How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs So They Don’t Return

Palmetto bugs, also known as American cockroaches, are large, red-brown cockroaches that can grow up to 2 inches long. They are found throughout the southern United States, especially in humid and tropical climates. While palmetto bugs don’t bite or spread disease, they can be a nuisance in homes due to their large size, smell, and ability to contaminate food sources. Getting rid of palmetto bugs and preventing them from returning requires diligence and addressing all possible entry points into the home. With the right techniques, you can eliminate an existing infestation and stop future ones from occurring.

Identifying Palmetto Bugs

The first step is confirming you are dealing with palmetto bugs and not other cockroach species. Here are some key identifying traits:

• Size: Palmetto bugs can grow up to 2 inches long, much larger than other household cockroaches.
• Color: They have a reddish-brown coloration on their bodies.
• Wings: Adult palmetto bugs have full-sized wings that extend past their abdomen. They are strong flyers.
• Antennae: Their antennae are about as long as their entire body.
• Egg case: Females carry around an egg capsule that looks like a purse and can contain up to 16 eggs.

If you spot large, reddish-brown cockroaches with long wings and antennae, it’s likely you have palmetto bugs taking up residence. Their size and flying abilities make them more difficult to control than smaller cockroaches.

Finding Their Entry Points

Palmetto bugs don’t originate indoors – they come inside from outdoor habitats. To prevent more from entering, you need to locate and seal up their points of entry.

Inspect around doors, windows, utility pipes, vents, gaps in siding, torn screens, and any other cracks or crevices. Palmetto bugs can squeeze into spaces as thin as 1/8 inch. Pay close attention to:

• Attics and basements, especially unfinished areas. Look for gaps around pipes or wiring conduits.
• The perimeter of the home, including foundations and exterior walls. Cracks in siding, stucco, or brickwork allow easy entry.
• Around plumbing fixtures, AC units, vents, and fans. Check for loose covers or gaps in ductwork.
• Near food and water sources like leaky pipes, pet bowls, or moist areas under appliances. These attract roaches.
• Hollow patio furniture, palm trees, mulch beds, and debris piles which can harbor the bugs.

Finding how palmetto bugs enter allows you to prioritize sealing those access points. This is key for preventing future infestations after getting rid of existing roaches.

Sealing Cracks and Crevices

Once you find potential entryways for palmetto bugs, seal them up with caulk, expanding foam, insulation, screens, or other sealing materials:

• Use silicone or latex caulk around doors, windows, pipes, wiring holes, and in gaps along the foundation.
• Spray foam sealant works well for large gaps and cracks in walls, basements, or attics. It expands to fill the space completely.
• Stuff steel wool or copper mesh into small openings that you don’t want fully sealed, like around pipes or wiring conduits. This allows air flow while blocking insects.
• Install weatherstripping around doors and windows or replace worn thresholds. This helps stop roaches entering through gaps underneath.
• Repair torn window and door screens. Stainless steel mesh screening lasts longer than fiberglass or aluminum options.
• Seal utility access doors, vents, and AC units with caulk or foam. Make sure condensation can still drain out.
• Clear ivy, mulch, or debris away from the home’s exterior walls. Eliminate hiding spots.

Reducing access points takes away potential food, water, and harborage that attracts palmetto bugs and allows populations to grow unchecked indoors. It also improves the effectiveness of interior pest control methods.

Using Exclusion Traps

For entry points that can’t be fully sealed, you can install exclusion traps – devices that use one-way openings or funnel roaches outdoors without allowing re-entry. Different options include:

• Funnel traps – Plastic traps with internal funnels that let roaches enter from outdoors but prevent exit back inside.
• Mesh screening – Copper, steel or aluminum mesh with a one-way opening. Lets air flow while excluding insects.
• Air curtains – Battery powered fans mounted over vents or openings that blow air across the gap, disrupting insect flight patterns.
• Diatomaceous earth – Natural mineral dust that can be applied in a light coating around baseboards or wall voids. The sharp particles cut roaches’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration.

Position exclusion traps along known or potential entry areas like wall voids, soffits, vents, windows, and doors. This forms a second line of defense for stopping roaches that get past primary sealing efforts.

Removing Clutter and Food Sources

Palmetto bugs thrive on mishandled food waste, excess moisture, and clutter that offers hiding spots. Improve sanitation and remove these roach attractants:

• Clean food crumbs and spills right away, especially under appliances or cabinets. Don’t let grease accumulate on kitchen surfaces.
• Empty the garbage frequently and use tight fitting lids on trash cans. Avoid overflowing bins.
• Fix any water leaks and eliminate standing water under houseplants, in pet bowls, or from pipes. Roaches drink from these sources.
• Vacuum and declutter indoor spaces regularly. Less clutter means fewer places for roaches to hide.
• Store human or pet food in tightly sealed containers. Non-refrigerated pet food and dry bulk foods left open allow roaches to easily feed and contaminate.
• Don’t let dirty dishes accumulate in the sink. Scrape and rinse them right after use.
• Clean behind and under appliances, inside cabinets, in basements and storage areas where food debris can collect unnoticed.

Cutting off their food and water takes away the appeal of your home for palmetto bugs. Maintaining cleanliness and fixing moisture issues discourages ongoing infestations.

Using Boric Acid Powder

Boric acid is one of the most effective and affordable indoor treatments for a palmetto bug problem. The fine powder kills roaches through ingestion or contact. When applied correctly, it also offers long-term residual activity.

Follow these tips for using boric acid:

• Focus application in out-of-sight areas where roaches hide – under appliances, behind cabinets, around baseboards, etc. Avoid open surfaces.
• Apply a fine layer so roaches contact the powder while crawling. Don’t pile it up thickly.
• Reapply if the powder gets wet or cleaned up. It should persist in dry hidden areas.
• Use a hand duster to blow powder into cracks, crevices, wall voids, and closed off spaces.
• Wear gloves and avoid inhaling the powder during application. Keep boric acid away from open foods.
• Keep pets away while applying. Borax can be toxic if directly ingested in large amounts.

Boric acid powder is safe for use around kids and pets when applied correctly in inaccessible areas. The small amount needed for pest control is low risk.

Using Gel Baits

Cockroach gel baits offer another chemical control option. They contain insecticides mixed into a sweet gel roaches find appetizing. Gel baits work through smaller applications than sprays, directly targeting roaches while reducing exposure for people and pets.

Follow these guidelines when using gel baits:

• Place small pea-sized bait dots into cracks, crevices, under appliances, and secluded corners away from open surfaces.
• Use bait stations if you have children or pets. These protective plastic containers keep gel enclosed but allow roaches entry.
• Reapply new bait dots periodically as directed since roaches eat the gel. Rotate products with different active ingredients.
• Avoid using bait gels alongside boric acid powder. Combined residues can deter roaches from consuming the bait.
• Focus bait placement near plumbing fixtures, under large appliances, and anywhere roaches are frequently spotted.

Gel baits effectively draw roaches out of hiding with their appetizing formula. The insecticide progressively kills roaches that consume it and spreads back to others in their hiding places.

Applying Insecticide Sprays

Insecticide sprays provide quick knockdown of adult palmetto bugs compared to slower-acting baits and powders. However, sprays have some disadvantages:

• Residual effect fades faster than baits or boric acid, requiring frequent reapplication.
• Doesn’t penetrate deep into hiding spots like boric acid powder does.
• Higher risk of exposure to people and pets.

Due to these drawbacks, only use sprays strategically for targeted elimination of visible roaches:

• Apply spray inside cabinets, under appliances, or other enclosed areas away from food surfaces. Don’t spray exposed countertops or floors.
• Follow product labels carefully and avoid overapplication. More spray does not equal better results.
• Vacate the area during spraying and allow proper drying time before re-entering.
• Combine spraying with baits or boric acid rather than relying only on sprays for ongoing control.
• Rotate active ingredients periodically to prevent roach populations from developing spray resistance.

While not a standalone solution, occasional targeted spraying removes roaches on sight and can supplement other integrated treatments.

Using Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural mineral dust that can provide long-term roach control without harsh pesticide residues. It consists of tiny fossilized plankton particles that feel like powder to us but act as razor-sharp shards under a microscope.

Diatomaceous earth cuts and damages insects’ waxy exoskeletons upon contact, causing dehydration and death within 48 hours. To use it for palmetto bugs:

• Apply a fine layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth in cracks, crevices, hidden voids, and spots where roaches travel.
• Wear a dust mask to avoid breathing in the fine particles during application. Avoid skin or eye contact.
• Reapply if the dust gets wet or covered up. It must stay dry to remain effective.
• Focus on areas where pets or kids won’t contact or inhale it. Diatomaceous earth can be irritating if inhaled in large amounts.
• Remove cockroach carcasses once the dust takes effect to prevent others from avoiding treated areas.

Diatomaceous earth provides chemical-free ongoing control with proper application. The sharp particles continue killing roaches long after application.

Using Desiccant Dusts

Desiccant dusts like tri-die or silica aerogel are similar to diatomaceous earth, made up of super-fine particles that abrade roaches’ protective outer coating. This causes fatal water loss when roaches contact these dusts.

For desiccant dust application:

• Use a hand duster or bulb syringe to apply a fine layer inside wall voids, cracks and crevices, attics, vents, electrical boxes, etc.
• Focus on hidden areas out of reach of children and pets. Avoid deposits in the open.
• Reapply periodically since desiccants don’t have long residual action if areas get wet.
• Wear proper breathing protection during application to avoid inhaling the fine particles.

Desiccant dusts provide botanical, non-toxic roach control when placed strategically in inaccessible voids and secluded spaces throughout the home.

Using Essential Oils

Certain plant essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil naturally repel and kill cockroaches. You can use these as follows:

• Mix a few drops of essential oil into water and use as a spray repellent along baseboards, window sills, and doorway thresholds.
• Place cotton balls soaked with diluted essential oils inside wall voids or gaps where roaches may enter.
• Spray a perimeter around potential cockroach entry points outdoors.
• Saturate cotton swabs and stuff into cracks. The oil will diffuse out slowly.
• Add a few drops of essential oil into boric acid powder or diatomaceous earth for enhanced insecticidal properties.

While not as strong at killing roaches as synthetic insecticides, essential oils are non-toxic and provide a repelling scent barrier against the pests. Reapply them frequently for best results.

Using Homemade Baits and Traps

For inexpensive roach control, you can create homemade baits and traps:

• Combine boric acid or diatomaceous earth dust with a sticky substance like honey, sugar syrup, or nut butter. Place this mixture in bottle caps or jar lids in problem areas.
• Fill shallow dishes with soapy water – roaches are attracted at night but can’t escape once they fall into the slippery water.
• Stuff a slice of bread or banana peel into a narrow jar to trap roaches overnight. The narrow opening prevents escape.
• Place planks of wood or cardboard near walls – roaches will hide underneath during the day. Inspect and dispose of the wood in a sealed bag to remove any trapped roaches.
• Make a sweet sugar-yeast bait by mixing 2 parts sugar with 1 part yeast dissolved in water. The fermentation process attracts roaches.

While homemade remedies are usually less potent than commercial products, they can help capture and kill roaches through traps and poisoned bait stations as part of an integrated program.

Using Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are tiny worms that parasitize and kill cockroach nymphs and eggs in wall voids, under slabs, and in other hidden spaces. Once released, they actively seek out immature roaches.

Follow these tips for effective nematode treatment:

• Purchase live nematodes and release into moist, humid areas where roaches breed. Avoid open, dry areas.
• Follow storage and application instructions carefully to ensure nematodes remain alive and mobile after release.
• Apply nematodes in locations like under sinks, tubs, faucets, etc. where pipes create warmer, humid microclimates.
• Release nematodes at night when roach nymphs are most active and nematodes won’t dry out.
• Apply beneficial nematodes 2-3 times per year for ongoing control of young roaches.

Releasing nematodes introduces natural parasites into hidden breeding areas that disrupt the roach lifecycle by attacking nymphs. This reduces future adult populations emerging inside.

Hiring a Pest Control Professional

For severe palmetto bug infestations, the most effective solution is getting professional pest control assistance. Exterminators have experience locating stubborn roach harborage spots and access to stronger chemicals and application methods homeowners can’t utilize.

Here are some tips for hiring pest control services:

• Get at least 3 quotes from licensed, insured, reputable companies before selecting one.
• Ask about their specific protocol and products for treating palmetto bugs. Look for EPA-approved, non-odor options.
• Opt for baiting and targeted crack and crevice treatments rather than broad spraying.
• Confirm they will seal gaps and entry points not just kill visible roaches. Exclusion is key.
• Compare warranties. Multi-month residual coverage is ideal to prevent roach return.
• Schedule services during times when you can vacate the home for a few hours to avoid chemical exposure.

While adding cost, professionals can eliminate severe roach infestations that DIY efforts can’t put a dent in. Their expertise and arsenal of restricted products are better equipped for heavy roach populations.

Preventing Roaches From Returning

After addressing an existing palmetto bug problem, continue prevention measures to stop new infestations from developing:

• Maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, bathrooms, and areas where food or water may accumulate.
• Quickly fix any plumbing leaks or moisture issues.
• Inspect annually for new gaps or damage allowing roaches to enter, and seal these up.
• Use boric acid powder or diatomaceous earth dust in out of reach voids as ongoing repellent.
• Deploy roach bait stations and traps periodically to monitor for signs of new activity.
• Contact pest control for follow up treatments if you suspect roaches are returning.
• Replace worn door sweeps, screens, and seals around utilities to maintain exclusion.
• Address conducive conditions outdoors like standing water, vegetation touching walls, or piles of debris near the home’s exterior.
• Be vigilant following heavy rains or tropical storms for increased roach populations.

Staying on top of sanitation, maintenance, and monitoring for reinfestation is key to preventing recurring roach issues after the initial elimination. Be proactive.

FAQs About Getting Rid of Palmetto Bugs

How long does it take to get rid of palmetto bugs?

Depending on the size of the infestation, it can take 2-4 weeks to fully eliminate an existing palmetto bug problem indoors using an integrated pest management approach. Ongoing prevention is then required to stop new roaches from returning.

What scent do palmetto bugs hate?

Strong essential oil scents like peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and tea tree deter palmetto bugs. Spray these oils mixed with water along baseboards, doors, and potential entry points. The strong aroma repels roaches.

Will salt kill palmetto bugs?

Plain table salt alone does not kill roaches. However, a mixture of salt and baking soda can help dehydrate and kill palmetto bugs through direct contact. Sprinkle this powder in affected areas, concentrating under appliances and along baseboards. The abrasive texture also damages their exoskeletons.

Do palmetto bugs come out every night?

Palmetto bugs are nocturnal and will emerge at night in search of food and water sources when it’s dark and quiet. During the day, they