Palmetto bugs are a regional term in South Florida which typically refers to the American cockroach. These insects are typically fairly large in size, 1 to 2 inches in length, and are drawn to warm, moist, and dark environments between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (my home is set to 72 degrees usually year-round).

These cockroaches are the second most abundant cockroach species in the United States after German roaches. Like German roaches, these insects can cause severe health threats when present in our homes. Cockroaches have been reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria as well as parasitic worms and other human pathogens.  In addition to being vectors for disease, these cockroaches are known to produce allergens from their feces, urine and saliva which can lead to allergic reactions and ashtma attacks especially in children or immune compromised adults.

A single American cockroach can produce between 150-225 nymphs in their lifetime.

Unlike the German cockroach which needs to be transported into a home through human means, the American cockroach is totally fine living inside our homes or outside in the surrounding exterior landscape. For the most part, American cockroaches prefer to live in sewers, drains, or decaying material in the exterior landscape, but they will move indoors if they experience a food shortage or if there is a significant change in the climate (cold, rain, etc.)

Reasons American cockroaches are in your home:

1. Improper weather stripping or other exclusionary methods. As mentioned before these cockroaches enter homes from the exterior environment. By properly installing preventative measures these insects could be turned away at potential points of entry.
2. Broken or uncapped plumbing pipes. One of the more common reasons large amounts (multiple roaches a week) of American cockroaches are found inside homes are due to broken or uncapped plumbing pipes. These roaches that dwell in the sewers use these pipes to enter homes and infest. In South Florida, a large portion of the homes built prior to 1980 were built with cast iron piping, these pipes corrode overtime and can lead to significant cockroach and rodent problems when that happens.
3. Water damage. American roaches thrive in moist conditions, and water damage is a very hospitable environment for them. We see large roach populations inside attic spaces when roofs are damaged allowing rainwater to enter. Also, we see significant issues when kitchens and bathrooms are improperly remodeled after water leaks.
4. Pet food. American roaches are notorious for finding bagged pet food. We recommend placing all bagged pet food in plastic container to prevent this issue

Please reach out to us if you are experiencing an issue with American roaches and we would be more than happy to set up a free inspection.