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What Exactly Is the Florida Palmetto Bug?   arrow

What Exactly Is the Florida Palmetto Bug?

The Florida palmetto bug. Horrifying, huge, and winged. If you live down here, you’ve probably seen one. But what exactly is it? Is it a roach? Is it a different kind of bug entirely? Well, we’ll go into that here.

“Usually when people are talking about palmetto bugs they’re talking about the smokybrown cockroach” said Eric Benson, Ph.D. professor, and extension entomologist at Clemson University, who also listed American cockroaches as a species that gets tagged with the catch all term.

While both roaches are referred to as the name, Benson claims that smokybrowns are more deserving of the title.

“If I look in the palmetto trees down on the coast I’m usually going to see smokybrowns as opposed to Americans,” said Benson. “If I look in a sewer or storm drain or commercial kitchen I’ll see American cockroaches first.”

Both of these roach species can fly, which muddies the water a bit. They’re both similar in size, as well, but the American cockroach has a very slight size advantage of about half an inch to a full inch. American roaches are reddish brown with a pale margin behind their head, while smokybrowns are darker and more uniform in color.

“Lots of times when I see them, they will be gliding down from a higher location,” said Benson, who noted that their gliding can be confused with flight by some. “They can fly, but they’re not great flyers.”

Florida palmetto bug typically lives in areas that are moist and humid. This is why they’re so prevalent in the state. If you find them it’ll likely be in your bathroom, kitchens, attics, and crawlspaces. They’re also common under sinks, septic tanks, gardens, leaf litter, and trash bins. These also place the Florida palmetto bug prefers to lay its eggs.

They can also get into your home many ways. The best way to keep them out, though, is to keep doorway thresholds in good shape. Also, leave no gaps under your doors. And put screens on all doors, windows, and attic vents. Pretty much sealing up every crack in your home is your best bet. But even then they can find their way in through gaps around pipes and cables.

The Florida palmetto bug can pose health risks as well. They’re hosts to harmful pathogens, including salmonella.

“They can live in unsanitary areas. So if a cockroach comes out of a sewer drain, and then walks up and crawls over your plate or your food, they could spread germs that way,” said Benson.

Beyond that, they leave behind debris such as feces and sheddings. These contain proteins that can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Worst of all? They can bite. Yuck. Imagine a cockroach biting you.

If you believe you have an infestation, make sure to contact a natural pest control site. Preferably one that uses a natural mixture, as roundup and other chemical pesticides have had their safety called into question recently.