Are Palmetto Bugs Roaches? | Getting Rid of Palmetto Bugs & Roaches
September 28th, 2015
Palmetto bugs are a common nuisance in most homes in Southwest Florida. They are big, they are creepy, and they pose a serious health risk to you and your family while inside your home. These bugs harbor 6 different kinds of parasitic worms, 7 kinds of human pathogens, and 33 different kinds of bacteria. Also, food contaminated by roaches can lead to various health problems including diarrhea, dysentery, and food poisoning.
That’s why it is so important to take care of any palmetto bug or roach infestation quickly. In this article, we will take a closer look at palmetto bugs and offer some expert tips to help you eliminate these pesky pests from your home.
Are Palmetto Bugs Roaches?
A number of people wonder whether palmetto bugs are roaches. And the answer is yes. Palmetto bugs are a kind of cockroach that are mostly found in America. They are also known as Water Bugs or American Cockroaches. A single palmetto bug can reach 1.5 inches long and are characterized by their reddish brown wings.
Most often, roaches prefer to live outside of homes. However, if one does somehow make its way into your home, it can quickly make a colony that is difficult to get rid of. This usually happens when a female palmetto bug lays egg sacks inside the home, which hatches about 50-55 days after being laid. Female roaches lay about 16 eggs contained in a sack every four to five days until around 50 sacks are laid.
How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs & Roaches
A number of DIY approaches can be used to get rid of palmetto and roaches from the home. One way to kill roaches you see is by spraying the bugs with a natural insecticide made by mixing 3-5 grams of tobacco dust with one tablespoon of black pepper and one tea spoon of liquid dishwashing detergent.
Using boric acid dust is another effective treatment to get rid of palmetto bugs. However, you must be careful when using boric acid dust as can be harmful to children and pets. A trained pest control professional knows the best places to apply insecticides with maximum effect and lowest risk to people and pets.
It’s also very important to note that any DIY roach removal process outlined here WON’T result in 100% eradication of roaches from the home. To ensure proper and complete roach removal, you will want to get a professional, local pest control company involved.
Alford Wildlife & Pest Management, a pest control company in Lee County, specializes in full pest control in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. We offer full and general pest control, including interior and exterior services. We’ll make sure that the roaches in your home are taken care of completely.
Get your free inspection today! Call us at (239) 214-7928 or through our website here.
