Do You Have A Palmetto Bug Problem?

July 28th, 2010 Posted in Ants & Roaches

The palmetto bug, or the American cockroach, is not only a bothersome household pest, but may potentially spread disease and infection into your home.


palmetto bug

So what are the signs that the pesky palmetto bug has infiltrated your house? And, more importantly, what can you do to prevent and treat this infestation?

Let’s find out.



Signs of a Palmetto Bug Infestation

Palmetto bugs are quite large, usually measuring around 2 inches when they reach adulthood. So while having an infestation of these over-sized cockroaches may be somewhat obvious, there are a handful of other tell-tale signs.

Use Your Nose


palmetto bug

When the palmetto bug decides to settle into a home, house manners are not on the top of their list.

These insects crawl around cupboards, cracks in walls, counters, open food containers and more, excreting waste as they go.

But perhaps even worse than the waste is the fact that palmetto bugs often enter through sewer systems, tracking dangerous bacteria into your home. So, not only do these insects stink up your home, they may potentially cause disease as well.

Search for Skins

As palmetto bugs grow and mature, they shed their skins. Over time, these skins pile up, making for an unsightly display of roach infestation.

While these skins may be unsightly, they are also the cause of allergic reactions in many. Itchy skin and a rash may be a sign of a palmetto bug problem.


palmetto bug

Along with allergic reactions, these discarded skins have also been linked to causing childhood asthma.



Palmetto Bug Prevention

Taking just a couple preventative steps can help to keep these harmful, bothersome insects out of your home:

  • Seal entry points like cracks in walls, spaces under doors and keep windows closed. The less openings there are, the less likely the palmetto bug will find its way into your house.

  • Keep up with lawn maintenance by trimming plants and moving the grass accordingly. Eliminating natural cockroach habitats helps to force cockroaches away.

  • Clean up your house by picking up trash, food particles and piles of magazines and books. This will give palmetto bugs less places to hide, and less food to munch on.



Natural Palmetto Bug Extermination

Chemical-laden cockroach extermination remedies have been around for years, but these are often dangerous for you, your pets and your family.

The solution?

EcoSMART’s organic pesticide products.


palmetto bug

Combine these powerful, natural sprays with the above prevention techniques, and you will be able to effectively combat palmetto bugs. So if you do indeed have a palmetto bug infestation, be sure to exterminate them safely and naturally. You’ll avoid diseases, asthma and more without causing harm to your family.

You’ll be glad you chose EcoSMART.

  1. 13 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By David on Aug 28, 2010

    I love these products. I have two small children and I used these products with pure confidence.

  3. By Beryl Miller on Sep 9, 2010

    We have been using boric acid and a broom(to beat them with) to fight the palmettos, with mixed success. We are all bug phobic in our house and we especially hate these big, ugly roaches. We will try the prevention techniques.

  4. By Ashley on Oct 19, 2010

    I moved into a home with my inlaws. We live in Florida out in the country. My mother-in-law is disabled and has had a very recent tragic loss. Needless to say she has let the bugs take over. We love this product. My mother-in-law has animals so this has really been a nice non-toxic and safe solution. My finance has COPD and I am very sensitive to perfumes and strong smells, and this product has been wonderful! We are still fighting these bugs but this is an awesome instant kill! Thank you EcoSmart!

  5. By Lori on Apr 12, 2011

    I recently moved into my new home in south Florida. I keep a tidy home but despite my cleanliness I have unwanted critters, both ants and waterbugs (yes, I am from New York). It is quite disturbing to see one or two waterbugs scatter when the light goes on….ugh! The ants, ahh the ants, they have made themselves quite at home in MY new home. They just seem to be everywhere! I’ve used bleach (outside) for the ants, boric acid and generic bug spray as protection. I am concerned about the chemical fallout, I have two small dogs. I am motivated by what I have read and will take measures to protect my home, hopefully EcoSmart will be my new hero.

  6. By susan degonzague on May 26, 2011

    Interested in trying this product

  7. By Bibi on Jun 3, 2011

    Hi my name is Bibi, I am a single mom. My boys are 6, and 8, years old, Max and Henry. We have 3 cats.

    I was laid off from my job as a second grade teacher, and am trying to make ends meet.

    Our complex was disgraced with an American (Palmetto) bug infestation and were told by the Association Board that the inside of our units are the tenants responsibility.

    I tried the Baking Powder and Baking Soda with sugar bait but had no luck.

    Someone recommended your product, but we can not afford it.

    Please, if you could send us a sample we would totally appreciate it.

    Have a blessed day and thank you for your time,
    Max, Henry, the cats and me, Bibi.

  8. By Jerry Bodzin on Jun 10, 2011

    Although I have only seen (and killed) three of these palmetto bugs, I would like that to be the last of them. How do I know there are not eggs somewhere waiting to produce more of them. How can I get to the source to prevent them rather than waiting until I see them to get them?

  9. By Kristi Wilkerson on Jul 10, 2011

    This sounds like just what I need!

  10. By Jackie Maples on Jul 17, 2011

    I moved to Charleston, SC from Maine 2 weeks ago and have been in my apartment for less then a week. Lets just say the bug situation down here is the complete opposite. I opened my kitchen cabinet and a palmetto bug (i would rather call is a roach) was just hanging out on my hot pepper spices. It was pretty comical to watch me try to vacuum this thing up becuase I was still unpacking and had nothing to kill it with and I don’t like to crunch them *YUCK*. After vacuuming it up I was trying to identify this prehistoric looking bug from inside the canister. Unfortunately it was late and I decided to go to bed.. the next morning my little friend was NOT in the vacuum. I am hoping he told all of his friends to stay away, now I have a red roach problem and I have seen to find some daily. This morning it was a little one…. I am hoping that the huge one I killed yesterday didnt have babies in my apartment.

    I was in desperation to kill these things so I bought this Hot Spot powder.. against my will because it was the only thing that the store had (it says keep away from children and animals) I eventually want to get a cat to help kill these vermits and am afraid now that I have ruined my chances with the stuff I put down earlier this week. I also have been waking up with horrible headaches since I put the stuff down and it is making me nervous to think about what I am breathing in.

    I can not wait to buy something that is safe for everyone- Thank you for making this product. I am excited to see how it works!

  11. By Brandy Beevers on Aug 22, 2011

    I live in Memphis, TN and I am TERRIFIED of anything that looks like it could be a roach!! Just thinking of them makes my legs and arms itch! We moved into our apartment in November of last year and we immediately saw that there was a roach problem. It was the fairly small ones, but disgusting none-the-less. Well, we contacted the office and every Monday this guy comes and sprays the baseboards and leaves. Well, this seemed to cut the population by at least half since we no longer saw ANY roaches for months! We were TOO happy! Until a few months ago, all of a sudden every few days we were seeing a HUGE 1-2 inch roach! Needless to say I fall to pieces and want it dead. Only problem is my husband is allergic to the oils on the big ones’ skin. He breaks out in rashes and hives. So we had to get a friend to come and help us “get it”. It’s been horrible. The bug guy says that the big ones are merely “water bugs” and if they get in and can’t get water they die and are harmless blah blah blah, I don’t care, I want them gone! Now the little ones are starting to come back, even with the weekly spray! I’m scared of getting and bug sprays myself because I have 2 kittens (2 1/2 months old) and I don’t want to harm them. I’m exhausted trying to figure this out. Any help?????

  12. By Roberta on Sep 1, 2011

    I recently moved into a rental in FL. Its an older house & has a bad infestation. There is asthma in the house so I need something safe for us…& I broke my broom killing them lol! So I would LOVE to try this product to rid myself of the problem & save my brooms!

  13. By Jeanette Clifton on Sep 6, 2011

    I can only hope that this product will do the trick. The other night I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. When I turned on the light there was a huge palmetto bug on the toilet seat. What a fright in the middle of the night. I hope this does the trick.

  14. By Johanna Griffin on Sep 13, 2011

    GROSS! this article gave me the chilly willies! thank goodness i dont think we have these.

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