Have you ever had someone correct you and say, “we don’t have roaches at our house, although there are some palmetto bugs that come in from outside.” So what is a Palmetto Bug and is it the same as a cockroach? Let’s look at some details in order to get that answer.
Palmetto Bug
This is a term that is very general and is commonly used to refer to a number of different species of cockroaches and even some beetles depending where you live. You might even hear someone call them “waterbugs” or a “Croton bug.” When you start using multiple names to identify the same bug it can lead to confusion and misidentification. For instance, any medium- to large-sized cockroaches and even beetles are often called by these names. Since bug habits and control measures often are species-specific, it is best to consult a pest control professional. This way they can properly identify the species and then select control measures.
Cockroach
The cockroach species most commonly referred to as a “palmetto bug” is actually the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). These cockroaches when mature are large and winged. They are usually dark brown with a cream-colored prothorax which has dark markings resembling sunglasses. These American cockroaches prefer damp conditions. As a result, they are often found in sewers, mulch and the in the branches of old palm branches. For some reason they are attracted to lights and will fly right toward them especially in the evening. This can be particularly annoying for homeowners. This usually happens when a large cockroach flies near their face when entering doors with porch lights nearby in the evening.