How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs Naturally

Palmetto bugs can be unpleasantly common around West Palm Beach for most of the year, and finding them in your home can be bothersome. Palmetto bug is another name for an American cockroach, but no matter what you call them, they never belong inside your house. 

Palmetto bugs are common pests in West Palm Beach homes and one of the most frequent reasons people seek help from West Palm Beach roach exterminators. 

It can be challenging to get rid of palmetto bugs, and the longer an infestation is in your home, the larger it will get.

If you suspect these insects may be infesting your home, don't worry because this article is here to help you learn all about palmetto bugs, and to help you find the best solution for palmetto bug infestations. 

Keep reading to learn about the best ways to prevent and get rid of palmetto bugs in West Palm Beach, FL. 

How to Identify Palmetto Bugs

Palmetto bugs are one of the largest types of roaches that infest homes, ranging from 1 1/4 to 2 1/8 inches long. They have oval reddish-brown bodies, long antennae, spiny legs, and a yellowish figure 8 pattern on the back of their heads.

These roaches are nocturnal and typically try to stay out of sight. This is why it’s a common experience to see a big roach on the wall in the middle of the night (it gives me the chills just thinking about it). 

With larger infestations, you are more likely to see them around the house during the day while they compete for food. 

Cockroaches are resilient pests and can live without food for a month if needed. Their adaptability and resilience help them find creative ways to get inside your house. Because they are one of the most common cockroaches in West Palm Beach, it is possible to unknowingly pick up a hitchhiking palmetto bug while you are out and about. 

American cockroaches also breed rapidly. Females lay egg capsules about once a month, and each capsule contains around 16 eggs that will emerge sometime after 24 days. Female cockroaches will breed for ten months, so that’s about 160 eggs total. 

While they don’t breed as often as German cockroaches, one palmetto bug in your home is still too many. 

Customers constantly tell us how they start finding palmetto bugs in their homes and it might surprise you to learn how similar these tales are to your own. One of the most common stories we hear starts with someone getting up at night to get a glass of water, flicking on the light switch, and seeing a large cockroach in their kitchen. 

Usually, the cockroach in question runs away from the light and hides under an appliance.

Sometimes the story's location changes, maybe to a bathroom, basement, or laundry room. These pests only require warm, humid areas which explains why they are one of the most common cockroaches in West Palm Beach. 

American cockroaches try to avoid people as much as possible, so that glimpse of one running away may be all you will see. Learning some of the signs of cockroaches in your home can help you to catch an infestation before it has a chance to grow. Here are some of the most common signs of cockroaches:

• Cockroach droppings: Palmetto bugs have cylindrical droppings with blunt ends and ridges on the side.
• Eggs: Egg capsules are around 1/3 of an inch long, dark in color, and often found glued to surfaces near a food source or in a humid part of the house.
• Shed skins: As cockroaches grow and mature, they molt and leave shed skins behind.
• A strange odor: Roaches release pheromones, and a musty smell in your house might indicate an infestation.

Whether you have seen a palmetto bug or only find evidence of them around your home, we're sure you want to find out how to get them out. Contact us at Native Pest Management if you want help removing palmetto bugs from your home, want to learn more about our services, or request a free quote!

Do Palmetto Bugs Carry Diseases?

No one wants to live with bugs inside their house, especially ones that can create a health risk. Luckily, palmetto bugs are largely harmless, but can still have some minor impact on your health and standard of living in some ways. 

Like any roach, their main issue is aggravating allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in certain people. 

If you’re worried about palmetto bugs creating adverse health conditions, rest assured that they are unlikely to cause illness. However, they can still be a major nuisance and their presence can certainly make life more uncomfortable. 

Even without the potential for health risks, it’s a good idea to prevent palmetto bugs where possible to get more enjoyment out of your outdoor space. 

There are plenty of ways to prevent palmetto bugs, but if these pests are already in your home, it is time to get them out. If you have been struggling to eliminate palmetto bugs from your home, request a free quote and our technicians will be happy to come out and help with our expert roach pest control services.

How to Repel Palmetto Bugs in Your Home

People often ask us how to repel palmetto bugs in West Palm Beach, and in some ways, it would be like trying to prevent sunshine here. These insects find our warm, humid climate to be the perfect place to thrive, so if you don't have them in your house, they are likely hiding out in your yard somewhere. 

We often find palmetto bugs outside in shady areas, such as near palmetto trees (hence the name), hollow trees, under mulch, and around open garbage. When conditions outside aren't ideal for them, such as during heavy rain, these pests may seek shelter inside your house. Sometimes we find them sneaking into crawl spaces and occasionally under roof shingles or in attics.

Roaches, like most pests, end up inside houses while searching for food, a source of water, or shelter. Don't fret, though, because there are many simple ways to keep cockroaches from getting inside your house. Here are some time-tested tips for house cockroach prevention:

• Seal any cracks and crevices on the exterior of your home: Palmetto bugs can flatten their bodies down to the height of two pennies stacked, so be sure to seal even the smallest openings. 
• Check for gaps around windows and doors: Damaged weatherstripping can allow gaps to occur that roaches can squeeze through. 
• Screens: Install window and door screens anywhere they are missing and ensure the ones you have don't have any holes.
• Installing mesh screens: Covering drains and vents with mesh can prevent roaches from traveling through pipes and entering your home.
• Dishes: Promptly wash the dishes after eating instead of leaving them in the sink or setting them on a counter.
• Vacuum: At least once a week, try to vacuum all the areas people eat to pick up any crumbs that might otherwise provide food for roaches.
• Garbage: Cockroaches love trash, so remove it from your home regularly and keep tight-fitting lids on both indoor and outdoor trash cans.

Cockroaches don't necessarily mean your house is dirty, but keeping it clean can help prevent them. Try to store all of your food in pest-proof containers, and don't leave it sitting out. American cockroaches are particularly fond of pet food, so cleaning up your pet's dishes after they eat, especially if they eat outdoors, is always a good idea.

Sometimes the roaches enter homes simply through the door or, most likely, under it. Installing door sweeps can help to keep these bugs outside. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your garage door fully seals by checking to see if any light comes through the bottom.

Moisture issues around the house can attract American cockroaches looking for a water source. Regularly checking to see if pipes are leaking or faucets are dripping and installing dehumidifiers in areas like the attic or crawl space can help prevent palmetto bugs

Keeping your yard neat can also help to deter roaches from your home. Regular mowing is a good idea, and be sure to trim back branches and bushes from the house that may provide a pathway inside. Also, these pests are drawn to decaying organic matter, so cleaning up any pet feces in the yard gives them one less reason to be near your home.

Palmetto bugs are so common across West Palm Beach that, despite your best efforts, one will likely get into your home at some point. If you only have one roach, they are easy to take care of. If you suspect many cockroaches in your home or aren't sure what kind of infestation you are dealing with, contact us at Native Pest Management for help identifying or eliminating these pests.

The Most Successful Way to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs

We know how stressful it is to have a cockroach infestation in your house. Remember that a palmetto bug infestation is not your fault and doesn’t mean your house is “dirty.” Even in the cleanest houses, palmetto bugs can easily find a way in through tiny entry points. 

Native Pest Management is a reliable pest control company in West Palm Beach focused on restoring peace of mind. Pest issues can be stressful and we’re here to make them as easy as possible so you can sit back and relax without worrying about palmetto bugs in your home. 

We strive to help you keep your home and family safe while being conscious of our environmental impact, using eco-friendly and pet friendly roach control products to protect your family, pets, and our world. We take care to use the safest and most effective products available while ensuring the safety of your family and pets.

When deciding whether to seek help from a pest control company, it can help to know what to expect. Our services typically start with a thorough inspection of your home, including the attic, to find exactly where these pests are hiding and determine the best way to eliminate them.

We then treat your home for pests, making sure to get every nook and cranny they may be hiding inside. We can also treat your garage if the palmetto bugs have been using it as an entrance. Our treatments cover many pests and will help protect your home from future infestations.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about American cockroach control or our pest control services, please get in touch with us at Native Pest Management. Palmetto bugs can take away your peace of mind, and we want to help you restore it. Schedule your free quote today!