Palmetto bugs, which are known in the United States as cockroaches or waterbugs, are bugs that can be found around many houses in many major cities. Most of these bugs can be found in Africa. This is where they are believed to have come from. However, they can be found in all parts of the world.
This is a type of bug that can be a bothersome pest. It can sneak into your home when it gets cold out. They can get into the house through your plumbing or air duct systems. They are annoying but they can be controlled with a few things.
Diatomaceous Earth can help
Diatomaceous Earth is a silica crystal compound. It can scratch the bodies of palmetto bugs. This will kill them quickly. You can easily place this in areas around your home where these bugs can be found.
Borax is useful
Disodium tetraborate, which is also known as Borax, is also great to use. This boric acid salt can be used on cracks and baseboards around the home. This is especially great for dark areas. You should avoid using it in areas that children and pets can go into though.
Getting rid of bug habitats will help
You should eliminate all palmetto bug habitats around your home. You can find these in areas like patio rugs, straw piles, wood crates, tall grass leaves and foliage areas.
You can eliminate these areas through a sweeping process. You can sweep an area with a broom or use a vacuum cleaner to remove them. Using Borax in this step will be especially helpful.
Sealing your home is useful
You should seal off all entry points to your home. This is so you can keep palmetto bugs out. A fine mesh screen or duct tape can be applied to holes where these bugs can enter through. Nail weatherstripping can be used to seal the bottom parts of your doors as well. Roof cracks and palm tree cracks should be sealed as well.
Starvation works too
It will help to keep your kitchen clean and to see that no food is left open. This is so you can starve the bugs. It is also good to keep your sinks dry. This is so the bugs will not be able to consume liquids.
Poisoning bugs is the last option
Poison baits can be used around the home. You can put a liquid and food trap near a wall or kitchen area. The trap can seal and kill off the bugs as they consume the food.
Be sure to use all of these ideas when it comes to killing off palmetto bugs. You can use these ideas to get rid of these annoying pests once and for all.