The scientists have discovered around 4500 different cockroach species in the world. Palmetto bug is a term used for categorizing several cockroach species especially in Southern USA, Florida. The scientists associate these bugs with Eurycotis Floridiana, P. Australasia, Periplaneta fuliginosa, P. Americana, Blaberus Craniifer and P. Brunnea cockroach species. Croton bug, southern cockroach, flying cockroach, flying water bug or water bug are also the terms used for describing the palmetto bugs. Most people categorize palmetto bugs for all cockroaches i.e. moderate to a large size. Let’s dive in and find out about palmetto bug vs cockroach and why are they called flying palmetto bugs?
PALMETTO BUG VS COCKROACH SPECIES:
The palmetto bugs are cockroaches prone to habitats indoor and outdoors. These bugs are similar to cockroaches. However, some roaches do not prefer living inside. Palmetto bugs do not seek harborage in shrubs or trees. Such cockroaches are usually the German cockroaches who prefer living in kitchens, food storage areas or bathrooms. German cockroaches prefer living amongst their same kind to increase their population within the short duration. These species have the fastest reproduction. The German cockroaches can create colonies of around 30,000 roaches within a year.
APPEARANCE OF PALMETTO BUGS VS COCKROACHES:
The palmetto bugs are flying insects with wings. The palmetto bugs include both smoky and American cockroaches. These bugs have wings but they can just glide from surface-to-surface. They are large sized creatures and 1.5 inches in length. The palmetto bugs are the biggest type of cockroaches that can invade your home. These bugs have the dark brown color.
Also Read: What are Palmetto Bugs – Everything about Palmetto Bugs
The pro-thorax is cream-colored with dark markings resembling the sunglasses. The palmetto bugs prefer the damp conditions and stay in woodpiles, sewers, and mulch. The flying palmetto bugs prefer light. They have a particular behavior to fly towards the face when the homeowners enter the doors. The palmetto bugs are not dangerous for humans, they rarely bite us. The palmetto bug bites are not painful and it leaves small, red marks.
DIFFERENCES IN PALMETTO BUGS AND OTHER COCKROACH SPECIES:
The slight difference in other cockroach species is that they have oval-shaped, flat bodies. Their exoskeletons vary in color, some are reddish brown, dark brown or shiny black. The cockroaches have oily bodies with cool and warm temperature bodies depending on the environment. The cockroaches have small heads covered with pronotum. The mouth of the cockroach is in a backward and down direction. The cockroaches have spiny, six long legs. They use these legs for running on all surfaces. The cockroaches have specialized pads which they use for scaly surfaces. You find the cockroaches in all countries around the world as they are universal insects.
HABITAT OF PALMETTO BUGS:
These creatures are adaptable. The palmetto bugs live in places depending on the temperature and environment. The cockroaches prefer living in groups of hundreds or thousands. They prefer living in warm, moist and dark places. The palmetto bugs feed on organic material. It feeds on decaying animals, hair, and paper, food scraps in garbage or glue. These palmetto bugs or roaches can live for weeks to months without food and water. The tropical climate in Florida is an ideal habitat for palmetto bugs.
WHY COCKROACHES ARE TERMED AS FLYING PALMETTO BUGS?
The scientific experts have termed cockroaches as palmetto bugs because palmetto is a tropical plant which has the fan-shaped leaves. You find these bugs near palm leaves or shrubs within the specific region of Southern USA due to which they are named palmetto bugs. The American cockroaches are the specific type which the expert’s term as a palmetto bug. They take harborage by flying over the palm trees because of which experts name them flying palmetto bugs.
SIGNS OF PALMETTO BUG INFESTATION:
The palmetto bugs are nocturnal, you cannot detect them. The distinct signs of palmetto bugs include:
- These bugs offer a musty, distinct smell
- You can find chew marks over the book bindings, envelopes, stamps or curtains.
- The palmetto bugs shed droppings and skin similar to pepper flakes in crevices and cracks.
COMMON FINDING PLACES OF PALMETTO BUGS:
You usually find them in, under or around:
- Woodpiles
- Shrubs
- Hollow trees
- Palm leaves
- Foundations
- Sewers
- Roof shingles
- Tub and sink drains
- Crawlspaces
- Basement
- Laundry baskets
- Pool sheds and pools
HOW TO GET RID OF PALMETTO BUGS?
Remove all the hiding places at your home to discourage the infestation of palmetto bugs. You can determine these bugs by placing the firewood over the rack and keeping it away from your house. If you have pets at your place, then avoid keeping food for longer durations. Keep the trees and grass short around your house. Close your doors and windows tightly. Avoid planting shrubs near the windows.
The palmetto bugs have the resemblance to other pests but treating them is very tricky. These bugs stay in hiding places such as dark crevices or cracks throughout the day which makes it difficult to hunt them. You can control the infestation of palmetto bugs by calling the pest control.
COMMON SOLUTIONS TO GET RID OF PALMETTO BUGS:
The common solution to get rid of palmetto bugs is to use insecticides which contain cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, bifenthrin or deltamethrin. Roach baits have active ingredients which help in killing them. The roach baits have abamectin, fipronil, and hydramethylnon for effective reduction of pests.
DANGERS OF PALMETTO BUG INFESTATION:
Palmetto bugs can cause harmful health risks. The palmetto bugs carry pathogens such as salmonella that contaminates food leading to illness. These bugs prefer living in unsanitary places so it spreads germs if crawls over your food. The flying palmetto bugs or cockroaches leave shedding and feces over the place. These feces and shedding of palmetto bugs result in allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks in human beings.
Verdict:
Palmetto bugs vs cockroaches are similar, both of them serve as a source of contamination for your family. These creatures can cause bacterial infections, leave stains, foul odors, and food contamination if they enter your home. Prevention measures can help in controlling the population of roaches at your place. Palmetto bugs are not the sign of filthiness, you find them at all places where you leave uneaten food. These creepy insects feed on all food items and attract towards the dumpster flowing in your garden. It is better to consider all these facts in order to get rid of palmetto bugs or cockroaches.
