What’s worse than a cockroach? Nothing you say? What about a cockroach that flies? Palmetto bugs are the worst. They strike fear in the hearts of even the bravest among us.
Have you seen a palmetto bug in your house? Have you seen a few? Here’s how to get rid of palmetto bugs for good.
What Is A Palmetto Bug?
Depending on where you live you might have heard palmetto bugs being referred to by a few different names. Some places call them water bugs, some big roaches, or they’re also known as the American cockroach.
Palmetto bugs can be as big as one and a half inches in length and are a reddish-brown color. And, well, they can fly. But, not well. So take some solace in that.
They are much more adept at gliding to get out of precarious situations, namely you holding a broom trying to smack it. But, don’t be surprised if they fly directly at your face, it’s a defense mechanism.
What Attracts Palmetto Bugs?
The best way to get rid of palmetto bugs is to now get them in the first place. So, if you avoid giving them an ideal living situation they’ll stay away for the most part.
Here are the things that palmetto bugs love.
Warm and Humid Spaces
You’re likely to see an increase in palmetto bugs in your house around the time summer is turning to fall. They don’t like it when the outside gets cooler and dryer. So, they seek solace in your warm and humid home.
If your house is particularly humid you can use a dehumidifier to eliminate the excess moisture. Make sure to fix any leaks in the roof or pipes right away to avoid giving palmetto bugs a haven in your home.
Clogged drains are a major contributor to the humidity level in your house so make sure to clean them out regularly.
Cluttered and Disorganized Spaces
Palmetto bugs like to hide. They would rather not have a confrontation with you if they can help it. So, random piles in closets or rooms of paper or clothing, etc offer them a perfect hideaway.
Make sure to organize every space and keep from leaving piles around. Palmetto bugs are more likely to stay away from your house if you don’t make it comfortable for them to be there.
Food Waste
When you throw away food waste you want to make sure you’re using a trash can with a tight-fitting lid. Don’t leave open food in the refrigerator.
Make sure everything is sealed in an airtight container. Open garbage and food in the fridge are like neon welcome signs to palmetto bugs.
How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs
Trying to get rid of palmetto bugs once they’ve arrived on your doorstep can take some doing. There are a number of different ways you can try but, 9 times out of 10, you’ll end up needing a professional pest control company to come to take care of the problem for you.
If you’ve only seen one or two, here are some things you can try first before you call.
Place Roach Traps
This is also a good preventative measure. Place roach traps around your home in the areas they’ll be most likely to hide.
Under the refrigerator, under the bathroom sink, in closets and other dark corners. Make sure you get traps that are large enough to accommodate these big bugs.
The more traps you lay the better just be sure to replace them every 1-2 months and dispose of them in sealed garbage cans outside your home.
Make Sure Cracks and Gaps in Your Walls and Doors Are Sealed
Seal up any easy access points for palmetto bugs by doing an inspection of your home for gaps, holes, and cracks.
Don’t forget to look behind furniture against exterior walls. Even though palmetto bugs are big they can fit through the smallest of gaps. Use caulk to seal anything you find and put baby protectors in your electrical outlets to prohibit entry via outlets.
Proactive Pest Control Will Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs in Your Home ASAP
While prevention is good, and DIY methods can help, nothing beats a regular professional pest control maintenance schedule.
By using the experts at Proactive Pest you are setting up a border of protection around your home for any type of creepy crawly.