Wow! I was thinking of buying a mobile home in Florida and become a
'Snowbird'. I'm having second thoughts about it. I don't want those
critters in my house or around me!
Palmetto Bugs
Summary: Palmetto bug is just another word for American Cockroach. These suckers are big, they can fly, and they aren't scared of anything or anyone. Palmetto bugs are creepy, but getting rid of palmetto bugs can be a cinch.
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.
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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?
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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 a pesticide like Tempo 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. Don't want to touch pesticide? Go for the Advion Roach Bait Arena. It's large enough the handle the American cockroach.
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
oxoboxo
21 Jan 2010, 09:05
21 Jan 2010, 09:05
cathcart
22 Jan 2010, 00:38
22 Jan 2010, 00:38
This won't help those of you in apartments, but if you have a yard make
sure that it has no rotting wood/stumps in it. I once moved into a house
that was full of the things, and nothing would get rid of them. Finally a
pest guy came and figured out that an old tree stump a few feet from the
house was infested and probably the source. I had the stump removed, and
that completely solved the problem. If you live in an apartment, though,
you have to get ALL of your neighbors to keep things clean and so forth.
One sloppy neighbor and everybody gets the bugs.
DD
23 Jan 2010, 21:28
23 Jan 2010, 21:28
No, don't move to Florida! They probably have way more problems than
Charleston and not half the charm. Pick another state. Cali maybe. Carmel
is beautiful. No idea if they have roaches, though.
As of now we have two things motivating us to move: cockroaches and our landlords. Fortunately, we only have a six-month lease, so we will probably look for somewhere with legit management and a better pest control program in six months. Or we will look for a house to buy in Vermont.
Other than the cockroaches and our landlords being cheap and lazy, we love Charleston, and it's a shame we can't feel comfortable here, because I love seeing dolphins in the harbor EVERY TIME we pass by. They put on a good show for us the other day. And I haven't put gas in my car since I got here because we walk or ride our bikes everywhere.
I can't believe the people here with 10-million dollar homes live with cockroaches. Maybe I'll go knock on their doors and ask for their advice... or a room to rent...
As of now we have two things motivating us to move: cockroaches and our landlords. Fortunately, we only have a six-month lease, so we will probably look for somewhere with legit management and a better pest control program in six months. Or we will look for a house to buy in Vermont.
Other than the cockroaches and our landlords being cheap and lazy, we love Charleston, and it's a shame we can't feel comfortable here, because I love seeing dolphins in the harbor EVERY TIME we pass by. They put on a good show for us the other day. And I haven't put gas in my car since I got here because we walk or ride our bikes everywhere.
I can't believe the people here with 10-million dollar homes live with cockroaches. Maybe I'll go knock on their doors and ask for their advice... or a room to rent...
gary
10 Feb 2010, 13:32
10 Feb 2010, 13:32
Long time Florida resident, and the best thing I have found to rid the area
of 'palmetto bugs' is a simple mixture of half baking soda and half
powdered sugar. I place this in some shallow container, like a beer bottle
cap, or even a small square of paper with the edges folded up. Replace
every day until you don't see any droppings or signs of eating. New ones
will get back in, so leave some around to check on. I have read the
roaches eat the tainted sugar and the acid in their stomach explodes, but
they are carnivorous so others eat the dead. I have yet to see a dead one,
but they just 'dissappear'! How nice for us!
Dawn
22 Mar 2010, 14:49
22 Mar 2010, 14:49
My husband and i just had a new home built. during the walkthorugh, we saw
palmetto bugs just hanging out on the windows. the builder told us they
should go away during the winter. Well, winter has passed and they are a
constant in my home. we see at least 4 to 6 of them a day. i want
something that doesn't just kill them, but keeps them from returning...
Please help!
Nicole Gray
13 May 2010, 21:33
13 May 2010, 21:33
Ok here is the worst yet.
I moved here (FL) from MI.
3 mornings ago, I was awakened out of a deep comfy sleep by a wonderful palmetto but crawling across my face over my nose and .....I SAT UP SO FAST, RAN FOR THE FLASHLIGHT AND THERE HE WAS SCAMPERING DOWN AND TRYING TO GO UNDER MY BED!
First one I have seen since I moved here last July. I caught him with sticky paper....I have been itching ever since and trying to forget about this!
I can't believe people live with these things.....SO top that!!
I moved here (FL) from MI.
3 mornings ago, I was awakened out of a deep comfy sleep by a wonderful palmetto but crawling across my face over my nose and .....I SAT UP SO FAST, RAN FOR THE FLASHLIGHT AND THERE HE WAS SCAMPERING DOWN AND TRYING TO GO UNDER MY BED!
First one I have seen since I moved here last July. I caught him with sticky paper....I have been itching ever since and trying to forget about this!
I can't believe people live with these things.....SO top that!!
Giselle
17 May 2010, 08:41
17 May 2010, 08:41
I am horrified of those creatures and the best way to kill them is alcohol.
My grandmohter use to put it in a plastic mustard/ketchup bottle and
squirt at the roaches. They do try to run but they die almost right away
and you don't have to be very close to them.
Squirt a good amount. It might take 2 or 3 shots but it really works!
Squirt a good amount. It might take 2 or 3 shots but it really works!
Ask the Exterminator
17 May 2010, 10:15
17 May 2010, 10:15
Any alcohol-based product will kill an insect. That's why Windex works.
Dianna
31 May 2010, 22:03
31 May 2010, 22:03
I live in Florida and I am in fear of these nasty disgusting things! But
all of a sudden they are flying around in my back and front yard! They
don't usually fly around here but I have been told that they are in mating
season. Does anyone know how long this season lasts with these scary
disgusing giant eeerieee bugs???
Ask the Exterminator
01 Jun 2010, 10:16
01 Jun 2010, 10:16
Some say the mating season is May and June, but female cockroaches, on
average, produce an egg case about once a month for ten months laying 16
eggs per egg case. I would say the mating season depends upon temperature.
The spring of the year would be the obvious time frame.
Delaney
10 Jun 2010, 08:52
10 Jun 2010, 08:52
I run shrieking when I see a cockroach, but my cat runs faster - he hides
for several hours after encountering one - I am definitely phobic re the "
palmetto bug " -
SueNJ
10 Jun 2010, 17:46
10 Jun 2010, 17:46
I also live in Charleston and have for 4 years. Have had very little
trouble with these guys inside my condo..but right now I have one inside of
my CAR and can't catch him to get him out! He makes sure that he taunts me
everytime I drive and today ran right over me and I almost lost control of
the car. Any ideas?? Thanks!
(Hoping if its a female that she isnt pregnant!!)
(Hoping if its a female that she isnt pregnant!!)
jacks
10 Jun 2010, 22:31
10 Jun 2010, 22:31
Cunfused!!
I lived in St.Pete for 3 years and never had one Palmetto bug I heard about them but never saw one bug. I moved to another state for several years then decided to move back but now I live in a different area by water. I was shocked because now I have them almost all the time so I am confused. I am wondering could it be the area by water that makes a difference?????
I lived in St.Pete for 3 years and never had one Palmetto bug I heard about them but never saw one bug. I moved to another state for several years then decided to move back but now I live in a different area by water. I was shocked because now I have them almost all the time so I am confused. I am wondering could it be the area by water that makes a difference?????
Ask the Exterminator
11 Jun 2010, 12:24
11 Jun 2010, 12:24
Sue:
I know how unnerving it can be to have one of those monsters running around under your feet. I recommend insect glue traps. You can buy them at http://shop.asktheexterminator.com/cockroach/trapper-monitor-insect-traps.h tml. Put out a couple dozen traps under the seats, under the dash, on the dash and any location where that roach thinks it can hide.
I know how unnerving it can be to have one of those monsters running around under your feet. I recommend insect glue traps. You can buy them at http://shop.asktheexterminator.com/cockroach/trapper-monitor-insect-traps.h tml. Put out a couple dozen traps under the seats, under the dash, on the dash and any location where that roach thinks it can hide.
Ask the Exterminator
11 Jun 2010, 12:26
11 Jun 2010, 12:26
Jacks,
It certainly could be caused by the proximity to water along with a number of other reasons. A change in the type of landscaping could increase activity, too.
It certainly could be caused by the proximity to water along with a number of other reasons. A change in the type of landscaping could increase activity, too.
Destini
15 Jun 2010, 01:36
15 Jun 2010, 01:36
Well about a few minutes ago im sitting in my room and a large bug lands on
my leg. I freaked out and it flew to the wall. Then it flew on my bed and
then back on the ground. I knew it was a Palmetto Bug but i didnt know it
could fly. So i looked it up and found out that i can use the windex to
kill or just scare it away and i havent seen it yet.
GRANDMA
15 Jun 2010, 21:32
15 Jun 2010, 21:32
I LIVE IN AZ. NOW. FROM WI..WE HAVE CENTIPEDES IN WI. THAT RUN SO FAST AND
ARE SO HORRIBLE! HERE WE HAVE AMERICAN ROACHES. AWFUL THEY WILL RUN RIGHT
AT YOU IF YOU SPRAY THEM! MY WORST NIGHTMARE. I HAVE AN EXTERMINATOR AND WE
SPRAY TOO. HATE THEM!!
Norma Chanda
20 Jun 2010, 10:21
20 Jun 2010, 10:21
Okay, moved to SC from NY, palmetto bug problem. You have to declare war on
these critters and be a dedicated activist. Black and Decker electronic
plug in bug repellents do work, put them in every room and even outside on
front and back porch, bomb every couple months in storage area over garage
where they have been spotted,did this two or three times first couple of
weeks, then went to couple months, filled vacuum bag outside in driveway in
front of garage, came out by the hundreds in all sizes, bought can of great
stuff, sealed every crack around pipes I could find, don't forget holes
where cap is on bottom of toilet,,on the side. Make sure sinks are covered
with drain cover at night. Keep on guard and win, so far I have seen only
three and that was after cleaning windows and one was not fully closed,
been three months, not a one other then those three. Also, white vinegar
for fire ants, pour it right down the mound, if it does not kill the queen,
it will at least make them move far away for quite sometime, read that
remedy online, so far it's worked and i've been down here two years now.
Good Luck!
at war with palmetto bastard, or bitch..
26 Jun 2010, 00:23
26 Jun 2010, 00:23
I was about to close the closet door when i noticed a HUGE.....THING
sitting on the top rim of the door. I said to myself..."how did it crawl
all the way up there?" so I got a storage bin cover and "fanned" it...i
didnt think the palmetto bug would move but it did...in fact it FLEW! I ran
out of the room, forgetting that my 2 year old was sleeping on the bed and
it could be attacking here! I didn't know where it went so I fanned the
cover again. It flew to the window from behind the closet door. I was
trying so hard to think of how to kill it! I didn't know what to do....mind
you this was about 30 minutes ago. So I had to protect my daughter so I
make a fort with a blanket and hid her in it while I was at war with the
palmetto bug. It was on the blinds so I threw a shoe at it to make it fly
so that I can hit it to the floor with the bin cover. It flew around and
eventually to the next window, and my heart was beating so fast I was so
scared, while it was flying around I was sitting on the bed swinging around
the bin cover closing my eye. I didn't want to make it any more upset, so I
decided to move myself and my daughter to the spare room. The bug is still
on the window in what is now HIS ROOM. HE TOOK OVER. Or she, but I sure
hope not. I locked him in the room and put a towel under the door. I am now
unable to sleep, due to all of these stories about palmetto bugs on legs
and faces. I feel like bugs are attacking me as I am sitting here typing
this. I am scared to put my feet down off of the chair. It is 12:22 am in
Charleston. I have nothing to do.
Norma Chanda
26 Jun 2010, 05:23
26 Jun 2010, 05:23
To at war with the bastard, or bitch. This is the problem, your showing
your fear and I swear, not only can these suckers be the size of a dog,
they can smell fear like one to. You need to get a fly swatter, go in there
with anger, go right up to the sucker and swat it the first time, Like you
really mean it, show that sucker who is boss and show it just how much you
detest it, there have been very few that I have not done the job on, on the
very first swat, never had one chase me yet, I know, it's like they are
reading your mind and know what your about to do, but, stay determined.
GOOD Luck, be safe, it's a hell of a war!
Norma Chanda
26 Jun 2010, 05:31
26 Jun 2010, 05:31
One other thing I recently discovered about Palmetto bugs aka American
Cockroach, is that they live underground, I did not know this. I knew they
lived in moist areas like trees, under pine straw, etc... I planted some
plants last week, dug about six inches down in ground with my shovel and
holy schmolley, (my made up word) there was a the biggest one I've ever
seen yet, at least a full 2 inches if not even more. Took me ten minutes to
make sure the job was done with that one. No wonder it's not so easy to get
rid of them, living so far underground like that. If they do communicate
with each other, they know they are taking their life in their creepy legs,
coming into my home.
Ask the Exterminator
26 Jun 2010, 23:18
26 Jun 2010, 23:18
Pretty soon you'll be convinced that these cockroaches are listening in to
your conversations and are planning on taking over your toaster oven. Get a
grip! They're insects. They react. They don't think.
Misty Lenhart
30 Jun 2010, 19:35
30 Jun 2010, 19:35
New resident to NC and had my first encounter with the lovely Palemetto
bug. We were watching the new Alice in Wonderland. During the scene when
Alice arrived in wonderland there were a bunch of flying bugs. That's when
the stupid cocoroach landed on the tv. I literally about freaked because I
have never seen a bug this big in my house!!! Luckily my husband was able
to kill it but I am now so freaked. I got Ortho Home Defense and sprayed
around the outside of the apartment and in the cracks around the stove,
washer, etc. Will this work? Since the first encounter I saw one more. I am
going to barf if one lands on me....sleeping or not!
Norma Chanda
30 Jun 2010, 20:42
30 Jun 2010, 20:42
Ask the Exterminator, Are you a cockroach? They sure do act like they know
your there and know what your about to do, heck, the first few months I
lived in SC, I had one huge sucker outside my front and back door , facing
the door as though it was saying, "Well, where the hell have you been, I've
been waiting to get in for hours. " I think your the only one that needs to
get a grip exterminator, lighten up, if ya have to live with them, you
might as well joke about them, besides, doing that can sometimes help
others to relax a little more and look at it from a comical sense, rather
then utter fear, my daughter has a serious phobia to the point that she
feels ill, sometimes providing a little comic relief and distraction can
help.
Norma Chanda
30 Jun 2010, 20:57
30 Jun 2010, 20:57
By the way Exterminator, i'm sure they would love toaster ovens, isn't that
where they would find a terrific food supply of crumbs? Of course not in
mine though, i'm ocd with cleaning and clean mine on a regular basis.:)
Megan S
01 Jul 2010, 02:37
01 Jul 2010, 02:37
Ick Ick Ick Ick!!! I moved to FL from OH because of my husband being in the
military... We live in a very nice apartment complex, beautiful apartment,
beautiful view, TAINTED by the dreaded Palmetto Bug!! I love sitting on the
deck and admiring the view, especially after dark when it's all lit up. But
am absolutely horrified!!! Every time we see one (usually about every
night) I run in the apartment like a little girl, hand the roach killer to
the hubby and shut and lock the door, I guess I figure he isn't coming in
till it's dead! LOL. But these things are my WORST nightmare!! My husband
retires in a couple years so we're bee-lining it back up north. I will be
packed and ready to bolt the day he get's handed his discharge papers. I've
also never seen a roach till we moved here! It just makes living in Florida
absolutely miserable!!!
WingsMom
05 Jul 2010, 03:20
05 Jul 2010, 03:20
Another SC resident here, ... and we can go for months without seeing one
of these horrid creatures, and then (this past week) we've encountered 4 of
them in the house! All different places too! I'm with the other readers in
saying I really fear for one getting in the baby's crib at night, but I
can't turn the light on and check every night either! I will say we see
them in the kitchen the most, and strangly enough the kitchen is cleaned
more than any other room in the house. Go figure! I won't say that they are
a big enough problem to consider moving. (I'd still rather deal with them
than snow!), but I sure with there was a sure fire way to keep them out of
the house for good. Even one encounter is enough to creep a person out for
a long time. I'm going to try some of the ideas mentioned in here, and hope
that I can bring my sighting down to once or twice a year, ... I could live
with that.
NYLandlord
07 Jul 2010, 01:59
07 Jul 2010, 01:59
They live in the drain pipes. I know this because I was changing a toilet
with my son, and when we removed the old one, there they were, clinging to
the inside of the pipe. Jeez, it gets the heart going fast in no time.
Those that tried to crawl out to escape (or attack, that's how it seemed to
me), were stomped on. Then we sprayed Hornet-Wasp spray down the 4 inch
pipe. It kills them pretty fast. More came charging up the pipe, and we
kept spraying. We must have alerted the queen, because by the time we
finally installed the new toilet, a HUGE one came running up from the
inside of the dry bowl. Call me a chicken, but I don't want to change
another toilet anytime soon. Now I'm wondering, what would be a relatively
safe liquid that I could pour down the drain to kill them? Ammonia?
Clorox? (never mix the two by the way, it creates a poison gas). There's
got to be something that kills them inside of pipes, but I've yet to find
out. Anybody know?
Ask the Exterminator
07 Jul 2010, 10:11
07 Jul 2010, 10:11
American cockroaches (Palmetto bugs) don't have queens. They're big, and
some are bigger, but no queens.
Don't pour pesticides down the drain. It's against the law. Cockroaches make their way up sewer lines from main sewer taps. There is little you can do about it other than hiring a Rootor-Rooter-type company to jet out the lines occasionally. The roaches will come back, but it does clean the line for a time.
Don't pour pesticides down the drain. It's against the law. Cockroaches make their way up sewer lines from main sewer taps. There is little you can do about it other than hiring a Rootor-Rooter-type company to jet out the lines occasionally. The roaches will come back, but it does clean the line for a time.
Norma Chanda
07 Jul 2010, 16:00
07 Jul 2010, 16:00
NY Landlord, make sure that any holes on the bottom side of toilet is
covered, I used a product called "great stuff", they can climb up through
the tiniest of holes. I also make sure that sink drains are either closed
or covered with a drain cover and I also discovered they were coming in
under the molding inside the bath, if there is any gap at all that you can
see, seal it. I did that just the other day with silicone, so far, so good.
Fire Ants have a Queen, never heard of a cockroach Queen, though they are a
royal pain in the, well, you know. ;)
NYLandlord
07 Jul 2010, 23:54
07 Jul 2010, 23:54
Good to know there are no queens. Just my imagination getting the better
of me. I did kill two more monster sized ones yesterday... easily 2 full
inches long. They come out when it's Hot and Humid, I find. Yesterday was
a steamy 102ยบ here.
Thanks for the info and tips, Ask the Exterminator and Norma. And thanks for pointing that out. I won't be dumping any chemicals down the drains.
I AM still curious if there are any environmentally safe liquid repellents that would do the trick. (Kind of like when you don't want raccoons, you spray some hot pepper oil on the cans and lids.) Does anyone know if there is anything natural that acts as roach repellent?
Thanks for the info and tips, Ask the Exterminator and Norma. And thanks for pointing that out. I won't be dumping any chemicals down the drains.
I AM still curious if there are any environmentally safe liquid repellents that would do the trick. (Kind of like when you don't want raccoons, you spray some hot pepper oil on the cans and lids.) Does anyone know if there is anything natural that acts as roach repellent?
Ask the Exterminator
08 Jul 2010, 07:33
08 Jul 2010, 07:33
A product called Eco Exempt IC-2 is totally non-toxic to mammals. You can
find it at http://shop.asktheexterminator.com/eco-exempt-ic-2.html.
TotallyGrossedOutSouthernGirl
10 Jul 2010, 12:48
10 Jul 2010, 12:48
After 29 years, I've come to the conclusion that the only thing that gets
rid of those nasty beings is a 9mm. They talk, seriously. Word gets around
at the Cockroack Compound that Sally Sue is packing heat and declaring war.
Then they just move to the neighbors house LOL
Cherry P.
14 Jul 2010, 17:25
14 Jul 2010, 17:25
I hate these things, but they love us. I have 2 kids under 5, one of them
autistic. Our house has a hard time staying clean.
Worse, the previous owners were foreclosed on and left the garage open, apparently. When we moved in, there were dozens of them in there. We swept them away and hoped the problem was gone; not even close!
We'll go for a month or two without seeing any, and then we'll be killing 1 every other day for 2 weeks. For whatever reason (moisture, maybe?) they are particularly drawn to our bathrooms; that's where I see them the most. Think I'll enlist hubby to seal off entries in the house, maybe that will help some.
Worse, the previous owners were foreclosed on and left the garage open, apparently. When we moved in, there were dozens of them in there. We swept them away and hoped the problem was gone; not even close!
We'll go for a month or two without seeing any, and then we'll be killing 1 every other day for 2 weeks. For whatever reason (moisture, maybe?) they are particularly drawn to our bathrooms; that's where I see them the most. Think I'll enlist hubby to seal off entries in the house, maybe that will help some.
GA girl
18 Jul 2010, 01:46
18 Jul 2010, 01:46
We have lived in Georgia for almost 4 years and until two weeks ago had
never seen one of these cockroaches in our house. We suddenly had two come
out of the air conditioner vents into our downstairs recreation room within
minutes of each other. Then today we had one downstairs on a table and one
in an upstairs bedroom!
I have not figured out why suddenly they are here and how they are getting in, but you guys have given me some ideas to check out.
Thanks
I have not figured out why suddenly they are here and how they are getting in, but you guys have given me some ideas to check out.
Thanks
Norma Chanda
18 Jul 2010, 06:51
18 Jul 2010, 06:51
GA girl, that is the one area that i'm stumped with how to fix. I had
suspected for a long time that they were coming out of the ac vents, one
day one fell right out in front of me and that is when I had my
confirmation. I have closed some of the vents, but as you know, it's hot
down here in the South and I can't possible close them all, would you mind
sharing your ideas for the vent problems. Thanks. P.S. I also saw where one
literally squeezed itself through the seam of my DR door that leads to the
outside porch, I heard this pop when it actually pushed itself threw, I
went and bought a plastic door sweep and put electrical tape part way up
the side for at night, so far, so good.
Debbie Cook
26 Jul 2010, 01:24
26 Jul 2010, 01:24
We recently moved to south Fl. and I am getting bombarded, snakes
everywhere including inside my house, and heres the best part, if you kill
the nonpoisnous snakes then the poison ones show up and so do palmetto
bugs, because apparantly the nonpoisonous snakes keep all the other vermon
away, its just wonderful here, I love it, not!I lived in the panhandle of
Fl. for several yrs never had a problem just an occasional palmetto bug,
but a monthly exterminater took care of that, but here its just ridiculous!
Betty Bartlett
06 Aug 2010, 14:35
06 Aug 2010, 14:35
I just moved into a cute little cottage here in Florida that has a problem
with these monster bugs. I also have a problem with wasps and their nests.
Several times while trying to get rid of the wasp nests, I've seen
palmettos. I've learned that wasp spray kills these nasty creatures almost
immediately, but the best part is you can spray them from several feet away
and watch them DIE!!!!
Ashley
12 Aug 2010, 01:17
12 Aug 2010, 01:17
Last night I was sitting in my room when I
look down at the floor and see this nasty thing crawling up my wall! I screamed ran into my sisters room got our dog and made him come eat it. Well he crawled into my closet so I guess he can have it. I am not going in there while it's
Alive!
look down at the floor and see this nasty thing crawling up my wall! I screamed ran into my sisters room got our dog and made him come eat it. Well he crawled into my closet so I guess he can have it. I am not going in there while it's
Alive!
Phiasgram
15 Aug 2010, 14:51
15 Aug 2010, 14:51
I have lived in this condo for 10 years without any signs of Palmetto bugs.
I am on the sixth floor and last Monday a big, disgusting thing appeared
on my kitchen counter. I was freaked out. Then last night I saw one in my
bathtub and when I tried to kill it it ran down the drain. They are so
grossly disgusting and difficult to kill. I just bought a large can of
RAID roach killer and Combat roach traps for large roaches. If I see any
more, I' may have to move. YUK!!!
Me'chelle
28 Aug 2010, 11:37
28 Aug 2010, 11:37
two days ago I went into my room at night and picked up my comic book paper
as it had fallen.And there was a HUGE American cockroach and man when I
lifted that paper he was gone!
He moved blindly fast, he was hard to track every time I tried to get him he would pull a Houdini on me.
I woke up my dad but we lost him.
I couldn't sleep a wink, so taking advice what my dad said about my room being crowded I started cleaning my room.
I then started to pick up a clear container and there he was! under the container feeling around with his filthy antennae then I slammed the container on him then he began to panic.
He was escaping and I beheaded him by accident woo! I enjoyed getting him.
I threw him into the toilet his body constantly shook around.
We rarely get the large ones. usually the small or large outdoor roaches that smeel funny when you stomp on them my dad bought some mothballs they and myself can't stand the smell and he will get some boric acid.
Our mobile home isn't infested I will rarely see 10 of them in a year, we've been seeing more as my dad's new live in girlfriend smokes alot at night which they then come in.
I hate roaches!!!
He moved blindly fast, he was hard to track every time I tried to get him he would pull a Houdini on me.
I woke up my dad but we lost him.
I couldn't sleep a wink, so taking advice what my dad said about my room being crowded I started cleaning my room.
I then started to pick up a clear container and there he was! under the container feeling around with his filthy antennae then I slammed the container on him then he began to panic.
He was escaping and I beheaded him by accident woo! I enjoyed getting him.
I threw him into the toilet his body constantly shook around.
We rarely get the large ones. usually the small or large outdoor roaches that smeel funny when you stomp on them my dad bought some mothballs they and myself can't stand the smell and he will get some boric acid.
Our mobile home isn't infested I will rarely see 10 of them in a year, we've been seeing more as my dad's new live in girlfriend smokes alot at night which they then come in.
I hate roaches!!!
Brooke
01 Sep 2010, 08:56
01 Sep 2010, 08:56
Stayed at a nice hotel in Beaufort, SC recently to watch my son graduate
boot camp from Parris Island Marine base. I had a horrifying experience in
the middle of the night when I got up to use the bathroom. Sitting there
minding and doing my business, one came running right AT me! I couldn't
stop peeing, but HAD to run and fell backwards into the tub with my pants
around my ankles, still peeing the whole time. I grabbed anything I could
find and hit it several times... at least 10. It wouldn't die! My husband
came in and we both took turns assaulting it. Finally thought it was dead
and threw it in the trash... I noticed one leg still moving, but was too
horrified to pull it off the top of the trash to finish it off. THE NEXT
MORNING IT WAS GONE! IT LIVED!
I doubt if I should ever visit South Carolina again! A shame too... it's a beautiful state, but it's infested beyond control, I think!
For all of you who live there, move north! The bugs here are normal size!
I doubt if I should ever visit South Carolina again! A shame too... it's a beautiful state, but it's infested beyond control, I think!
For all of you who live there, move north! The bugs here are normal size!
Margaret B.
01 Sep 2010, 15:51
01 Sep 2010, 15:51
I live in Cleveland, in an apartment building on the 14th floor and I have
them! I wasn't sure what they were, so I asked a "real" exterminator that
happened to be in the building (for another matter). I had killed several
one day and for some reason kept it. He told me what it was and said that
it was rare for them to be that high up (like I said, I am on the 14th
floor). He sprayed and I hadn't seen any in a while but they're baaaaack! I
hate 'em. I think I'll try the boric acid. I'd try the cat, but I can't
have any pets!
Norma Chanda
01 Sep 2010, 21:40
01 Sep 2010, 21:40
@ Broooke, I just received news today that I have to have surgery and I
really,. really needed a good laugh sooooo thanks. ROFLMAO! That was
hysterical.