How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs

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Palmetto bugs, also known as American cockroaches, are frequent house pests in the southern United States. They grow to about 2 inches in length, can walk across ceilings and fly. Unless you are willing to have your house sprayed with pesticide, you have to keep them out, sweep them out, or starve them out. Read on to learn how to get rid of Palmetto bugs.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Fine mesh screen
Duct tape
Vacuum cleaner with disposable bags
Disinfectant wipes
Broom and dustpan
Mop
Disinfectant floor cleaner
Roach "hotel"-type traps

Step1

Keep Palmetto bugs out by sealing off possible entry points. Use fine mesh screening and duct tape to seal off holes around your home. Nail weatherstripping along the bottom of your doors. Stuff screening into cracks along the foundation or next to windows. If palm trees grow close to your home, seal off cracks in the roof as well. Keep all drains plugged when not in use.

Step2

Keep Palmetto bugs away. Remove all natural Palmetto bug habitats within 10 feet of your home, including tall grass, foliage, piles of straw, wooden crates and patio rugs. If palm fronds overhang your roof, have them trimmed back.

Step3

Sweep Palmetto bugs out. Stepping on a Palmetto bug can make a big mess; it's better to stun them with a broom and sweep them out the door or suck them up with a vacuum cleaners. Be sure to remove and seal the disposable vacuum cleaner bag as soon as possible. Vacuuming up a little boric acid (Roach Pruf powder or 20 Mule Team Borax) will help kill the bug.

Step4

Starve Palmetto bugs out. Keep your food areas scrupulously clean, especially at night. Wash, dry and put away supper dishes, wring out sponges and dry the sink with a towel. Seal toasters and fruit bowls in large, zip-closed bags before you go to bed. Don't leave pet food and water bowls out overnight. Seal off and remove garbage. Clean kitchen surfaces and floor with disinfectant. Palmetto bugs will try to find water in houseplants (especially those planted in pots with a water reservoir underneath) and fish tanks; the more food and water sources you can remove, the faster they will leave.

Step5

Poison the stragglers. Purchase roach hotel-type baited traps, but be sure they have openings large enough for a Palmetto bug to enter. Liquid bait appeals to their need for both food and water. Leave the traps next to the wall near sinks and stoves, especially on kitchen counters. Monitor the traps to see if the liquid poison is being consumed and relocate if necessary. Keep the kitchen food-free so the Palmetto bugs will go for the bait instead.

Tips & Warnings

Boric acid-based products are effective only as long as they are dry, so they're useless in humid climates.
Sticky roach traps are not strong enough, but sticky mouse traps will hold Palmetto bugs.
Consider having a professional exterminator spray the exterior perimeter of your house and the floors of closets, garages and sheds.
If you'd rather live with reptiles than bugs, many lizards such as geckos will catch and eat Palmetto bugs.
Don't panic if a Palmetto bug runs toward you. They don't attack, but will try to flee to the nearest "tree," and might mistake a standing human for a tree.
Always check the inside of shoes and shake out clothing or towels left on the floor in Palmetto country; a trapped Palmetto bug will bite.
Don't place roach traps where children or pets can touch them.
Don't use pesticide in a house with cats; cats sometimes eat poisoned insects.