Understanding Palmetto Roaches And Why You Should Want Them Gone
Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in a home. They forage around looking for food, finding plenty from leftovers, loose trash, and uncleaned homes. With Palmetto Roaches, if you’ve seen one of them in your home, there’s a good chance plenty more are hiding nearby. These pests are well known for carrying diseases that can cause intestinal issues leaving these in contact with them in excruciating pain.
The names “palmetto bugs or palmetto roaches” are used to describe various species of roaches found in the southern U.S. Their name originated from where they are commonly found in palmetto bushes and palm trees. As with other roaches, the palmetto bug is reddish-brown in hue and can be quite large; up to an inch and a half.
Where Do Palmetto Roaches Lay Eggs?
It’s disturbing but true, with just a single time mating, female palmetto bugs can lay fertilized eggs for the rest of their lives. Females can lay one egg sack per week for up to 20 weeks. It takes between 50-55 days for them to hatch.
What Is A Palmetto Roaches Lifespan?
- Most can live for up to a year or slightly more, particularly the females.
- Babies take approximately 50-55 days to hatch.
Are Palmetto Roaches Dangerous?
Sadly, the answer is yes.
They have been known to make people ill, plus they can bite (but bites are rare); they can also cause issues for people with asthma and allergies.
Palmetto roaches like to be in dirty places, such as sewage and garbage. They take all the microbial life they pick up into your home and can make you or your children ill. They are not known to spread Salmonella, cholera, polio, staphylococcus, E. Coli and other diseases.
Do Palmetto Roaches Fly?
Yes, they can fly.
It’s not unusual for these insects to fly a brief distance or glide down if launching off of a tree or building. However, they tend to stay put in weather below 80F, so it’s not common to see them moving much in the winter months.
How Do Palmetto Roaches Get Into Homes?
Because their wings and bodies are flat, they can fit in the smallest of spaces. Cracks in your floor, windows that don’t shut completely, and even flying in with you while the doors are open are just a few ways a palmetto roach can breach your home. If possible, you should make sure your cracks are sealed and any entry points are properly caulked/sealed to reduce possible infestations from occuring.
Where Do You Find Palmetto Roaches?
They can be found in areas that are dark and humid; this is their preferred hiding spots.
Besides Palmettos and Palm Trees, here are a few other places where you can find them hiding:
- Hollow Trees
- Shingles
- Crawlspaces
- Basements
- Sewers
- Drains
- Woodpiles
How Can You Tell If Your Home Is Infested With Palmetto Roaches?
How can you tell if the roach you saw is just a “lone ranger” or a bigger problem hiding behind the scenes?
Palmetto roaches travel in packs of hundreds or thousands, and you may not know there’s a roach infestation until they come out in swarms!
If you encounter one of these pests in the open during daylight, it’s a sure sign that you have an infestation. Normally, they will not venture out near humans during the day (roaches are nocturnal and prefer darkness) unless your home is becoming overrun and they are trying to find food which is in shortage due to their siblings.
Some of the most common ways to spot a palmetto bug infestation are:
- Droppings that resemble look like pepper grinds.
- A dank or oily smell.
- Chew marks on anything paper-like book bindings, envelopes and in particular stamps which have a glue that is irresistible to them.
- If you and your family are becoming ill.
Plus, they are known to cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems if they contaminate your food.
Don’t Live With Palmetto Roaches!
If you have pests of any kind in your home, let Advanced Pest Control of Alabama help you.
Call us today or fill out our quick contact form. We’ll find, remove, and eradicate your Palmetto Roach infestation quickly.
