Palmetto Bug

October 29th, 2008 Posted in Ants & Roaches



If you turn on a light and see a cockroach, but it doesn’t duck for cover, you have probably encountered an American cockroach, also known as a palmetto bug—a popular euphemism in the Southern United States. (The terms palmetto bug and American cockroach will be used interchangeably in this article.)

Unlike their roach relatives, these pests are not known to scatter in light, but luckily, are easier to kill than smaller roaches, like the German cockroach.

This article will answer:

  • What do American cockroaches look like?

  • Where do palmetto bugs like to live?

  • Do palmetto bugs bite?

  • Why is the American cockroach a problem?

  • How do you get rid of palmetto bugs?

Did you know? Surprisingly, the American cockroach is not native to America. Evidence indicates that they were transported to the Americas on slave ships from tropical Africa.


What do palmetto bugs look like?

Adult palmetto bugs have wings and sometimes fly (and you didn’t think they could get more disturbing). These pests prefer running to flying, however.

The American cockroach is the largest home-infesting cockroach. Males and females are about the same size (approximately 1 1/2 inches long) and look very similar. Both use finger-like appendages called “cerci” to detect air currents, but males have an additional set of appendages called “styli” on their abdomens, which can be used to distinguish between the sexes.

Finally, immature American cockroaches look like wingless adults.


Where do palmetto bugs like to live?

Although a palmetto bug may have set up camp in your home, this pest generally lives outdoors. If indoors, American cockroaches like to stick to food prpreparation areas like restaurants, grocery stores, and bakeries. They also like warm, moist locations like boiler rooms and sewers.

These are the conditions this pest prefers:

  • Outdoors

  • Moist, humid environments

  • Areas with easy access to water

  • Temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (cannot survive in temperatures at or below 15°F)

During winter months, this pest moves inside seeking moisture and warmth.


Do palmetto bugs bite?

If Eco and his dog friends won’t eat leftover scraps, a palmetto bug might. American cockroaches eat many materials, including cosmetics, beer, cheese, bakery products, potted plant shoots, soiled clothing, wallpaper paste, starch in book bindings, postage stamps, hair, dead animals, and fermenting fruit.

Palmetto bugs have been known to take a nibble at humans as well! Bites are very rare and usually only occur if the roach population is large, while food isn’t available.


Why is the American cockroach a problem?

Many people are grossed out by bugs in general, but in the case of the American cockroach their disgust and dislike may be warranted.

They produce a strong, unpleasant odor that is not only detectable in infested buildings, but is also transferred to items the cockroaches contact as they crawl across them. So, a palmetto bug can be detected by a trained nose before one has actually been seen.

Further, American cockroaches pose health risks:

Bacteria problems:

  • Known to carry infectious bacteria on bodies and in guts.

  • Transfer infectious bacteria to food and other items cockroaches contact.

  • Bacteria can cause food poisoning, dysentery, and diarrhea.

Allergy problems:

  • Produce allergens on their bodies, in fecal matter and from shed skin.

  • Can cause allergic dermatitis and childhood asthma.


How do you get rid of palmetto bugs?

If you want to get rid of this pest, you should consider detecting them first. To do so, there are a few methods you can try:

  1. After dark, examine dark places with a flashlight to spot them.

  2. During the day, search hiding places by poking around with a wire, which will cause the roaches to come out and play.

  3. Use sticky traps to monitor where an infestation is occurring and put them around your home and in place for at least 24 hours.

Using traps is great for detection, but not for population control. Also, traps are not recommended for outside use, since they aren’t weather resistant and could catch non-target insects.

After detection, target those areas and try the following…


Conventional Chemical treatments:

Baits:

The most common active ingredients in American cockroach baits are: hydramethylnon, fipronil, abamectin, and imidacloprid.

  • Dusts are applied into cracks, crevices, and wall voids with a bulb duster or as an aerosol.

  • Pastes and gels come in a syringe for application.

  • Most granular baits are used around the perimeter of a structure, but can be applied in wall voids using a bulb duster.

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs):

Common active ingredients include hydroprene and pryipoifen.

  • Usually professional-use-only products

  • Slow-acting

  • Disrupt normal development of immature cockroaches making them sterile as adults

  • Roaches die of attrition

  • Available in spray or point-source dispensers

Inorganic Dusts:

Dusts and aerogels are respiratory irritants. Use with caution.

  • Applied for indoor control with a squeeze-bulb duster.

  • Dust puffs into cracks and crevices.

Examples:

  • Silica aerogel dehydrates roaches.

  • Boric acid poisons roaches.

Chemical Sprays:

Always read the label and follow exact instructions and precautions when using insecticidal spray.

Be cautious. Sprays should not be used to treat entire floors, walls, or ceiling, nor should they be used where food is prepared.

To use:

  1. Enter a dark room and turn on the light to see where roaches run—these are their hiding places.

  2. Spot treat the hiding places and pathways you just discovered; some of these may be under and behind loose baseboards.

Treating cracks / crevices and void spaces behind walls (where roaches spend the majority of their time) is more effective that spraying open spaces.


Non-Chemical Methods:

Keep them out!

  • Weatherproof windows and doors.

  • Screen vents in attics and crawlspaces.

  • Trim vegetation that is close to home.

  • Caulk around cracks in water pipes.

Make them thirsty!

  • Fix leaking pipes.

  • Store rinsed recyclables, like cans and bottles, outside of home.

  • Insulate pipes to prevent condensation.

  • Drain sinks, since standing water will attract thirsty roaches.

Starve them!

  • Clean up excess and spilled pet food daily.

  • Remove crumbs from behind stove and between cabinets with a vacuum hose.

  • Wash dishes immediately.

  • Keep leftovers in tightly sealed containers.

  • Take trash out nightly in tightly sealed receptacles.

Give them no place to hide!

  • Remove clutter—boxes, bags, paper goods, old clothes, and magazines.


Organic Insecticides

You can use an organic bug spray, such as EcoSMART’s Ant and Roach Killer, directly on your target.

Watch how effective this organic insecticide is at killing a roach in the following clip:

For use indoors and out, EcoSMART’s Ant and Roach Killer is safe for use around children and pets, since it contains organic plant oils, such as peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and wintergreen oil. The oils work together to block neuro-receptors that are not in mammals, birds, or fish, which leads to immobilization followed by the roach’s death.






organic pest control


  1. 37 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By stacy moore on Dec 16, 2008

    i hate these pesty little critters. i had a neighbor who had them really bad and since she was coming over to my house, guess what? now i ahve them. i have been paying an exterminator for 5 months now and he still has not goten rid of them. i feel like i’m wasting my money. i hope this new product works really good.

  3. By debbie johnson on Dec 17, 2008

    I have tried everything on the market to get rid of this bugs. When i married my husband eight years ago, he didn’t tell me he had these bugs. He really didn’t know because there was so much trash in the house they had thousands of hidding places. When i got the house clean, there were millions of them and only one of me. If it was put on the market, i have tried it. Sprays, foggers, you name it. Now I have copd and can’t use them. I hope this doesn’t mess with my copd and helps get rid of them.

  4. By g on Jan 13, 2009

    We would be willing to try anything to get rid of these bugs. Our married children have them and naturally keep bringing them to us. We need something to help them get rid of them so they will quit bringing them to us.

  5. By Laura on Jan 14, 2009

    I let a friend of mine move in when she had no place to go. Well, ever since then I’ve had all sorts of roaches, I guess they were in her stuff. I figured if I sprayed the house then bombed it, they would all be dead. HAH They’re still running around and the population stays the same even when I spray every day. I really hope this new product works.

  6. By EcoSMART Kara on Jan 30, 2009

    g, perhaps you should just stop inviting your married children over? Just kidding! EcoSMART makes a great gift!

  7. By EcoSMART Kara on Jan 30, 2009

    Laura, bombing usually doesn’t work, and the roaches may have adapted to the spray you’re using. Good luck with EcoSMART!

  8. By Robert Fischer on Jun 27, 2009

    Great ! But does it work on palmetto bugs I cant keep them away

  9. By fred on Jul 9, 2009

    Uf you have one palmetto bug, what are the odds of having more. We never had bugs before and just recently brought a new plant into the house. SHOULD we ignore it or treat the house immediately?

  10. By Wendy Tumeo on Jul 9, 2009

    I moved to florida last month and quickly came to realize i would have to contend with huge palmetto bugs. i breed shih tzu’s and am very worried about using the chemicals to kill the bugs. the chemical’s can’t be good for the dogs or the puppies which will lick or eat anything they find on the floor. i’m so excited about this product being organic!! i feed my dogs organic food why wouldnt i use organic pest control too!!

  11. By Linda Spears on Jul 10, 2009

    I was excited to hear about this product. I have yorkies and anything that has pesticides in it,I am very scared to use.

  12. By Amy Gross on Jul 11, 2009

    Okay, I just recently moved into a home that was vacant for 6 months. Palmetto bugs, spiders and any other creepy crawlers you can think of also live with me and my family. Not to mention the big Oak tree in the back yard thats hording these bugs. Apparently it is one of their favorite trees here in Savannah GA. Since we have moved in sighting has been minimal but with my 15 month old twins running around I didn’t want to fumigate the house or lay out any feed poison. I come across this website by accident and from what it looks like this product is definitely the way to go. I am excited that I actually have options and look forward to purchasing this product to use.

  13. By Lisa on Jul 15, 2009

    I live in FL and have Palmetto bugs on my lanai…and have recently seen what I believe to be babies in my house. I have 3 dogs and need to find something safe to use around them…I’m FREAKING OUT!

  14. By Terry H on Jul 17, 2009

    This horribly hot summer is actually making the palmetto bugs come inside more. Looking for anything that can kill them when they come inside and possibly to treat them in our yeard outside.

  15. By Meredith on Jul 17, 2009

    Like Lisa, I live in Florida, so these pesky creatures are everywhere. We recently moved into a new home, and CANNOT get rid of these bugs. We have tried everything. Yesterday, I found one crawling in a cabinet where we keep FOOD. I had no idea they carried so much bacteria until reading this article, and now I’m freaking out even more. I have a seven month old son, so any product I use HAS to be safe for him to be around, which is the scariest part for me. I look forward to using this product…I just hope it works!!

  16. By Karen Pickard on Jul 31, 2009

    I would be grateful to test this product and see if it works. I recently moved to Florida and am not used to these little critters and they are really ugly. I only see one once in a while if I get up early like 4am and turn on the light-they are usually in kitchen or bathroom-they totally gross me out. I feel sick every time I see one. I clean and clean but that doesn’t seem to take care of this problem.

  17. By Kory on Aug 3, 2009

    So happy to find this product! I am terrified of these and if my husband is not home to get it, I pack up the kids and leave or call someone to come over and save me. They are so HUGE! I can get a small one, no problem. I can spray them if I see them in the garage but with the little guys and the cats, I am always afraid it will poison them. And the thought of cleaning up the dead thing is just as bad. My husband knows if he sees a paper towel with a shoe on it, he has a present to clean up. I FREAK out. Now, my son screams like a girl when he sees one. I will definetly need to have this on hand.

  18. By jmarsh on Aug 13, 2009

    For the Kory, you have to master your fear of these palmetto bugs for your son’s sake. Just muster up your courage and vacuum up the dead bug – or use a big wad of Kleened to pick it up then throw it away.

    I hate the bugs too but after one flew right onto my chest, I realized that I could both kill and get rid of the dead bug. You can do it too.

    Hopefully the Ecosmart will be the product we’ve been waiting for.

  19. By heather on Aug 18, 2009

    we live in New Orleans and like many other folks its seems that there are many more palmetto bugs in the house this year , i cant waot to try this product as we try to lead a green lifestyle in our home , workplace and bussiness , and dont want to use a harsh chemical due to our family,pets and enviroment to im ready to try Ecosmart bug spray!

  20. By Jamie Peters on Aug 27, 2009

    I don’t have an infestation yet, but I’m going to try to get rid of them before I end up with more. I have a lot outside my house in the ivy around my patio. They started moving inside last winter and I’ve seen babies. I hate these huge monsters and now I hear they bite too! Help!!!!!

  21. By alexandra on Aug 28, 2009

    I live in SW Florida. We purchased a home that we have been renovating the last three months. Since then, I have seen a few palmetto bugs outside and one in the house. However, we have had heavy rain the last two days, and I have seen two big guys in the house in the last two days. Should I worry about this? Are there lots more in the house, or just a few stragglers that came in because of the rain? I have a 4 year old and already use an organic, safe pest control company. I need something safe to use inside the house to get rid of these guys if I see them again.

  22. By Bonnie on Sep 19, 2009

    Okay, I have seen these pesky bugs on my porch through out the summer. Just went down stairs and found two in my sink. I have young kids and I am afraid to spray pesticides. I would love to try something organic. HELP!! These things are scary late at night. Especially, if they bite!

  23. By BCSardone on Sep 22, 2009

    I moved to Florida last year and have never had to deal with bugs this big! I live in an apartment complex that has an exterminator come by and spray once every couple of months. However, I still seem to get visits from Palmetto bugs and my cats seem to be the ones who catch and kill the bugs. It makes me nervous because the bugs carry nasty things and I don’t want my cats to get sick. I feel like I have a catch 22. If the exterminator doesn’t come and spray I might end up with more bugs, but if he does come and spray I have to lock my cats up for at least an hour and I don’t know what he is spraying or what chemicals are now roaming my house! Help!

  24. By Blaise on Oct 18, 2009

    I don’t know what the cost of EcoSMART is, but what I use (and it’s also what I shower with) is a tall spray bottle with with about a third of a cup of liquid Dr. Bronner’s peppermint castile soap and the rest of the way with water. saturate d’ bug and it’s dead within moments, usually no twitching after about 30 seconds or so. And its an easy cleanup since it’s, well, soap. And did I mention I shower with it! Try that with EcoSMART. For bug detail I set the bottle to stream, aim, shoot and dead bug. This message might not be saved on this sight since it would not be good for their business. A, 10 to 12 dollar, 32oz bottle lasts me a year of so mostly for showering and for the occational execution. And it smells nice and minty fresh covering the stink that the bug emits. How cool is that? I think I’m going to go take a shower now all this bug talk is giving me the heebie-geebies! With my bottle in mist mode it’s great for killing mosquitoe swarms outside as well as other insect visitors in and around the home. Try it. Safe enough to wash your pets and babies with, just keep away from eyes and mouth cause, well you know, it is soap!

  25. By Blaise on Oct 18, 2009

    Another thing you can do to send a message to these visitors to ward them away is to occationally pour some of the concentrated soap down all your sink and tub/shower drains, and just let it set (don’t rinse it down) especially when you go away for vacations. You can also use any variety of pine oil cleaners too (generics work as well as major brands). Not only will it keep the palmetto bugs from wanting to come up through the water traps in your plumbing but will also disuade flys, knats and fruit flys from wanting to set up breeding grounds in your drains. Nothing like coming home to unwanted houseguests.

  26. By Blaise on Oct 18, 2009

    The likelyhood of being bitten are slim to none, unless there are absolutely no other food sources, no way for the bug to return to it’s home source AND you are completely infirmed or comotose. When was the last time a roach came running at you? You are not exactly on their menu. Living tissues are not exactly a five star meal to them, much harder to digest and takes way too much energy. Remember in their natural environments these amazing creatures eat decomposing matter including fecal matter. Without them the world would be more than knee deep in, well you know… Why do you think they live in sewers and dark warm places like under fallen foliage of tropical jungle regions. Humans created sewers, which is the urban version of their own motherlands. Like supper highways with wall to wall fast food chans the whole way. Your plumbing is just an offramp. And you are just a terrifing sight seeing exhibit. Enough with the commercial scares to sell product. If the product works it shoud sell itself without terrorism. Let’s not get carried away with silliness. Still I have no problem killing those who make housecalls.

  27. By Sonia Granado on Oct 25, 2009

    I live in the southern, coastal area of North Carolina. The ocean is about a mile up the road so it is humid and damp here year round. The palmettos are usually outside, but they tend to visit us inside after it rains. Which is VERY often. I usually kill them as they come since I have one son with asthma and another with kidney disease and I can’t spray toxic pesticides in my home. I have spent many sleepless nights watching the corners until I catch the one(s)I saw. I really hope your product can kill these nasty pests without harming my boys.

  28. By Bridget LeRoy on Nov 7, 2009

    I just blogged about those nasty Palmetto bugs….I grew up in New York City, and was unlucky enough, one year, to rent a basement apartment next to the boiler room. We most definitely had giant American Cockroaches, along with the attendant German Cockroaches, which looked like midgets next to the terrifying mutants. It took years of therapy, and a move to the colder climes of New England to help me get over my phobia of these useless and horribly obnoxious critters.
    Now….we are considering a move to somewhere between St Simons Island, GA, and St. Augustine, FL. I have a ton of things in the “Pro” column, and only one thing in the “Con” column. Can you guess what it is?

    They may be harmless, but how harmless can they be if you drop dead from fright when you see one? :-) Please, consider me a multiple personality and send me at least of a case of Ecosmart. I will test, and test, and test until my finger falls off.

  29. By Bridget LeRoy on Nov 7, 2009

    Oh….and I have kids, dogs, and a parakeet. Of course, nothing is really as important as being in a Palmetto bug-free home, right? I can always rent some kids or something. ;-)

    But the fact that I can use it around my bird is really amazing. We’ll see how Miss Birdie holds up after I’ve sprayed a can or two of this stuff around the house. :-)

  30. By Eliza on Nov 9, 2009

    I just moved into a newly refinished farm house. It was infested with roaches before I moved in. All cabinets and flooring was removed, the house was bombed and treated professionally 4 times. New stuff was put in. I have been in a week and have found a few roaches and mice. I would love to try this product. I am guessing that they are in the walls still.

  31. By Rita Mosher on Nov 16, 2009

    I just bought some of your spray EcoSmart Ant and Roach killer to try. We are in Fl. from Nov. to Apr. and sometimes see a few of those ugly palmetto bugs when we first get here. We have a cat so I am concerned about using other sprays inside.

  32. By Jeri on Nov 18, 2009

    After returning from a two week trip I have found these ugly creatures to have moved in. I’ve tried the “buglady” but once didn’t do it so am looking for other ways to get rid of these unwanted guests. Otherwise I love Fl.

  33. By Carlos Figueras on Nov 28, 2009

    I spotted two of these formidable palmetto bugs one evening while doing some remodel-ling at an apartment condo that was vacant
    for some time. I was able to kill both of these fast moving creatures, but I am sure there are more around. The remodelling is almost finished and the owner is moving in soon, so I would love to try your EcoSmart produt at this construction site in Deer-
    field Beach, Florida. Thanks, Carlos

  34. By Richard Reed on Jan 15, 2010

    I live in Hawaii and here, there is no where a person can go where these bugs don’t reside.

    I just killed a bunch in my kitchen with Raid, but, I am thinking of switching to something a little more Eco friendly. Thanks for the info on this site.

    Aloha,
    Richard

  35. By Sally Miller on Jan 28, 2010

    We are buying a house in Georgia and I have seen several dead palmetto bugs in the attic. Don’t want to spray because of my 2 dogs but I am seriously considering canceling the purchase, since it sounds as though there is no way to keep these horrible creatures out of the house.

  36. By Doris Lehr on May 25, 2010

    My husband and I plan to retire to Ocala, Fl within a few years. The palmetto bug stories are grossing me out. I’m happy to read all these comments to learn what works.

  37. By karen gonzalez on Jun 4, 2010

    I have experienced several middle of the night episode with palmetto bugs and rude awakenings. I live in South Florida and it is definately one of the challenges of living in the tropics. I think I finally figured out that they have been crawling in on the palm that is located next to my bedroom window. Needless to say I want to resolve the late night creepy crawlers. when I find one moving about in the house which is rare I just take care of it and it is OK. But I have now killed five or more after coming out of a deep sleep. I am very clean. Moping the floors every night, sealing water openings, cleaning dishes and putting away food. yet they haunt me. Now I feel I must find peace. Maybe this product will help

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