Palmetto bugs are a much talked about and frustrating pest in Brevard County. Pest control services often have plenty of clients on the books fighting off these exasperating pests. If you’re not familiar with them, consider yourself lucky. A bit of knowledge, though, can go a long way toward prevention in this case.

What They Look Like

Usually dark brown or black in nature, they tend to have very short forewings and no hind wings. Adults are usually about 40 mm in length. Nymphs differ in color and size from the adults. They tend to be gray or brown, but as they grow, they take on a red tint. The egg cases are usually about half an inch in length, and each one has more than twenty eggs inside. You’ll usually notice indentations where each egg is.

What They Do
Both nymphs and adults alike tend to gravitate toward dark, moist areas. You’re most likely to find them in basements and crawl spaces or in the bathroom near the tub or the clothes hamper. Outside, you’ll find them under foliage in your lawn or in hollow trees. They also like palm trees.

They’ll eat almost anything. They prefer decaying organic matter, but book bindings, clothing, glossy paper, sweets, and proteins always prove highly attractive to them. They can survive up to two months without food. They last just a month without water.

What You Can Do

Palmetto bugs find their way into homes through a variety of portals. You can start by making sure you’re closing off access to your home. Make sure that your windows and doors fit tightly in their frames. You shouldn’t be able to see any cracks or spaces. If you find any holes around the foundation of your home or cracks in the siding, you’ll want to seal those, too. Keep in mind that the spaces around utility pipes all count as places these bugs can get in.

Outside, there are a few things you can do, too. Palmetto bugs tend to love foliage, so make sure you keep things well trimmed. Don’t pile up lawn waste or leaf litter. If you must, keep it well away from your home.

If you think you have a problem with palmetto bugs, contact a Brevard County pest control immediately for real help fast.