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How to Kill Palmettos

Palmetto bugs, also referred to as American cockroaches, are a particularly large species of cockroach that live in warm, wet areas of the American South. Palmettos feed on many different types of organic material, from food to trash to sewage. They can grow up to 2 inches in length and have wings that allow them to fly. When eliminating palmettos from your home, it is important not only to kill them but also to stop them from coming back by eliminating access points and food sources.

Things You'll Need

caulk
bait traps
pesticide dust
cleaning supplies
pesticide spray

Instructions

- 1
  Seal off entrances to your home that may be allowing palmettos access. Look for any small cracks in your doors and windows, and seal them. Make sure your doors and windows have a tight seal when closed. Look for openings in electrical outlets and plumbing, especially if you live in an apartment building. Check your cupboards and other areas where you keep food.
- 2
  Remove all potential cockroach food sources from your home. This includes moist areas, trash and open sources of food. Clean your home and make sure that no food or drink spills remain. Palmetto bugs need moist areas in order to live, so be sure to especially target any plumbing leaks and sources of water.
- 3
  Set bait traps around areas where you have seen palmetto bugs. Palmettos are larger than other cockroaches, so be sure to purchase traps that have openings large enough for palmettos to enter.
- 4
  Place borax, silica dust or a similar pesticide dust around the perimeter of your rooms if you still see palmettos after setting bait traps. Pesticide dusts collect on palmettos as they walk through it and will poison the palmettos as they groom themselves.
- 5
  Spray any palmetto bugs you see with a pesticide spray, and consider hiring an exterminator if your infestation seems undaunted by both bait traps and pesticide dusts.

Animals & Science