Florida is a great place to live. There is warm weather, beautiful beaches…what’s not to love? Insects, that’s what. This includes the disgusting palmetto bug.
You’ve definitely seen palmetto bugs before and have a general idea of what they are. But what are they really? And how do you get rid of them? Let’s take a quick look at what palmetto bugs are, and how to get rid of them when they get in your house.
What Are Palmetto Bugs?
“Palmetto bug” is simply a term that refers to cockroaches. Often in Florida, this is referring to the Florida woods cockroach. This specific species is known for being fat, sometimes even an inch wide. They also have wings. This type of cockroach lives primarily off of moss, mold, and decaying plants. In order to avoid these bugs, it’s best to keep your property cleaned and maintained.
Just like with other cockroaches, palmetto bugs spread disease and pathogens. They also have a tendency to get into everything and spread bacteria on your counters and floors. You’ll want to do what you can to both avoid them and get rid of them as soon as you see them.
How to Get Rid of Palmetto Bugs in Florida
The best thing you can do to get rid of palmetto bugs in Florida is to avoid getting them in the first place. There are a few things you can do to avoid a palmetto bug infestation. These include:
- Repairing tears in door and window screens.
- Sealing gaps in windows and doors.
- Seal any cracks around the foundation of your home.
- Inspect packages you receive before bringing them indoors.
- Use weather-stripping along your doors and windows.
Getting rid of one or two isn’t a big deal. If you start seeing them regularly, though, you may be dealing with an infestation. If this is the case, you’ll want to contact an expert pest control company to remove the cockroaches for good.
What Is a Pest Control Specialist?
A pest control specialist is a professional that is trained to identify pests, find their nests or hiding spaces, and eliminate them completely. Beyond removing the pests, a pest control specialist puts measures in place to ensure the infestation doesn’t return. Pest control specialists also use professional-grade equipment and sprays.
Once you discover a palmetto bug infestation in your home, you’ll want to reach out to a pest control company like Nationwide Pest Control today. We will connect you with a top pest control specialist in your area. From there, they will inspect your property, identify the problem areas, and remove the pests.
Tip: if you have cockroaches, make sure you clean up before your pest control specialist arrives. Keep your pets and family members away from the areas that are being treated. Also, let your specialist know if anyone in the home is pregnant, has allergies, or is under one year of age.
Other Pests in Florida
It would be great if palmetto bugs were the only insects you had to worry about in Florida. Those that live in Florida, though, know that there are all kinds of critters in the area—and a lot of them want to move in with you.
Below are other pests you may experience in Florida, along with some things you can do to avoid them:
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are extremely common in Florida. Because of this, many people ignore them. While the occasional bite is a part of life in Florida, you don’t want them living on your property. They are known to spread serious diseases.
Here are some tips for avoiding mosquitoes on your property:
- Fill in any holes on your property that have standing water.
- Dump any standing water in your home.
- Ensure your grass stays short.
- Remove stumps and debris from your property.
- Turn containers outside upside down.
Ants
Ants are annoying pests that get into your food and make their homes all over your house. Their colonies grow in numbers and, if not taken care of, will quickly become an infestation.
Here are some tips for avoiding an ant infestation:
- Use weather-stripping on your doors and windows.
- Rinse out food containers and cans before tossing them out.
- Fix damage to the exterior of your home.
- Remove branches, overgrown vegetation, and brush from your yard.
Rodents
Seeing a mouse or rat scurrying across your floor is gross. What’s even grosser is that there may be more, and they may be spreading illnesses around your house. Rodents also do damage to your property, chew through your wires, and cause all sorts of problems.
In order to avoid a rodent infestation, consider the following:
- Don’t leave your food out on the counters.
- Clean your home and vacuum regularly.
- Take out your garbage regularly.
- Close your doors and windows when you aren’t using them.
Wasps/Hornets
Wasps and hornets are particularly mean and nasty. While they are similar to bees, they are a lot more aggressive and are prone to attack. Not only do their stings hurt, but they can also cause an allergic reaction in some people. Because of this, you want to get rid of a wasp/hornet nest as soon as you notice it.
While there are at-home solutions, it’s best to contact a professional pest control company to remove a wasp or hornet nest and ensure it doesn’t come back. You’ll want to make sure the threat is completely removed, and you don’t want to put yourself at risk to do so.
Termites/Carpenter Ants
Termites and carpenter ants cause billions of dollars-worth of damage a year. They can spread around your home quickly and do massive amounts of damage. If you notice termites or carpenter ants, don’t wait around. Contact Nationwide Pest Control today to remove them.
Reach Out Today!
If you have a palmetto bug infestation, reach out today! Nationwide Pest Control will send out a pest control specialist to remove the infestation and ensure it doesn’t return.
