Eurycotis floridana or the Florida woods cockroach, or as the locals call it — the Palmetto bug — is actually not a bug at all, it is a cockroach. True bugs are known to entomologist as hemipterans whereas cockroach belongs in the order Blattodea ( Bla toad E a.)
Is it a Palmetto Bug or an American Cockroach?
People find cockroaches one of the most disgusting insects, and with good reason. They feed on dead thing, especially plant matter. However, the Florida woods cockroach has a love of damp, wet places. If you see them around your home, they may be a good indicator of water damage, especially if you find them inside your home.
While slow-moving in comparison to other cockroaches, and Florida has its fair share of cockroach infestations, the Palmetto bug is the stinker cockroach. Sadly, every cockroach looking insect in Florida is often referred to as a Palmetto bug. If you see a cockroach looking bug in your home call a Palmetto Bug Control expert.
As a general rule, the Palmetto bug prefers likes the outdoors and is often found in the dank undergrowth of shrubs. It is especially fond of palm trees. As such, if you see a cockroach looking insect in your home, it is probably the American Cockroach, which is very fast and fond of the dark.
In comparison to the Palmetto bug, the American Cockroach is usually larger and lighter in color. If you happen to squish an American Cockroach they do not stink as bad as the Palmetto bug. Since cockroach feed on dead things, they can carry diseases such as gastroenteritis and dysentery.
Palmetto Bug Control and Cockroach Infestations
The best way to get rid of these creepy crawlies is to use a professional exterminator skilled with palmetto bug control. The cockroach is adept at hiding in places where household sprays cannot reach. While the “roach motel” and other traps work to catch a few of the beasts, they do not work well enough to wipe out an infestation. An expert exterminator has the tools and knowledge to rid your home of the cockroach infestation. For more information, contact us for a free estimate.
