Pest guide · Florida
Palmetto Bugs and Cockroaches in Florida
Yes, palmetto bugs are cockroaches. The name is used for large outdoor cockroaches, including the native Florida woods cockroach, which UF/IFAS has recorded in Clay County. They breed outside, in places like pine straw mulch, and do poorly indoors. Pull mulch back, fix leaks and seal gaps. Honeywell’s Pest Control treats cockroaches around Middleburg: (904) 415-1083.
Identify
Florida cockroaches and how to tell them apart
UF/IFAS lists the Florida woods roach, American, smokybrown, brown, Australian, German and Asian cockroaches as the species most often found in and around Florida homes.
Florida woods cockroach
A native cockroach often called a palmetto bug. UF/IFAS has county records of it from Clay, as well as Alachua, Duval, Putnam and other Florida counties.
American cockroach
Found in buildings across Florida, and especially common in commercial buildings. It moves into homes from sewers through the plumbing, and from trees and shrubs beside the building or branches over the roof.
German cockroach
Lives indoors, mostly in kitchens and bathrooms, and breeds heavily in cardboard boxes. An infestation can start with infested grocery bags carried into the home.
Smokybrown and Asian cockroaches
The smokybrown is common outdoors in tree holes, woodpiles, attics and other dark, warm, damp places. The Asian cockroach looks like a German cockroach but lives outdoors and flies to porch and building lights, which is how it gets inside.
Habits
Where cockroaches live and how they get in
The German cockroach lives indoors. The other common species tend to breed in garages, sewers, attics and storerooms and wander in from outside.
- Large outdoor cockroaches breed heavily in pine straw mulch and poorly in gravel or bare soil.
- Water matters most to cockroach survival, and roaches often move indoors during dry spells looking for moisture.
- Heavy rain and flooding also drive cockroaches indoors looking for shelter, a UF/IFAS urban entomologist says.
- Adult cockroaches can squeeze into gaps about 1/16 inch wide and prefer spaces around 3/8 inch.
- Asian cockroaches fly to lit porches and windows, and homeowners often notice them after putting fresh mulch in spring flower beds.
Prevention
How to keep cockroaches out
UF/IFAS advice for Florida homes, aimed at the water, shelter and gaps cockroaches rely on.
- Pull pine straw mulch back from the house. Outdoor roaches breed heavily in it and poorly in gravel or bare soil.
- Fix leaks and standing water, since moisture is what cockroaches need most.
- Seal cracks and crevices. Adults fit through gaps about 1/16 inch wide.
- Watch grocery bags and cardboard boxes coming into the house, which UF/IFAS links to German cockroach infestations.
- If you put out cockroach baits, don’t spray liquid insecticide near them. The spray drives roaches away from the bait.
Florida facts
Florida cockroach facts from UF/IFAS
- UF/IFAS has county records of the Florida woods cockroach, often called a palmetto bug, from Clay County.
- Outdoor cockroaches don’t survive well indoors, and UF/IFAS says people often overreact when one wanders in.
- German cockroaches live indoors, mostly in kitchens and bathrooms, and often arrive in grocery bags.
- UF/IFAS recommends baits because they work, are applied in a targeted way and cut unnecessary pesticide exposure.
Sources: UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and their management (IG082) · UF/IFAS: Florida woods cockroach (IN915) · UF/IFAS: American cockroach (IN298) · UF/IFAS: Smokybrown cockroach (Cockroach Photographs) · UF/IFAS: Asian cockroach (Cockroach Photographs) · UF/IFAS News: Pest tips for hurricane season
Get help
Cockroaches in the kitchen or garage?
Honeywell’s Pest Control treats cockroaches as part of general pest control for homes and businesses within 40 miles of Middleburg, starting with a free estimate.
Home pest control
Ants, spiders, cockroaches, fleas and other insects, one time or on a quarterly schedule.
FAQ
Cockroach questions from Florida homeowners
Does one palmetto bug in the house mean an infestation?
Not usually. UF/IFAS says large outdoor cockroaches don’t survive well indoors, and removing the occasional one that wanders in is often all that is needed. Cockroaches living in the kitchen or bathroom are a different story, since that is where German cockroaches settle. If you see them often, call Honeywell’s Pest Control at (904) 415-1083.
Why do cockroaches come inside during dry weather?
Water matters most to cockroach survival, and UF/IFAS says roaches often move indoors during dry spells looking for moisture. Heavy rain and flooding can drive them in too, looking for shelter. Fixing leaks, drips and standing water takes away what they come for. For cockroaches that keep showing up, call Honeywell’s Pest Control at (904) 415-1083.
How do German cockroaches get into a home?
UF/IFAS says a German cockroach infestation can start when infested grocery bags are carried inside, and these roaches breed heavily in cardboard boxes. Once in, they settle mostly in kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike palmetto bugs, which do poorly indoors, German cockroaches live inside the home. For help, call Honeywell’s Pest Control at (904) 415-1083.
Do cockroaches breed in mulch?
Large outdoor ones do, in pine straw. UF/IFAS says they breed heavily in pine straw mulch and poorly in gravel or bare soil, and it recommends pulling mulch back from the house. Asian cockroaches are often noticed after fresh mulch goes down in spring flower beds. For help with cockroaches, call Honeywell’s Pest Control at (904) 415-1083.
Are American cockroaches common in businesses?
Yes. UF/IFAS says the American cockroach occurs in buildings throughout Florida, especially commercial buildings, and moves in from sewers through the plumbing and from trees and shrubs beside the building. Honeywell’s Pest Control treats cockroaches for businesses as well as homes around Middleburg. Call (904) 415-1083, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Reviews
What customers say
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Randi H. Google review · 2023
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