Want to eliminate palmetto bugs from your NC home right now? Here are all the options

What is small, quiet, and freaks out any homeowner despite being the size of a paper clip?

A palmetto bug.

The creepy-crawly pests often appear out of nowhere upon opening a cabinet door or while trying to complete a DIY project in the garage.

You might have the urge to scream after seeing one or jump into full-on exterminator mode and attempt to eliminate the bug with the nearest shoe or broom.

How do palmetto bugs even get in your home in the first place? More importantly, how in the heck do you get rid of them?

Pest control experts say there are steps you can take to keep palmetto bugs out.

What are palmetto bugs?

“Palmetto bug” isn’t a scientific term. Instead, it’s a colloquial nickname for smoky brown and American cockroaches, primarily located in the South.

When temperatures drop, palmetto bugs are known to take shelter in houses. Once inside, these creatures can lay hundreds of eggs in kitchen cabinets, dresser drawers, and even clothing, Carolina Pest Management says.

How to get rid of palmetto bugs

Homeowners are first advised to seal any visible openings or cracks in doors or entryways, according to North Carolina-based Triangle Pest Control.

“To keep these pests out, keep all entryways closed. Be sure that your windows and doors fit tightly in frames. If you enjoy open windows, be sure to install screens,” the pest control agency states.

It is also suggested to eliminate the bugs’ “natural outdoor habitats” where they are most likely to congregate. Since palmetto bugs like to reside in moist, dark places, including tall grasses, removing these from around your home can keep them at bay, Triangle Pest Control says.

Carolina Pest Management explains that keeping your home as clean and debris-free as possible can reduce the likelihood that bugs will venture into your space.

You should also fix any leaking faucets or pipes in and around your home, Carolina Pest Management notes.

Many pest control experts also recommend using glue traps and bait stations to kill individual bugs and their nests. Contacting a pest control company should also be an option if there is a significant infestation.