The bug topic....one more time (Palmetto: apartment complexes, condos, new house)

[JB77]

Ok gang,
I've read through some past threads regarding bugs in NE FL, and although I understand that they're simply a part of life in Jax, I would like to touch on this subject one more time.

I'm moving there in a few weeks, and am really looking forward to it. In the process of educating myself on the area, I've come to discover that apts/condos will spray for bugs about 1x a month or so--good news.
I'm used to spiders, bees and mosquitos (coming from the upper midwest), but I'm a little lost on information concerning roaches and palmetto bugs.
-are these two separate creatures, or the same w/ two different names?
-are roaches simply annoying, or can they carry disease, etc.
-what is the most effective means of keeping roaches/palmetto bugs out of your home?

I appreciate any insight you are willing to provide to a 'newbie'!!

[mawipafl]

If you're from the upper midwest part named America's Dairyland, you didn't mention houseflies :-)

I'm new to FL critters, but I believe that Palmettos are cockroaches, too, but are a different species (they're also bigger). Yes, roaches carry diseases just as houseflies do, but the difference is probably that roaches tend to be in the kitchen where food is stored and prepared.

But don't fret - I had far more bugs of all sorts when living in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania than I've seen in and around my home here in NEFL. I couldn't even consider wintertime as a break time since I had to contend with moths year round. Here in FL, with proper diligence for spraying outside and perhaps inside, and cleaning up food spills in dark places such as under the frig and under the sink, etc., you should be fine.

I think you'll truly enjoy it here -- southern hospitality is quite reminiscent of midwesterners' friendliness.

Wait 'til you encounter all the little lizards (anoles)! I have two that insist on coming into my house - one I've named Itchy, and the other is still nameless for the moment. They are truly fun to watch (and totally harmless). Unfortunately, my cats want to "play" with them; thus I'd rather the anoles stay outdoors. I may have found a natural deterent --- peppermint oil. I sprayed where they're sneaking in, and none have entered for two whole days (knock on wood).

[riveree]

Palmetto Bugs look like a NYC roach - they're roughly the size of a small cat and if you try to confront one, they'll stare you down (so you better give them that bowl of cereal in your hand if one asks for it ).

Okay, maybe they're not that big, but they can get pretty big!

They're disgusting, smelly, ugly things and I hope you'd never have to see one......but you will !

They love starch, so use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes for storage (mmmm......cellulose! ). Also, you might want to seal up your cereal, pasta, etc. in glass jars or something (always a good idea in Florida anyway).

Be sure the house is sealed up well. If there's a gap under the front door, they'll just waltz right in without even ringing the bell (on top of it all, they're rude !).

You can use a pest service, but remember, the roach has to cross the poison barrier in order to be affected by it, so you still may find roaches in the house, only they'll be dead/dying .

Brand new houses temd not to have them so much because 1) the land has been greatly disturbed, so everything generally runs off at first, 2) the intial new home pest treatment on the slabs is very strong and 3) the houses tend to be sealed up well enough so there are not as many entry opportunities. But eventually, as a new house and neighborhood ages, the Palmettos will find their way back .

Many older homes were treated with Chlordane which is awesome for pest control, but unfortunately it has a half-life of, oh, forever, so it's illegal now. Still, many houses in Jax that were built in the 40's, 50's, 60's and I think even into the 80's may have been treated with Chlordane, so consider it a bonus if you have it here .

Watch your landscaping too - Palmettos love moisture, so keep all landscaping back at least a foot from your home (this is good for the home anyway - you need the circulation in Florida's humidity ). Palmettos also love - no suprise here - Palms !

[David in JAX]

Yes, a Palmetto bug is a cockroach. It's just one on steroids.

American cockroach - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apartment complexes do spray for these on a monthly or bimonthly basis.

[JB77]

Thanks for the feedback, folks! Still a little wary of these lil (?) beasts, though it wouldn't appear that I have a choice but to simply accept them...shoot, it's really me encroaching on their land, seeing as I'm not a FL resident yet!

[littlelou]

even though I'm not a FL resident yet...I have something that "helps" keep them out. Here in Charlotte, we have the monsters too...probably not to the extent in FL, but they love the bark shavings the landscapers use around apartments here. At Wal-mart I found a "roach gel" can't remember the name of it, but its in a syringe and looks like pureed meat. I bought 2 packages and put it all around the front door, sliders and windows on the outside of the building. not in 2 years has one of the buggers gotten past it. the first year I was here - they loved to drop onto my back and slide right in the front door...now haven't seen any of them. will look the next time I'm at Wally world and get the name. As I have cats - indoors- I'm not going to use it inside...but I think its helped.

[1970pelle]

The only time I see them is after a big rain.Just keep you house clean.Seal up the holes where your water pipes and drains pass through the walls.Don't have plants upa gainst the house space them out at least 6 in. to a foot.

[joninclay]

I use a pest control service, and as a result, I almost never see roaches/palmetto bugs. And my house backs up to some woods, too!

BTW, I am not scared of wasps, bees, snakes, spiders, or scorpions...but a roach (especially a palmetto bug) will send me running every time! I'm a 6'1", 225 lb., tattooed and ear-pierced WUSS! :-D

[floridaexchange]

based on those pics, that palmetto roach is the standard size roach found in the Caribbean. We, in the Caribbean, actually also have jumbo roaches that are on crack about twice the size of the palmetto's. My wife, a Floridian, saw one when we were in the Caribbean and she nearly had a heart attack yelling and screaming " what the----is that!!!" it was about the size of the average person's hand hehehe but thank God they don't have wings.Anyways, I think the most annoying Florida roaches are those tiny ones, that don't grow bigger than a finger nail, they find themselves everywhere.

[artformervter]

I have small dark bugs about the size of sesamie seeds which also fly. I have lived here in St. CLoud, Fl for 3 years and this the first time I have seen any thing like this. Are there any vetern Floridians who can help me out?? They have a shell of some kind which pops the I sqaush them. Please help me????