You are much more likely to see palmetto bugs in your home during or after a heavy rain than when it is dry, especially if it's also at night (palmetto bugs are nocturnal). They are hard to miss given their size and dark color.
They find their way indoors when the temperature drops and get inside by crawling through gaps in doors and windows, torn screens, and cracks. If you suspect you have an infestation, look for palmetto bugs in the dark and damp areas of your home, such as: Under the sink or refrigerator. In attics and crawl spaces.
Heavy rain flushes them out of sewers and other hiding spots and sends them scurrying for a dry place to escape, often inside your home. Once inside, they'll seek out dark, warm, moist hiding spots to take refuge. Cockoaches can be quite a problem when they infest your home.
Behavior of Palmetto Bugs
Palmetto bugs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night. They prefer dark, moist environments where they can easily find food and water.
Palmetto bugs often come indoors in search of food, water, or shelter, especially when the weather changes. They can enter through cracks, gaps, or open doors and windows.
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.
You are much more likely to see palmetto bugs in your home during or after a heavy rain than when it is dry, especially if it's also at night (palmetto bugs are nocturnal). They are hard to miss given their size and dark color.
Because the palmetto bug is nocturnal, it will avoid any bright light, even an artificial one. However, another native to the Lowcountry, the Asian Cockroach, is attracted to lights, so to avoid any cockroach encounter it's best to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed.
Palmetto bugs lay eggs similar to other cockroaches, but infestations will contain on average 100 eggs per case. These eggs are about the size of a pea and they are likely to be clustered in hidden areas like walls or behind cabinets. These eggs are brown, ovoid in shape and measure about 3mm.
In general, roaches live in places that flood easily, such as drains, pipes, foundations, sewers and crawl places. When there are heavy rains, cockroaches are displaced. In their attempt to avoid drowning, they often find themselves in your home. In general, when cockroaches do not drown, they thrive in wet weather.
The idea that roaches only infest filthy homes is a myth. While poor sanitation can contribute to infestations, even spotless homes can attract cockroaches under the right conditions. Environmental factors, such as humidity and nearby landscaping, play a significant role in attracting these resilient pests.
“Palmetto bug” isn't a scientific term. Instead, it's a colloquial nickname for smoky brown and American cockroaches. These cockroach species can grow up to three inches long and are usually found in the U.S. south, where they tend to nest in palmetto bushes and palm trees.
Strictly speaking, palmetto bugs do not make nests. They lay their eggs in egg cases and glue them close to food supplies. However, Palmetto bugs congregate in large numbers in dark, warm, humid areas. In houses, that is often the basement, bathroom, or near the hot water heater.
“Palmetto Bug” is a common name often used to describe various species of cockroaches and some beetles found in the Southeastern United States, particularly South Carolina and Florida.
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!
Bleach is effective against cockroaches by damaging their exoskeleton and internal systems, but it is not a reliable long-term pest control solution. While useful for cleaning and disinfection, bleach can be hazardous if not handled properly, posing risks to humans, pets, and surfaces.
Garlic: Garlic repels palmetto bugs through its strong odor that insects find repulsive, making it an effective natural insect repellent that can deter and repel these pests effectively. Cinnamon: Cinnamon's strong aroma overwhelms palmetto bugs, causing them to flee the area.
Palmetto bugs don't pose an immediately life-threatening health concern, but can trigger asthma and allergic reactions, administer itchy bites, carry harmful bacteria, or simply be a signal that your home's sanitation is not up to standard.
Plants: Herbs and plants that repel palmetto bugs include mint, garlic, cinnamon, and bay leaves. Fermented liquids: Consider setting a trap for these nocturnal bugs before going to bed.
The scent emitted by the peppermint oil will act as a barrier, making these areas unattractive to roaches and encouraging them to seek shelter elsewhere.
Because roaches tend to make their homes in sewers and drains, when heavy rain occurs, roaches may try to get into your home, seeking higher ground. Roaches can enter your home through tiny cracks and crevices in your foundation, through dishwasher drains, and through other entryways around windows and doors.
Palmetto bugs are usually nocturnal, so you're more likely to see them crawling around at night. It's possible to have more than a few in your home. This might mean an infestation.
The average life expectancy for a palmetto bug is two years according to Benson. That life normally starts off in the spring. The bug will then develop into adulthood by the end of the ensuing winter and breed the following spring, reaching “old age for a bug,” as Benson put it, as winter comes around again.