When people moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida in the ‘70s and ‘80s, it wasn’t uncommon for folks to tell them, “We don’t have roaches, we have palmetto bugs,” like they were somehow classier. In the ‘90s, the word spread that palmetto bugs were cockroaches that could fly. What’s the truth? Well, we’re glad you asked.
Roach Motel
Like many bugs – and humans, too – Florida’s subtropical weather holds immense appeal to cockroaches. There are a whole myriad of bugs that flourish here more than anywhere else. The almost constant 80 degrees, moderate to high humidity, and daily summer rains make it a perfect habitat.
There are more than 4000 species of cockroaches, with 70 in the United States, many of which can be found in Florida. Our most prevalent species are the American cockroach, German cockroach, Florida woods cockroach, and Smokybrown cockroach. Most of them prefer the outdoors, burrowing into sewers, leaf debris, mulch and rotting materials.
German cockroaches are the little brown roaches people spot in their kitchens and pantries. They’re light brown, around a ½ inch long, with two dark, vertical stripes. Despite the name, they’re probably from Ethiopia, not Germany, as it's way too cold for them there.
So, which ones are palmetto bugs? Well, it depends on where you live. Technically, all cockroaches are palmetto bugs. The unwritten habit of calling them palmetto bugs that originated in Florida and South Carolina.
Palmetto Yuck
To be fair, language is an ever-evolving thing. And the original roaches that were referred to as palmetto bugs were not the German cockroaches. They were more likely the American cockroaches and sometimes the Smokybrown cockroaches. These are large roaches, between an inch and a half to three inches long. They’re darker brown and prefer to live outdoors, especially in foliage like the palmetto bushes that grow everywhere around here. Hence the term Palmetto Bug.
And yes, they have wings. They can also travel at 210 miles per hour, relative to their size. They don’t typically like the kitchen but will often hang out in and near your house in darker, damper areas, like bathrooms, under decks, in tool sheds and garages. They only live for about a year, but can produce 150 babies in that time.
Checking Out
The best way to keep roaches out of your home is sealing up entry points – but be aware, cockroaches can squeeze through holes as small as two pennies high. After you seal those holes, do a deep cleaning. Scrub behind appliances, under sinks, and inside cabinets. You want to eliminate grease and any and all food crumbs.
Cockroaches are not easy to get rid of without professional help. The good news is, our Green Perimeter Plus treatment takes care of roaches, as well as ants, spiders and other common household pests. It’s affordable and safe for the whole family, including pets. We avoid harsh chemicals and we start with an inspection where we identify where to seal up all those potential entry points. For more details, or to schedule your inspection and first treatment, please give us a call!