I have lived here I
have seen 6 Palmetto Bugs. They have been spotted in my kitchen cabinet,
Bathroom drawers and bedroom floor. I am looking for something that will
not counteract what the pest control guys already do. Should I be using
baits? Roach hotels? If so where can I get them they aren't at my grocery
store or walmart? Also I am hoping for something pet friendly. Thanks!
Kelly
01 Sep 2009, 22:33
Hi I already have pest control but still have seen 6 palmetto bugs what can
I use in combination that will get the suckers that sneak in. Thanks!
TRIPPED OUT NEW RESIDENT
03 Sep 2009, 13:23
LAST NIGHT WHILE WATCHING TV THIS DISGUSTING GIANT DEMON COMES SPRINTING
ACROSS MY COUCH, IN MY HORROR I JUMPED UP AND GOT MY HOLY OIL (RAID) TO
KILL THIS SAVAGE BEAST. I SATURATED THIS NASTY FREAK WITH A HALF OF CAN AND
IT HAD THE GUMPTION TO LIVE, IT RAN UNDER MY ACCESSORY CHAIR,WHEN I MOVED
IT, THE BUG HAD DISAPPEARED, NEEDLESS TO SAY MY PARALYZING FEAR KEPT ME
FROM SLEEPING LAST NIGHT. STILL NO SIGN OF THE NASTY BUG...
NO RELIEF
24 Sep 2009, 07:50
Bought an older home in South Florida last November, blocks from the beach,
great location. Signed on with an exterminator for termites, called them
back in for Rodents (two rats in the house talk about freaked out), now
this summer brought frogs (dozens) that crawl up our windows and house
walls (do they live on the roof?) they swim in our pool and lay dozens and
dozens of eggs... and palmetto bugs... lots and lots of palmetto's. I am
in denial, I am fanatically clean and loosing my mind. Our service came
into the house and we've closed up 100's of cracks, all plumbing holes we
know of, actually screened all the ac ducts, and still (he is due to come
today as a matter of fact) this morning my cats found two very vibrant
alive and well roaches!! Two compared to a dozen a day is comforting to a
point, they have not gone up into our small attic though, outside of bull
dozing the entire house what else can we do? Would surrounding the home
with concrete deck help? How can we treat the attic it is fairly small and
hard to crawl into? My point is we pay for Monthly service and still have
problems... sorry everyone, unless you had really conscientious builders
you would have to pull out vanities and tear up walls to find all the holes
and cracks they leave even in the nicest, newest buildings!! Did I mention
the Iguana's in the yard with their huge droppings? Ahhh the joys of living
near the beach in sunny South Florida, NOT.
Chris
22 Oct 2009, 11:54
Wow, I've been dreaming/obsessing/fantasizing of leaving cold MI and
relocating to Florida. These stories are hell! There is a device that
plugs into the wall (they work fantastically here in MI)it looks similar to
a carbon dioxide detector and costs $30.00. I thought I'd get one when we
get to Florida. Has anyone tried this device?? It sends out piercing
sounds that people don't hear, it wonderful. However, if you have small
pets like hamster/guniea pigs, it isn't recommended. These are found in
hardware stores. Please try one and let me know how it works.
Don Don The Scarey Man
28 Oct 2009, 03:18
I have found a way to battle these Giant Ugly Creatures but my wife is
ready to divorce me. I go into the bathroom and long behold here's this big
thing jumps on my leg. I swore he bit me but it could be my Imagination
because me being the tough guy that I am I jump screamed and grabbed my
wife's hair spray. Oh yes her hair spray and sprayed the crap out of him
and he froze up and couldn't even move. Now this is the best stuff that
they ever made for a lady no wonder there hair stay straight and strong the
whole day. Way to go ladies my VOTE HAIR SPRAY. Oh the reason why I said my
wife will divorce me is that she made a comment if I use her stuff replace
it or else.
GLamphere
20 Nov 2009, 07:08
We just moved into a rental house for a month and have most of our stuff
still in boxes. I have seen two palmetto bugs in the house, one dead the
other not so much. My question is, will they get into our boxes and be
transferred with us? I dont' want to empty all our boxes to make sure we
are not bringing any unwanted visitors. Also, the boxes are being
transported via large tractor trailor from the SE to the NE. Will the cold
kill them if they are in there?
Thanks
