Written by John Cho | Home Care | Last Updated: 05/13/2023
You would think there couldn’t be anything worse appearance-wise than a regular co*ckroach. Well, say hello to the large palmetto bug. Here are some tips on how you can deal with these large nuisance pests without touching them.
1. Strategically Place Roach Glue Traps
Grab some glue traps and place them in as many places as you can in the house. We suggest using a glue trap, such as the Greener Mindset trap, that utilizes non-toxic ingredients. Locations we suggest include the kitchen, bathroom, cabinets, wardrobes, garage, and basem*nt. The more traps you can place, the better.
2. Make Deathly Boric Acid Roach Baits
Boric acid is a cheap and efficient way of dealing with palmetto bugs. It doesn’t kill the bugs immediately, but you can feel reassured knowing that palmetto bugs have little resistance to it once they consume or come into contact with the mineral. Boric acid can kill palmetto bugs in two ways. The first is via consumption. Once ingested, the boric acid will cause disruptions in the palmetto bug’s digestive system, then eventually cause even more havoc in the bug’s nervous system.
The second way is via the mineral’s abrasive property. The boric acid will scratch the palmetto bug’s exoskeleton and cause them to slowly dry out. The insect won’t survive for long if they lose their internal fluid balance. We recommend turning the boric acid into a bait by mixing it with a bit of sugar, flour, and Crisco (make sure to use gloves when mixing the ingredient). The mixture should eventually turn into a sticky dough-like texture. Place the bait along common pest-entry points.
Please note that boric acid does have a moderate level of toxicity despite being a naturally-occurring mineral. We don’t recommend it for people who live with pets or young children in case of accidental ingestion. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a safer alternative.
3. Kill the Bugs with Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
This natural white powder has a similar effect to boric acid. It also has a naturally-abrasive property. To bugs, stepping on diatomaceous earth will feel like stepping on shards of broken glass. We won’t feel it because the sharp edges are microscopic.
Grab a bag of food-grade diatomaceous earth and spread a generous amount on areas where palmetto bugs are likely to frequent. Please make sure you don’t grab the pool-grade powder as it is extremely toxic. Food-grade diatomaceous earth won’t cause any problems unless you accidentally inhale a large amount of powder.
4. Seal all the Cracks and Gaps in the House
You can reduce the number of palmetto bugs that appear in the house by sealing up all the cracks, gaps, and holes that serve as easy entry points. For example, one homeowner was able to eliminate the palmetto bugs by boarding up a hole they identified behind the wardrobe.
Palmetto bugs are fairly big in size but are still capable of slipping through tiny gaps and cracks. Do a thorough examination of your house and make sure all the openings are sealed with materials like caulk. Some bugs might even enter from electrical outlets.
5. Consider Getting a Cat
Obviously, the palmetto bug shouldn’t be the sole reason for getting a cat but if you have already been having strong thoughts of bringing a feline pal home then here’s another reason to do it. Many cat owners have reported that their cats have been doing a killer job of eliminating the palmetto bugs that scatter around the house. These bugs aren’t just a source of entertainment. As disgusting as it may sound, some cats may even enjoy feasting on the palmetto bugs. Ideally, you want to encourage your cat to only catch the palmetto bugs and not eat it as the bugs may have been scattering around in unsanitary places.
