Pest blog
Palmetto bugs vs. German roaches: why it matters which one you have
The big one on the patio and the small one in the kitchen need different treatments.
Palmetto bugs vs. German roaches: why it matters which one you have
In Florida "palmetto bug" usually means a big roach: most often the American cockroach, sometimes the smokybrown or the Florida woods roach. They live outside, in mulch, palms and drains, and wander in. The German cockroach is a different story.
How to tell them apart
| Palmetto bug | German roach | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Big, up to 2 inches | Small, about half an inch |
| Color | Reddish brown | Tan with two dark stripes |
| Lives | Outside, comes in | Inside: kitchens and bathrooms |
| Seen | One at a time, at night | Many, even in the day |
Why it matters
Palmetto bugs are stopped at the outside: a barrier around the foundation, sealed gaps at doors and pipes, and treated drains. German roaches breed fast inside, so they need baits placed in the cracks where they hide, and follow-up visits until they are gone.
What you can do today
- Keep mulch a few inches back from the walls.
- Fix dripping taps; roaches need water more than food.
- Put a stopper in drains that are not used often.
- Seeing small roaches in the day? Call. That is a German roach problem and it grows quickly.
