Palmetto bugs in your home? Here is how to get rid of them for good

Palmetto bugs are a regular occurrence in many households, especially in warm climates, including those in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. These big winged insects are a member of the cockroach family and can cause quite a fright when seen inside the home. Not only are they unsightly, but they are also vectors of disease by soiling food and transmitting bacteria.

Once palmetto bugs have taken up residence in a house, they can multiply quickly and naturally hide in the inaccessible areas inside a home, quickly blooming into a larger infestation. Warm, moist environments are preferred by many of the species of palmetto bugs, which means that the house is an ideal location for them. Taking action quickly is key. Left unaddressed, the infestation can expand and will be increasingly difficult and expensive to eradicate.

Understanding Palmetto Bugs

Palmetto bug is a common word to refer to some kinds of large cockroaches, particularly in Southern states. The term is used to refer to: 

1. American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana): A larger, red-brown cockroach also referred to commonly as the “palmetto bug.”
2. Smokybrown Cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa): This cockroach is brown with a smoky-black coloration and is commonly found in humid areas.

The Florida Woods Cockroach (Eurycotis floridana) is also labelled as a palmetto bug. Although they are of similar size and habit, this species is usually found in woodland.

Physical Characteristics

Palmetto bugs stand out because they are large and have certain characteristics:

• Size: These cockroaches reach between 1.5 and 2 inches long, so it’s fair to say that they are large roaches when compared to other species of roach.
• Color: Their body is usually tinged reddish to brown, with their head shield reddish to yellowish or pale brown and lustrous, giving them a characteristic appearance.
• Wings: Despite the presence of fully developed wings, palmetto bugs are not strong flyers; they can, however, glide short distances.

Behavior and Habitat

Palmetto bugs have certain behaviors and habitats that they prefer:

• Nocturnal Activity: These roaches are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. These animals forage for food and water at night, remaining out of sight during the day.
• Preferred Environment: They like it dark and wet. Lurk in the common hiding spots like basements, gutters, sewer tunnels, bathrooms, and places that have leaking pipes. These pests thrive in the high humidity of these areas.

Signs of Palmetto Bug Infestation

There are several obvious signs that the home is being invaded by palmetto bugs, indicating their presence and the level of infestation on palmetto bugs.

Sightings

One of the most telling signs of a palmetto bug invasion is locating them, dead or alive. While the bugs are nocturnal, spotting a number of them in the daylight hours indicates a big issue. It’s an activity they normally perform during the day, and it often indicates that their hiding places are too crowded to hold them in.

Droppings

There are small, dark droppings that look like coffee grounds that can be seen in the places where the palmetto bugs are active. Such droppings are most likely to be found near food and water supplies, and can often be found in kitchens and bathrooms as evidence of their presence.

Egg Cases

One indication that people have an infestation underway is the appearance of reddish-brown, purse-shaped egg cases. These egg cases are usually discovered in dark, hard-to-reach places and can hold as many as 40 eggs. If there are several forms of egg clusters, then breeding is happening right inside the house.

Odor

Palmetto bugs are odorous due to a strong, oily or musty scent. The stink comes directly from the bugs themselves and people can even smell it in a cramped space such as a basement or kitchen. If people can smell it, it means the infestation is active.

Natural Palmetto Bug Repellents

If you are looking for green ways to get rid of palmetto bugs, there are many natural methods that work well without the need for harsh chemicals.

1. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a naturally occurring substance that is made from fossilized remains of waterborne microorganisms. It’s safe for humans and pets but fatal to bugs including palmetto bugs. The powder kills by drying the bugs out when they crawl or slide through it, destroying their exoskeleton and absorbing the moisture that’s inside that exoskeleton until they are pretty much mummified corpses. This DE can be sprinkled; it only requires application to areas where palmetto bugs are likely to be found, such as along baseboards, behind appliances and in darkened corners.

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils are great for deterring palmetto bugs. The strong smells of peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus and citronella are not favorable scents to the cockroach. If you don’t have a diffuser, create a simple room spray by adding 10-15 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. That mixture can be shaken up and sprayed around the kitchen, bathroom or any places where bugs are being spotted. 

3. Baking Soda and Sugar Trap

Another homemade palmetto bug trap is to use a combination of sugar and baking soda. The sugar draws the roaches, the baking soda ‘pops’ them when they eat it and the acid in the stomach reacts with it. This solution can be poured into shallow containers or bottle caps and deployed in areas that have been frequented by roaches. It can also be dispersed in dark areas or near potential entry points.

4. Citrus Peels

Citrus peels, including lemon and orange peels, function as an organic deterrent against palmetto bugs. The powerful citrus fragrance keeps roaches out of a home. Fresh citrus peels can be left in the areas where palmetto bugs are found, such as under the sinks or next to the trash. Rub citrus oil on potential hiding areas for the bugs.

How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs with Growcycle

If you have a palmetto bug infestation, chemical treatments may provide a faster, stronger solution. Growcycle provides a selection of items directed at aiding these pests. Below are some of the best remedies to get rid of palmetto bugs:

1. Insecticide Sprays

There are a variety of insecticide sprays that people can use to quickly kill palmetto bugs. It has pyrethroids, one of the most powerful chemical treatments for getting rid of palmetto bugs. Pyrethroids are synthetic replicas of the chemicals made by chrysanthemums known as pyrethrins. These chemicals attack the central nervous systems of the insects, paralyzing and killing them when they come into contact with the chemicals.

Talstar P Insecticide

Talstar P Insecticide is labeled to control a variety of pests, including palmetto bugs. This insecticide contains pyrethroids that attack the nervous system of the insects resulting in paralysis and eventual death. It comes in concentrated form that is meant to be mixed with a sprayer.

Talstar P is long lasting; some products last up to 90 days. When using insecticide sprays, be sure to adhere to all safety instructions, ventilate the space and remove pets and children during application.

Bengal 16oz Crawling Insect Killer

This is a product with permethrin that treats crawling insects like palmetto bugs.

It’s safe to use indoors and outdoors, and does not leave a greasy residue behind, so it’s one of the best options for treating the most common bug hotspots inside the home.

2. Bait and Traps

Sticky traps and gel baits are especially good for palmetto bug control. Gel baits usually have a slow-acting poison that roaches eat and carry back to their nests, where it spreads to other roaches. Sticky traps, on the other hand, also aid in gauging the intensity of the infestation and ensnare roaches.

Harris 16oz 99% Boric Acid Roach Powder w/ Lure

Harris 16oz 99% Boric Acid Roach Powder with Lure is a powerful solution that uses boric acid to kill palmetto bugs.

The lure gets pests to come to the powder for death. It goes on easily in places that people see roaches like behind the refrigerator, under the sink or in a cabinet.

Harris 6oz Famous Roach Tablets

Harris 6oz Famous Roach Tablets are with a sugar base attractant and 40% boric acid formula.

They are odorless and non-staining and can be used anywhere in the home where palmetto bugs are seen. The fact that the poison is slow-acting means that the bugs carry the toxin back to their hiding places and they’ll die there.

3. Professional Treatments

Even though palmetto bugs can be tackled with DIY solutions, in some cases, professional help is needed. While Growcycle’s range of pest control options can assist with smaller or localized problems, serious or persistent infestations may require professional pest control services. The experts can diagnose the extent of the infestation and use more targeted treatments to get the best results. Pest control treatments from professionals may include an insecticide dust that can be applied in areas such as walls and tight spaces, and fumigation in severe cases. 

Prevention Strategies for Palmetto Bugs

If palmetto bugs can be stopped from coming inside a home and multiplying, that is the best possible defense against dealing with them. Here are some palmetto bug control tips to keep it from moving into a home:

Seal Entry Points

Blocking off any possible entryways into the home is an important part of not letting palmetto bugs in. Homeowners can use caulk to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and baseboards. Additionally, put weather stripping around doors and windows to help keep these pests out. Areas around plumbing pipes and electrical wires are frequently overlooked, but are also common entry points for bugs and should be checked.

Maintain Cleanliness

Since palmetto bugs are drawn to both food and water, keeping the spaces clean is important to avoid attracting them. Homeowners need to keep countertops, floors and behind appliances clean to wipe up food crumbs and spills. Emptying the trash each day and storing it in sealed bins will also be beneficial. Pets’ food dishes should be cleaned daily and not left out overnight.

Control Moisture

Humidity is another big draw for palmetto bugs because they love wet places. Homeowners must repair any pipe, faucet or under-the-sink leaks to keep moisture out of the home. Be sure to inspect for water buildup in basements, attics and crawl spaces, and use a dehumidifier in high-humidity locations.

Declutter

Palmetto bugs are attracted to dark, cluttered spaces where they can hide. Removing clutter from the house decreases potential hiding spots for them. Organizing closets, storage spaces, and basements makes spaces neat and accessible. Homeowners also should not pile boxes, newspapers or other items next to walls or in corners that palmetto bugs can crawl under to take refuge.

Outdoor Maintenance

Exterior upkeep is key to keeping palmetto bugs out of the house. Homeowners should also cut back vegetation, such as bushes or trees, near windows, doors or vents. Bugs have been known to use overhanging branches as a bridge. Maintaining outdoor land is a good home pest control direct tactic.

When to Call a Professional

Here are a few signs it may be time to book an appointment with a pest control professional, plus what to expect from their services. 

Signs You Need Help

If a palmetto bug problem continues despite the multiple DIY attempts, it’s probably time to call in professionals. If it gets worse and bugs keep cropping up even after using baits, sprays and traps, the infestation is likely to be more pervasive or severe than expected. Professionals themselves will have the tools, the knowledge and the expertise, especially if you have a bigger infestation problem that can’t be handled on your own in a short period of time, to confront infestations with guaranteed success and ensure the pests are gone for good.

What to Expect

When calling a pest control company, whatever the time of year, the inspection of the house is usually the first step in determining what kind of bug problem people have. Technician to inspect all locations where bugs have been spotted, search for hidden access points and determine the origin of the infestation. Depending on their evaluation, they will plan a personalized tech treatment which may or may not involve using custom equipment or chemicals not accessible to the general public.

Choosing a Pest Control Service

It’s important to always pick a pest control service that is both licensed and experienced and has a good reputation. Search for companies that have a favorable reputation from satisfied customers and this is a very good indicator of their work ethic. Check to see that the company is insured and meets local requirements for pest control companies.

The Bottom Line

Palmetto bugs are an occasional difficulty in many households, particularly those in warmer climates. Controlling palmetto bugs from infesting the home is vital. Homeowners should patch up cracks and openings, keep their home tidy, eliminate moisture and declutter. These measures can work to make the home less attractive to these pests.

For people who want to know how to get rid of palmetto bugs, Growcycle products can help. With the right products and tactics, homeowners can defend their homes from palmetto bugs in the bathroom and make sure they are out for good.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.