Here is how to get rid of palmetto bugs for good, using a step by step extermination approach that works.

Palmetto bugs, also known as American roaches are the largest species of domestic roaches. These bugs prefer damp and humid climates.

As such, you’d find plenty of them in Florida. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be found someplace else. Join us as we discuss ways to get rid of them.

We have provided a wide range of effective insect control strategies which, when applied should help you overcome this challenge.

There’s nothing as disgusting as finding these strolling around your home. What makes this even more sickening is the fact that there might be more. The sight of one should result in a race against time because they reproduce fast.

Taking urgent action will help you avoid a more difficult palmetto bug infestation.

PALMETTO EXTERMINATION

People are a bit confused when it comes to palmetto bugs. Some people wonder why a roach won’t be used instead of complicating things. Well, a palmetto bug is a different species of roach. It is usually larger with a reddish-brown color.

These bugs have wings and it works! The saving grace is that they suck at flying.

The name palmetto bugs don’t have common usage. As such, it is called by different names across different states.

But one of such names stands out. And that is the American roach.

How Does A Palmetto Bug Get Into Houses?

This is an often asked question. However, the answer is always the same! Palmetto bugs, like other insect pests, gain entry into your home through openings.

These may include pipes, gaps beneath doors and windows, wall cracks, through the attic as well as right through an open and inviting front or back door.

Whatever the case may be, palmetto bugs don’t hesitate to enter your home. Especially when there are entry points.

Can palmetto bugs infest your house? Yes, if it presents the right conditions.

What Attracts Palmetto Bugs?

Having mentioned the ways they get in, it’s only necessary that we discuss what they seek.

Homes provide 3 main benefits to these bugs. Such benefits include a nesting area, a food source as well as water or moisture. These are given in most homes. So, don’t be surprised when you stumble upon a few of these. Your major aim should be how to take back control.

But taking back control of your home isn’t enough. You need to keep them away by making your surroundings less inviting. This is what we seek to achieve as we discuss many such ways to do so.

How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs in Your House

The procedures for getting rid of this problem are numerous. We will discuss a few of them. The methods included here have been tested severally with great results. Your situation won’t be any different.

Read on and choose your preferred strategy.

  • Call a Palmetto Bug Exterminator

Exterminators offer a range of professional pest control services. Such services include those for palmetto bug extermination.

This option is best for persons with little time on their hands to spare. You should note that getting rid of pests can be a time-consuming process. Hence the need to find an expert to get the job done.

A thorough inspection is the first step. The source of the problem, as well as attractions, are traced. This is done to nipping the problem in the bud.

Services offered by an exterminator are backed by a guarantee. This means that you get a follow-up treatment at no additional cost for unsatisfactory services.

Plus, you don’t need to go through all the stress associated with pest control.

  • Thorough Sanitation

Thorough sanitation is required to keep palmetto bugs at bay. However, it needs to be scheduled periodically. Most times, daily cleaning isn’t enough.

This is because there’s a gradual buildup of unwanted trash such as papers, boxes, and dirt in difficult to reach areas. These will need to be disposed of and cleaned once a while.

Your kitchen and dining areas should take a good part of your time. Why? Because this is where palmetto bugs target most. Especially because of the food and water sources available here. Clean these areas thoroughly.

Also, fix water leakages and dispose of your trash regularly. This way, you will make your home less attractive to them.

  • Caulk Crevices and Cracks

We earlier mentioned that palmetto bugs gain entrance through cracks and crevices. To stop them, these entry points will need to be sealed.

Closely monitor such areas around your home. Never be in a hurry. This can be a painstaking process, but it’s worth the effort. Find these openings and seal them up.

This is also necessary because such cracks may be used as nests from where they launch their operations. Especially when damp.

By sealing such openings, you are effectively shutting these bugs out of your home.

Installing mesh screens over drains, vents, and windows for exclusion is another effective way if you are looking at how to keep palmetto bugs off the porch.

  • Properly Dispose of Leftover Food

Palmetto bugs will target any open food, including leftovers. This requires proper disposal. Find trashcans with secure lids.

Also, ensure such wastes aren’t left to stay overnight. Dispose of the contents of your trashcans before going to bed. What more? Seal up food and store properly in a fridge or tightly sealed containers.

The kitchen and dining areas should also be swept and mopped nightly. Doing this regularly disrupts and eliminates all sources of food. Palmetto bugs will have to look elsewhere when there’s no food and water to survive on.

  • Remove Pet Food

Pet food can also be targeted by these bugs. Particles and leftovers remain when pets feed. Like the dining and kitchen area, endeavor to clean up after your pets have fed.

This helps remove any source of food and achieves the same effect by making your home less inviting to them.

  • Watch Out for Leakages or Damp Areas

Like food, water is an attraction for palmetto bugs. To prevent this, you only need to pay closer attention. Your home plumbing may require inspection maintenance from time to time. Ignoring this will result in leakages.

So, find out areas with visible leakages. But if this isn’t possible, be on the lookout for damp walls and floors.

These signs help identify leaking pipes and water fittings. You’d have to find immediate solutions to such problems. This is because such conditions provide ideal nesting spots for palmetto bugs.

Take the time to find and fix such leakages before these bugs find them.

  • Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth acts on a wide range of pests. What makes it even more acceptable is the fact that it has no toxic properties to humans and pets. It works by piercing the undersides of palmetto bugs. This results in death through the loss of body fluids.

Find this and sprinkle around areas you’ve spotted these pests.

Evening times are the best times of the day to apply this. This should be left to the next morning for the best results. It’s necessary to state that this is slow acting. Therefore, results should be seen in a few days after application.

  • Fight Back with Chemicals

Chemicals are highly effective against palmetto bugs. But this has its downside which is its toxicity.

Chemical insecticides come in various forms. These include aerosols, granules, contact spray, and point-source tablets.

Such products include Suspend SC, Demand CS, Delta Dust and Delta Guard G.

Others are Niban FG, Demon WP, and Gentrol IGR. So many other chemicals are available at local home improvement stores.

These come with specific instructions for use. Ensure you strictly adhere to these instructions as they are for your safety. You also derive maximum results from such products.

  • Repellent Plants

If you prefer the natural way, then this may be just what you need. Palmetto bugs are repelled by certain types of plants. You only need to have these around your home. These bugs are largely outdoor pests.

However, they won’t hesitate to find their way in when there’s an opportunity. So, while fighting them from within, get these plant repellents to help you do the job from without.

Palmetto repellent plants include Chrysanthemums and Catnip. While these are effective against bugs, the same may be dangerous to your pets. Chrysanthemum, in particular, shouldn’t be planted around if you keep pets. This is because it is toxic to both cats and dogs.

Catnip plants, on the other hand, won’t pose a danger to pets. Hence it’s safe to use around them. Nepetalactone, a compound in this plant helps keep palmetto bugs at bay.

  • Baits and Traps

Baits and traps are additional ways to get rid of palmetto bugs. A variety of traps and baits exist. Some baits are laced with poison. Such poison may be fast or slow acting. You get to choose any of the above.

Fast-acting baits don’t take long before they kill. The reverse is the case with slow-acting baits.

The advantage of using slow-acting baits is that bugs have sufficient time to return to their nests. It kills them slowly. When their body is fed on by other bugs (they do feed on their dead members), other palmetto bugs get poisoned in the process.

This is an effective way to control the palmetto bug problem.

You must exercise the utmost care when using such products. This is necessary to help avoid ingestion by pets and kids. We hope this has been helpful. Deploy any of the above strategies in your quest to rid your home of palmetto bugs. With patience and determination, you should be able to cover the problem.

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