Palmetto roaches are very common in South Florida and also in many other states. However, for the rest of the country, this roach is known as the American cockroach.
What Do Palmetto Roaches Look Like?
Palmetto roaches are very big; in fact, they are the largest household-infesting cockroach. Adults are about two inches long, and they are reddish brown in color. One key characteristic is a yellowish border around the pronotum which is the exoskeleton section above the thorax.
The nymphs are grayish brown and resemble the adults, except they have no wings. After a few molts, they start turning red.
What Is The Life Cycle Of Palmetto Roaches?
Under favorable conditions, palmetto roaches live an average of 450 days. Before becoming adults, they molt 13 times.
Adult females deposit egg capsules once a week. Each capsule contains 14-16 eggs. The time from egg to nymph is about 50 days, and the nymphal stage is about 5-6 months.
Where Do Palmetto Roaches Live?
Palmetto roaches need moisture for survival, so this species will thrive in most places that have excess moisture. The outdoors is their natural habitat, so they are very happy living in hollow trees, under mulch, irrigation boxes, palm trees, etc. Any place in the yard that provides shade, humidity, shelter, and food is ideal for palmetto roaches.
We also know that the sewer, septic tank, and storm drain systems are one of their favorite harborage places. There is plenty of food and moisture in these underground systems. Usually, thousands of individuals live here. Luckily the design of the plumbing system in our homes prevents these roaches from invading the house.
How Did I Get Palmetto Roaches In My Home?
This is one of the most common questions we get from customers. There are multiple reasons why palmetto roaches find their way inside our homes.
Just like crickets, earwigs, and millipedes, these bugs are also occasional invaders. Most of the time, palmetto roaches move indoors, looking for shelter from a heavy rainstorm to avoid being drowned. Also, during days of extreme heat, they may show up inside because they want to cool off. This is something that can happen from time to time, especially in South Florida, even if you already have service with a pest control company. Most of the time, these bugs die from dehydration, and you may find them on their back in the middle of the floor.
Now, if you find large cockroaches every day or every few days, it is time to call an exterminator. This is a sign that they probably found a way to breed within the walls of your home. The kitchen and the bathrooms are common areas that need to be inspected since they can gain access to moisture. The attic also needs to be inspected because there could be a moisture problem due to a roof leak or a condensation issue from an AC system. A leaky pipe will also create excess moisture and a potential breeding ground for palmetto roaches. For homes that have a crawlspace, this space should be thoroughly inspected as well.
On rare occasions, palmetto roaches can gain access to the home through the plumbing system. Here are a few ways these cockroaches can come from the sewer:
- A broken pipe under the foundation
- A broken ventilation stack
- A broken wax ring under the toilet
- A contractor that did a remodel and forgot to cap a pipe
Here is another possibility that most people are not aware of. When a toilet, drain, or sink is not being used, the water will dry out, and cockroaches will infiltrate the home. If you are not using a particular drain, plug it with a rubber plug. If you are a snowbird, make sure to plug all the drains and sinks before you leave. And don’t forget to cover the toilets with plastic wrap.
The purpose of the water trap is to block sewer odors but also to prevent palmetto roaches from getting inside the home. If you are finding these cockroaches all the time and you can also detect sewer odors, it is a strong sign that something is wrong with the plumbing system.
I Hired A Pest Control Company, But I Still Find Palmetto Roaches Inside. Why Is That?
There are only two reasons why a palmetto roach infestation is not resolved.
The first and most common reason is because the exterminator you hire doesn’t know how to properly treat this insect. The key to eliminating palmetto roaches is to apply the right products in areas that we know are likely to breed. The only way to successfully get rid of this roach is with the help of a pest management professional that has the proper training, carries the right tools, and is equipped with the right products. If you hired a pest control company to eliminate palmetto roaches and they just spray the baseboards, you are wasting your money.
If we rule out a moisture problem and we assume that the pest control company your hire did a thorough treatment, but you still find roaches, it is probably a plumbing issue. When there is a breach in the plumbing system, these cockroaches will find a way inside the home. In this case, you will have to call a plumbing company.
How Dangerous Are Palmetto Roaches?
The occasional palmetto cockroach that comes from the outdoors is not dangerous. These roaches live in the landscape, so they usually don’t carry any harmful pathogens. However, if there is a breach in the plumbing system, palmetto roaches will infiltrate the house from the sewer. Obviously, when this happens, it can be concerning because they could be carrying disease-causing microorganisms such as E. Coli and Salmonella. As they wander around, they contaminate food and food preparation surfaces.
Anytime palmetto roaches are allowed to become established within the walls of your home, it is dangerous. In addition to shedding harmful bacteria off their bodies, palmetto roaches can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. For a few individuals that are allergic to cockroaches and also suffer from asthma, being exposed to these allergens can be very dangerous because it can trigger flare-ups.
How To Get Rid Of Palmetto Roaches?
When you hire the right exterminator, it is not that difficult to get rid of palmetto cockroaches. However, some pest control companies fail to get these bugs under control.
In order to eliminate this creepy crawler, it is crucial to apply baits and dusts where we know they are living. Palmetto roaches are attracted to places with moisture or high humidity. Without this, they will dehydrate and die.
The dust and the baits we apply in the wall voids and in the attic will get rid of any active infestation. These products are also long-lasting, so our treatment will also prevent future infestations.
How Do I Prevent Palmetto Roaches?
The best way to avoid palmetto roaches is to hire a local pest control company that has a proven track record of solving and preventing this problem.
Once palmetto cockroaches start having babies inside your house, there is nothing a homeowner can do without the help of a pest management professional.
The best recommendation we can give you is to inspect for moisture problems in your home. The excess moisture creates conducive conditions for these cockroaches to take off. Inspect under the sinks for water drips and also the attic for possible leaks. Palmetto roaches are very resilient, so they can become a problem even when there is no evidence of moisture.
Why Should I Hire GOTBUGSIKILL To Eliminate Palmetto Roaches?
Most people go to Google and read reviews before hiring a service company, so we encourage you to do the same before calling us. A quick search for pest control near me will give you a list of local exterminators. After you read our reviews, you will find out why GOTBUGSIKILL is the best pest control company in South Florida. When it comes to ant control and cockroach control, we are the best!
