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How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs Quickly
Have you also become the victim of a palmetto bug? The palmetto bug, or most commonly called the Florida cockroach is a pesky and annoying pest that reproduces at an inhumane speed and just pops about anywhere! Identifying the bug is easy; it is almost 1.5 inches long, is brown in color and possesses wings, but doesn’t actually use them, thankfully.
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In this article, you will be able to learn how to get rid of palmetto bugs. Keep in mind that getting rid of these requires persistence and patience, but once the job is done, you feel will at ease knowing no bugs are crawling around. All you have to do is take guidance from this tutorial, and you will be good to go.
How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs
Things You Will Need
There are two methods to get rid of the bugs. One is the chemical process, and the other doesn’t involve any chemicals at all. Here are the things that you will need in order to get rid of the palmetto bugs:
Without Using Any Chemicals
- Copper mesh. Alternatively, you can also use a wool or steel mesh
- Wire screens
- Plumbing skills
- Trash can with a fitted lid
- Plastic bag
- Vacuum cleaner
Using The Chemical
- Boric acid
- Hand Duster
- A mixture of sugar, flour, and water
- Liquid residual
- Contact sprays
- Pesticide, preferably citrus ones
- IGR
Before you proceed with this tutorial, check out the video below which talks about the tips and tricks you need to use when dealing with palmetto bugs.
Getting Rid of Palmetto Bugs Without Chemicals
Step 1 – Caulking
The first thing that you need to do is to caulk all of the cracks, holes, and crevices present in your house. To do this, you can use copper, wool or steel mesh. The purpose of this step is to close all of the routes with which the bugs can enter your house. Moreover, to be on the safe side, use wire screens in floor drains, air vents, and windows.
Step 2 – Eliminate Cardboard Boxes
The next step is to remove any and all cardboard boxes that are present in your house. You might think of this as an absurd step to follow; however, the honeycomb design that the cardboards have provides not only these bugs but also other cockroaches the perfect space for hiding and reproducing.
Step 3 – Eliminate Food and Water Sources
Get rid of all of food and water sources that you can find. Palmetto bugs can use these sources and live off on them. Possible sources which you should look for are leaks, pet water, pet food, dripping faucets, and dirty kitchens.
Step 4 – Use the Right Trash Can
Make sure that the garbage can you use has a lid which fits tightly so that palmetto bugs do not enter and thrive off of the food present in the can.
Step 5 – Fix the Leaks
Fix all of the leaky drains and faucets that you can find. This is quite crucial because palmetto bugs can survive only on water as well.
Step 6 – Store Pet Containers
If you love pets and have one living with you, then make it a habit that you empty their food containers at night. In fact, the results would be even more effective if you could place the containers in a tightly closed plastic bag.
Step 7 – Vacuum
Make a habit of vacuuming your house on a regular basis so that there are no food particles left for the bugs to thrive on. Moreover, try to restrict eating to any one room. This way, since food particles will be limited to one room, the risk of the spread of the palmetto bugs will be reduced.
- Read Also: How to Get Rid of Midges With This Easy Tips
Getting Rid of Palmetto Bugs Using Chemicals
Step 1 – Use Baits
Dust boric acids on the places where you have spotted the palmetto bugs. Use a hand duster and follow the instructions written on the label. Alternatively, you can make your own bait. To do this, mix two parts flour, one part boric acid and one-part sugar. Use water to make little balls of this mixture.
Apply boric acid or put these balls wherever the roaches tend to travel; behind baseboards and underneath them, in cabinets, wall voids, and cupboards, and underneath big appliances like dryers and washers.
Step 2 – Use a Liquid Residual
Spray a liquid residual indoors along all the baseboards and particularly in the corners; door frames, windows, behind bookshelves, and underneath the furniture. When dealing with palmetto bugs, it is advisable that you also treat the outside of your house. These residual sprays should be reapplied each month until the infestation goes down.
Step 3 – Use Pesticides
Pesticides are perhaps the best sprays for these bugs especially the citrus ones. You have to spray the pesticide in areas where you can see the palmetto bugs residing.
PRO TIPS
Instead of buying an expensive pesticide, you can make your own pesticide at home.
Mix a single tablespoon of black pepper with liquid dishwashing detergent (1 teaspoon) and 3.5 grams of tobacco dust. Simply spray the mixture in areas that has bugs. You can make as much of the mixture you want. However, it is advised to create a new batch as it’ll grow ineffective after a week of storage.
Step 4 – Use Contact Sprays
The purpose of contact sprays is to kill the bugs on contact immediately. However, you can also use these sprays to flush out the bugs from suspected places and harborages.
Step 5 – Use an IGR
IGR is basically a chemical which is used to disturb the life cycle of the insects when they are in the larvae and egg stage in their development. The purpose of using an IGR is to prevent the pest from reaching its adulthood, thus preventing reproduction.
In fact, IGR can be called a birth control for insects as they help to prevent not only current infestations but also future infestation thus keeping the population under control.
You should apply the IGR on all cracks and crevices visible including inside wall voids, behind outlets, alongside appliances, and along the pipe collars. Do this each month until the infestation is eliminated.
To get a better understanding on how to use an IGR, take a look at this useful tutorial.
Wind-Up
We understand how frustrating it is to deal with bugs especially because of how bugs bring in diseases. Therefore, it is important that you follow each of the steps mentioned above for effective results.
Remember, you should not expect immediate results as it will take time for the bugs to be eliminated entirely, however, rest assured that in time you won’t have to deal with these bugs.
Was this tutorial enjoyable? Do you think it is helpful enough? Drop in a comment below and give us your opinion on this tutorial. And don’t forget to share it with your friends who might be facing the problem that you are!
About the Author Laura Bennett
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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