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Pest control

Do Palmetto Bugs Fly?

By February 10, 2023No Comments
A Palmetto bug is simply an American cockroach.

Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities. Everything from daily maintenance to weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance schedules. This includes keeping pests and insects out of your home. Protecting your home against bugs like Palmetto bugs is a huge issue in the Southern United States. It’s not easy to keep Palmetto bugs away. They love shrubs, tall grass, and access to your home. Also, they are good travelers. Do Palmetto bugs fly? Although they have wings, Palmetto bugs are not the best flyers. They glide more than fly.

Let’s take a look below at some more specifics about Palmetto bugs.

What Are Palmetto Bugs?

Believe it or not, the term “Palmetto bug” is just a nickname for the American cockroach. In addition to being called a Palmetto bug, you will often hear the species of cockroach being referred to as a Bombay canary, flying cockroach, waterbug, southern cockroach, or flying waterbug. Unfortunately, Palmetto bugs do not live in water and cannot be classified as aquatic insects. Let’s explore some other facts about the Palmetto bug.

  • Color – These bugs are reddish-brown cockroaches that are typically 1.5 inches in length.
  • Flying – Palmetto bugs have wings, however, they are not good flyers. It will typically glide in the air rather than fly.
  • Biting – Yes. Palmetto bugs can bite, but it isn’t painful or serious. You might notice a tiny red mark on the area where they have bitten you.
  • Disease – Unfortunately, Palmetto bugs do transmit diseases such as salmonella and can set off allergic reactions and asthma.

What Are Some Signs That I Have Palmetto Bugs In My Home?

Getting an understanding of signs that you have Palmetto bugs in your home is fairly simple. The more you get to know these insects the easier your pest control will be. Let’s take a look at the obvious clues.

  • There will be obvious chewing marks located on paper products such as book bindings, envelopes, stamps, and non-paper products like curtains.
  • You will notice a distinct musty smell that has been given off by the Palmetto bug.
  • There will be droppings and sheddings that look like flakes of pepper located in various cracks and crevices.
Pest control is definitely needed if you see an infestation of cockroaches or Palmetto bugs.

How Can I Control Them?

If you want to ensure that Palmetto bugs are not getting into your home and creating a nuisance of an infestation, then you should consider the following:

  • Keep any firewood elevated on a rack away from the house.
  • Maintain your lawn to keep the grass short, especially around the foundation of your home.
  • Keep any pet food in a container and do not leave it overnight.
  • Inspect all doors and windows to ensure they are sealed tightly.
  • Never plant shrubs beside or under a window where the bugs can easily access them.

The best way to keep a Palmetto bug from entering your home is by eliminating all food sources. Keep food and water inaccessible and you will prevent a Palmetto bug infestation.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you are fully aware of if Palmetto bugs fly you might want to read up on where they are typically found in your home. In many cases, Palmetto bugs or American cockroaches like to hide in dark places. Finding them in your kitchen cabinets is a likely place. Try using borax, soap and water spray, or even bay leaves to keep them out.

Next, since you are on the topic of what attracts Palmetto bugs to your home, you might want to read up on what attracts other insects. For example, what attracts ants to your home? Knowing this will help you eliminate the chance of an ant infestation, even with pest control.

Lastly, another insect that can cause a lot of damage to your home is a termite. Reading up on when to get your home inspected for termites and checking with your pest control service to keep them away is key. Also, consider reading up on how long termites live. This might give you an idea of when they might come to devour the wood in your home.

Dead Palmetto bugs are much more attractive than alive ones.

When Do I Call A Professional?

Hiring a pest control company to keep your home safe and secure from all insects and rodents is key. Even if you feel that you can handle any Palmetto bug, you will want to ensure pest control has created a barrier around your home. This will save you time and money and the stress of a nuisance pest like the Palmetto bug.

Conclusion

Maintaining pest control year-round is important for keeping you and your family safe from all pests. The main focus starts with pest control on the exterior of the home. Additionally, you will want to make sure any cracks and crevices are sealed tight so that insects cannot get in. Call on your local pest control company to come out and assess the situation of your home. All South Pest Control will be able to determine if you need basic pest service needs in McDonough, GA, and the surrounding areas.

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