When people think of Florida bugs, they tend to think of one thing. And that one thing is the Florida palmetto bug. Some sort of giant super-roach that flies directly into your face and swarms your home by the thousands! Scary, right?! Well, most of the time, the Palmetto bug isn’t the bug you have to worry about. Today we’ll be talking about the real infestors.
Florida Palmetto Bug: Infestors?
Most of the time, a Palmetto bug in your home will be just as shocked as you that it’s wound up there. Palmetto bugs like to hang out in large groups, sometimes in hundreds or thousands, and hide in safe places that are damp and dark. They often seek shelter under palm leaves, in hollow trees, among shrubs, and in woodpiles
They are an outside roach getting inside. The Florida Palmetto Bug(also known as water bugs or tree roaches) have a starchy diet, decaying leaf matter, whereas the German roach that infests kitchen cabinets have more of a fatty diet. The adults do not require lots of moisture to survive, but the nymphs from time of hatching through the various instars do need a moist environment. If you have any inside it will usually be the very large adult or newly hatched ones. The adults’ population can build up around the home exterior then find their ways into the wall. The female can drop an egg capsule off which can contain a dozen or more babies so you may find a number of small dead ones located near each other.
And now that we’ve covered that the Florida Palmetto bug likely isn’t your number one infestor, let’s move on to the ones that ARE.
German Cockroach
If you have a persistent cockroach problem inside your home, it is highly likely that you have a German cockroach infestation. German Cockroaches have much different behavior patterns than other common types of cockroaches such as the Oriental or American Cockroach. Oriental and American cockroaches prefer moist areas and tend to infest outdoor areas more than indoors. If you find an ever-increasing number of smaller brown cockroaches in the kitchen or bathroom areas, you may be looking at a full-blown German cockroach infestation.
German cockroaches are well-known indoor cockroaches with a distribution that is world-wide. Smaller than other types of cockroaches, the pests can hide in small spaces and hitch rides in bags, boxes, and many other infested items that are brought inside the home. In multi-unit apartment buildings, they can easily move between units, using the shared plumbing and pipes as a highway. While you may see some during the day, they are most active at night.
Once you have located the problem, quickly move to identify the Cockroach. Find a dead cockroach. With gloves, pick up the dead cockroach by the legs and turn it so you can easily view the head and back of the cockroach. German roaches have two black stripes that begin from the front of their head and make their way back to the start of their body. This is the tell-tale sign of a German cockroach, and subsequently a German cockroach infestation. (By the way, if you’ve got one, you most likely have hundreds or even thousands in hiding.)
f you notice any kind of cockroach at your Florida property, contact a pest control professional who knows how to get rid of cockroaches. Ehrlich understands the appropriate treatments for German cockroaches and will work with you to eliminate the infestation. Bet you wish it was just a Florida palmetto bug now, huh?
Asian Cockroach
Asian cockroaches are strong fliers. These pests prefer to live outside, but they can enter homes by accident through open doors, windows, and poorly fitted seals. Attracted to light, they may fly towards bright entryways and porch lights.
Outdoors, populations living in leaf litter and mulch may grow into the thousands. As a result, people with an Asian cockroach infestation in the yard are more likely to start noticing the insects in the house. Uncovered trashcans and pet food or dirty dishes may draw them indoors, as well.
Asian cockroaches may carry disease-causing microorganisms on their bodies. When they walk over pantry goods, counters, and cooking utensils, these pathogens could spread.
Asian cockroach waste and body oils may also make the flavor and smell of food unpleasant. In addition, these pests might also trigger allergic reactions in some people.
What Do They Eat?
Like other species, the Asian cockroach is omnivorous and feeds on any available food source. They have been known to carry germs and can spread diseases to humans. Asian cockroaches are prolific breeders and reach peak populations in spring and summer.
Geographic Range
As its name suggests, the Asian cockroach is most commonly found in Southeast Asia. However, the pest has spread significantly and is now known to infiltrate houses worldwide. First documented in the United States in the 1980s, they have since spread through most of the Southeastern United States.
Where Do They Live?
Asian cockroaches are typically located in shaded, moist areas. While they are more likely to infest outdoor areas, they do sometimes enter homes. The pests are most active at dusk and fly long distances toward sources of light. You may see these insects attracted to your television screen or perched near lamps and other sources of illumination.
Conclusion: Florida Palmetto bug
So as you can see, nine out of ten serious infestations of cockroaches aren’t done by the palmetto bug. It’s simply an outdoor bug that sometimes wanders in, usually attracted by light. It may not be sightly, but simply removing the single insect will deal with the issue. The real problem is if you find one of the smaller, infesting species in your home. That’s when you’ll need to contact a pest control specialist, and preferably one that uses natural methods.
We all know that chemical pesticides are dangerous, so give us a call and don’t take that risk with your family’s well being.