How To Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs (2024)

Safety Products

  • Nitrile Chemical Resistant Gloves

    How To Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs (2)

    $16.78

  • Basic Safety Kit

    How To Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs (4)

    $25.31
    Out of Stock

  • Professional Safety Kit with Comfo Respirator

    How To Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs (6)

    $101.20
    Out of Stock

Please be sure to read the product label of any insecticide you choose to use to get information on the personal protective safety gear you will need. In most situations, it is recommended that you wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, closed toe shoes with socks, chemical resistant gloves, and goggles. In areas where ventilation is poor, a manufacturer may recommend you wear a mask or a respirator. We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you.

By DoMyOwn staff

Print Article

Product Recommendations

Quick View

Pro Pick

Roach Control Kit Rotation A

(172)

$88.98

Free Shipping!

4%
Off
Quick View

Pro Pick

Roach Control Kit Rotation B

(42)

On Sale!
$89.09
Was: $92.98

Free Shipping!

Quick View

Pro Pick

Roach Control Kit Rotation C

(75)

$86.98

Free Shipping!

The Palmetto Bug, also known as the American co*ckroach, or waterbug, is reddish-brown in color, about 1.5 inches in length, and has wings but will seldom actually fly. Getting rid of this pest requires patience, persistence, and a combination of both chemical and non-chemical methods.


Step 1)
Non Chemical Methods for Palmetto Bug Control

Sanitation
Like most pests, Palmetto Bugs require 3 things to thrive-food, water, and harborage. If you can eliminate even one of these things through proper sanitation, the roach population will be forced to either die or move someplace else.

  • Discard old boxes and piles of papers where roaches can hide.
  • Use a waste bin or trash can with a tight fitting lid and keep trash in a close plastic bag overnight.
  • Fix leaky drains and faucets; roaches can live on water alone.
  • Clean kitchen appliances thoroughly
  • Empty pet food containers at night, or place them on the back porch or in a plastic bag.
  • Vacuum regularly, and restrict food consumption to one room of the house. This will help keep Palmetto Bugs and other pests from spreading into others areas such as bedrooms.

Exclusion
Palmetto Bugs prefer to live outdoors, but will easily set up residence indoors if they can find their way inside. Exclusion is about keeping Palmetto Bugs out, or at least making it harder for them to get in.

  • Caulk and repair holes around doors, windows, water pipes and baseboards.
  • Place mesh screens over windows, floor drains, and vents. These places serve as roach hideaways.
  • Windows and doors should fit tightly and squarely within their frames to prevent both harborage and entry from outside.


Step 2)
Chemical Methods for Palmetto Bug Control

Dust Cracks & Crevices

  • The dusts that work best against Palmetto Bugs are Delta Dust and CB Borid Boric Acid.
  • Using a hand duster and following label instructions, apply dust liberally where roaches travel--underneath and behind baseboards, behind wall outlets, in wall voids, in cupboards and cabinets, and underneath appliances such as washers and dryers.

Apply a Liquid Residual to the Perimeter

  • Demand CS, Suspend SC, or Demon WP provide excellent control when mixed in a 2 gallon sprayer and applied at a low-pressure setting.
  • Spray indoors along baseboards, especially in corners; window and door frames, on the underside of furniture, behind bookshelves, and in other problem areas as listed on the product label. With Palmetto bugs, the outher perimeter of the home or structure should also be treated.
  • Residual sprays need to be reapplied every month to every 3 months, depending on the level of infestation.

Baits

  • Use Niban FG in attics, basem*nts, and crawlspaces where Palmetto Bugs enter, and
  • For added protection, spread DeltaGard G Granules outdoors in pine straw and mulched areas surrounding the infested structure.

Kill ‘em on Contact
Contact sprays will kill roaches immediately on contact, and can also be used to "flush out" roaches from suspected harborages. Contact Sprays for Palmetto Bugs include CB-80 Extra, Cy-Kick, D-Force HPX, 565 Plus XLO.

Don't Skip the IGR!
An IGR is a chemical used to disrupt and impede the life cycle of insects in the egg and larvae stage of development. The idea with an IGR is that if an insect cannot reach adulthood, it cannot reproduce. In short, IGR is a form of "birth control" for Palmetto Bugs and other pests, which helps to keep populations under control by preventing current and future infestations.

  • The most common and effective IGR for roach control is Gentrol IGR, which comes in an aerosol , concentrated liquid, and point-source tablet.
  • We recommend Gentrol IGR Concentrate to be added to your hand sprayer and sprayed right along with your baseboard chemical ( Demand CS, Suspend SC, or Demon WP).
  • For kitchen and bathroom areas, Gentrol Aerosol is the formulation of choice. Using the straw attachment, the IGR should be applied liberally to all visible cracks and crevices, including underneath, behind, and alongside appliances, behind outlets, along pipe collars, inside wall voids, and on top of kitchen cabinets near the ceiling.
  • Continue to apply IGR every 4 to 6 weeks for up to 6 months, or until all signs of infestation have been eliminated.

View all Roach Control Products

1150 of 1196 people found this article informative and helpful.

Was this article informative and helpful to you? Yes| No

How To Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs (2024)

FAQs

How To Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs? ›

Borax is an effective organic way to kill palmetto bugs. Mix 1 part borax with 1 part powdered sugar and spread it in places the palmetto bugs hide, such as under the sink, behind appliances, and around the hot water heater.

How do you permanently get rid of palmetto bugs? ›

Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth behind baseboards, in cracks and crevices, and wherever you think palmetto bugs live. It's a natural way to kill palmetto bugs by drying out their bodies. Mix 1 part sugar with three parts borax and put it anywhere you've seen a palmetto bug or droppings.

What is the best product to get rid of palmetto bugs? ›

The easiest treatment method for getting rid of palmetto bugs is to spray the house with a broad spectrum insecticide such as Avesta SC. Best results are achieved by spraying the exterior walls of the structure including the foundation. On the interior, spray in the cracks and crevices throughout the house.

What smell do palmetto bugs hate? ›

Some smells that they are commonly reported to dislike include: Peppermint: The strong scent of peppermint oil can deter palmetto bugs and other co*ckroach species. Cedar: The aroma of cedar wood or cedar oil can be unpleasant for co*ckroaches.

Do palmetto bugs come up through drains? ›

Palmetto bugs can quickly jump from branches near the house or climb the exterior wall to find a little hole to squeeze through. Even if you're sure there are no cracks or holes in your building, these determined critters can even come up through the drains and plumbing pipes!

What is the fastest way to get rid of palmetto bugs? ›

Use food-grade diatomaceous earth—The finite crystals in this powder will dehydrate palmetto bugs, causing them to die. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth anywhere you've seen a palmetto bug.

What home remedy kills palmetto bugs? ›

Peppermint oil is a natural palmetto bug repellent that can kill bugs in high concentrations. Other oils that have similar properties are neem, clove, lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus. Make a homemade spray by mixing 15 drops of essential oil with 10 ounces of water.

Why do I have so many palmetto bugs all of a sudden? ›

If there are crumbs, food spills, or open food containers in your home, it can attract palmetto bugs. Make sure to keep kitchen surfaces clean, store food in airtight containers, and promptly clean up spills. Moisture: co*ckroaches are drawn to damp an.

How often should you spray for palmetto bugs? ›

In general, all exterior areas of a house should have an annual insect control treatment, such as spraying, to keep your home protected. In addition interiors must be treated more often and more closely should you notice a recurrence of roaches and other insects.

Why do I have so many palmetto bugs? ›

Certain conditions can attract palmetto bugs into your home, like: Cracks and crevices that bugs can squeeze through. Food sources like garbage cans and sink strainers. Indoor plants.

Do dryer sheets repel roaches? ›

Linalool is an alcohol derived from plants, and it gives dryer sheets their distinctive scent. In sufficient concentrations, linalool can indeed be used as a pest repellant, but your average dryer sheet doesn't contain enough of it to actually work on roaches.

What smell will keep roaches away? ›

co*ckroaches hate the smell of peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils? That is because it disrupts and masks the scent trails which co*ckroaches use to hunt for their food. Roaches die when they are exposed to higher concentrations of essential oils, particularly peppermint oil.

What cleaning products do roaches hate? ›

Mint. It has been said that co*ckroaches dislike the strong smell of mint, so using this scent in your home can be effective in keeping these pests away. Whether you grow mint plants or use mint-scented cleaning products, you can enjoy this fresh scent in your home while keeping co*ckroaches out of your home.

Are palmetto bugs scared of light? ›

Light is a major source of attraction for most beetles and having a large palmetto bug flying at the light when you enter your home can be disconcerting to say the least. The insect is not attacking, however. It's simply trying to get to the light. They're also attracted to sources of water, food, warmth, and shelter.

Can palmetto bugs come up through toilet? ›

These roaches have been found emerging from sinks, bathtubs and floor drains, as well as toilets. Palmetto bugs are typically around half an inch shorter in body length than American co*ckroaches, and palmetto bugs possess a black exterior, while American co*ckroaches have a reddish-brown appearance.

Should I squish a co*ckroach? ›

But it's also dangerous to stomp or smash them because the particles can get sent into the air where they can be swallowed or inhaled. And when you retrieve the dead bug your hands can become contaminated. If there's one thing we learned in 2020, traditionally people aren't that great at washing their hands.

What attracts palmetto bugs into the house? ›

Because they're drawn to places where water is present, palmetto bugs come into homes with leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and humid basem*nts. The inside of your home will also attract these co*ckroaches if the weather outside cools down. The insects will seek shelter indoors where it's warmer.

Should I be worried if I see a palmetto bug in my house? ›

“Palmetto bug” is a term often used to refer to several species of co*ckroaches. Many people think palmetto bugs look creepy and scary. These pests also pose a serious threat to human health and property. They can infest buildings and outdoor spaces, like basem*nts, compost piles, and kitchens.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 6380

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.