Palmetto bugs?

[Katie Dawn]

Okay, I know that I am absolutely, without a doubt standing in front of a bulls eye on this one...but here I go anyway.

I had been told that a "palmetto bug" was just a nice "southern bell" way of saying a cockroach. It's more genteel I suppose.

So,
1) is that true? Are they the same bug, or different?
2) If they are the same bug, then seriously they FLY???

I am a social worker and have seen my fair share of these critters but have never, ever seen them fly or even heard of them flying. This just doesn't add up to me.

Can't be true. Couldn't be.

Please tell me there was some leg pullin' going on here that I was too gullible to catch onto it.

Or tell me it's a different bug.

Of course, I've backed myself into a corner now. If it was a joke then I know that some of you are just going to lead me even farther astray. (And please have at it, I've given you plenty of opportunity) But please, would some honest soul out there give me the real info?

Okay, I'm ready, let the games begin!

 

[kc5grw]

Yes, they are cockroaches and yes they can fly.

 

[LegoMom3]

And they're not northern-sized cockroaches....That nice southern climate makes 'em grow BIG! We lived in NC for a while and had our fair share of them (yes, in the house...).

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Yep, they are the same thing as what you have there in Tennessee and what we have here in Alabama. They can fly but they seldom do, they prefer the dark cracks and crevices. They're just more abundant in Florida than they are in our area. Unless you live on a college campus (I won't mention the cockroach bashing parties) oops.

 

[Katie Dawn]

And they're not northern-sized cockroaches....That nice southern climate makes 'em grow BIG! We lived in NC for a while and had our fair share of them (yes, in the house...).

So we're talking about a different type of bug than the typical German cockroach I sometimes see in people's houses doing my job. I'm in Tennessee but we have a little less heat and humidity than coastal/more southern areas.

I've also heard that farther south they are almost impossible to get rid of and pretty much everyone has them, regardless of how clean everything is.

I'm just imagining telling my co-workers about flying roaches...they're gonna freak out!

 

[LegoMom3]

Yes, I seem to remember reading somewhere that they are a different bug than the German cockroaches. That variety is typically found in dirty conditions, whereas the southern Palmetto bug is just anywhere it wants to be. My parents had them in NC for years (they always had the house sprayed/treated, but you always get some) and they kept a "neat as a pin" house. So, you may see them in Florida but just know it's the climate and not because the house/hotel room/bath house or what have you is dirty!

 

[Rhonda]

They are definitely different than German cockroaches!! They are not dirty, and they can be anyplace, no matter how clean you are. They are the same as any other regular bug that comes in from outside. They like to live in Palmetto bushes (hence the name) and they don't like to come inside anymore than we like them inside! LOL!

When we moved down here to Florida (from Minnesota) I freaked out the first few times I saw them. But, now I'm used to them and they're really no different than seeing a grasshopper, or ladybug, or june bug.

Oh...and thankfully...I've never seen one fly!!

 

[Katie Dawn]

Yep, they are the same thing as what you have there in Tennessee and what we have here in Alabama. They can fly but they seldom do

EEK!

Okay, deep breaths, I can deal with this. I - have - coping - skills.

Denial. That's the ticket. I'll just go into denial.

Whew, that's better.



Okay, seriously though, thanks for telling me. I needed to know.
I'm fine.
Really.
I'm fine.

(I really am fine, but am liking the thought of telling my co-workers. Some of them are truly going to )

 

[Katie Dawn]

They are definitely different than German cockroaches!!

Well, now I just feel like my emotions are being played with. (just kidding!).

Okay, I definitely agree that the bugs around here are associated with unclean conditions (or someone may have them who is very clean but, for instance, is in apartment building where they have a strong hold.)

I will decide in my mind that they are different. Palmetto bug does have a nice ring to it doesn't it? Especially with a thick southern accent. I can think of it like a lady bug.

I'm still not completely convinced that the local critters here don't have that ability, as Tent Camping Mom suggested.

But I'm satisfied with the info you guys have given me. Thanks so much!

 

[LegoMom3]

.....I will decide in my mind that they are different. Palmetto bug does have a nice ring to it doesn't it? Especially with a thick southern accent. I can think of it like a lady bug......

ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, I'm sorry, this just struck my funny bone! I don't think I will ever, ever look at a Palmetto bug quite the same again (which is a GOOD thing, don'tcha think?!!)

DH knows how much time I spend on the DIS boards, but this is the first time I can say "Yeah, I'm in the middle of a hot Palmetto bug discussion!"

Oh I love this board...

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Just did a little research on the different species of cockroaches. The German cockroach appears to be the menace:
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/roaches/german.htm

Palmettos have been sighted as far north as New York but it's the German ones that are the nasty ones.

Here's the Palmetto or American Cockroach:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmetto_bug

 

[4daubers]

Note to self...make sure all outside containers are tightly closed at all times and shake everything before packing for home.

We usually place baking soda around our wheels and hose areas to keep ants out, which works well unless it rains. Wonder if it will keep the giant lady bugs away or attract them?

I don't remember the Palmettos our last trip but that was in 2002 during a 2 week monsoon. I do remember poison ivy though.

 

[Cndrsgrl]

Wow. This is like the learning channel. I've been reading the camping forum for several weeks now and I'm amazed at what I've learned. I had never heard of the Palmetto bug. I'll definitely pass this info to my other family members when we're at FW. Thanks for enlightening us.!

Ok. note to self. no peacocks, armadillos- yes, and shake everything out. got it.

 

[carolinacamper]

Keep in mind that while the German ones are the nasty ones they usually get into a clean house through shipping boxes. So don't let the boxes linger long in your home. I was told if you see just 1 adult you are probably ok, but babies mean trouble, and they are very difficult to eradicate.

Palmetto bugs like trees, and if you have trees touching your roofline they may enter your home. They usually try to come in around climate changes.

For fun, you ought to buy some fake ones to place around the office!
Yes, I am a little twisted.

 

[Gatordad]

I saw one eat a rockin chair once.

 

[homebrew2]

In 1973 when my wife and I were on our honeymoon, she wanted to eat a meal
in the castle at MK. We didn't have reservations....I'm not even sure they tookthem at the time. We were like number 20 on the list and I'm not much for waiting around, however we didn't have to because a Pallmetto Bug came to my rescue.

I haven't been back since, but as I recall you had to wait at ground level
and then the hostess would come down and get you to seat you upstairs.
Anyhoo we were way back in the line when Mr. PB showed up, the wife took
one look and let out a blood chilling shriek. Seizing the opportunity I pointed
at him and hollered Holy crap look at th size of that cockaroach , and
jumping up proceeded to stomp him flat....which kinda spread him around ,if
you know what I mean.

Well the upshot of this was when the hostess came back down, we were the
only ones left waiting and hence at the head of the line. Worked out just
fine.

 

[Cndrsgrl]

 

[CottontailCurl]

I'll definitely pass this info to my other family members when we're at FW. Thanks for enlightening us.! Ok. note to self. no peacocks, armadillos- yes, and shake everything out. got it.

Howdy Cndrsgrl!! Welcome to the FW forum!! I just wanted to tell you not to worry too much about bugs, Palmetto or German. We've camped at FW many times in our tent and I've never seen any. That doesn't mean that they aren't there, just that you don't have to worry about them getting into everything. We've had an armadillo at our campsite, a critter stole some pizza once (maybe a raccoon?), many many lizards, peacocks, check (although not a concern since many FW'ers have BBQ'd the poor buzzards). But not one Palmetto bug. Chiggers, yes, but that's a whole nother Oprah show (campfire singalong, lower section, far left of the metal benches, tall grasses underneath, my legs were so purty the next day).

But, I did have a friend who was driving through Houston Texas with the car windows down and one (BACR - she said it was a 4 inch cockroach) flew into the car. That's just too weird.

 

[CottontailCurl]

We were like number 20 on the list and I'm not much for waiting around, however we didn't have to because a Pallmetto Bug came to my rescue. I haven't been back since, but as I recall you had to wait at ground level

That was too funny, I didn't see that coming, I thought you were saved from having to wait because you left after seeing the 'cockaroach' (also funny btw). You have probably given some crazy Cindy's breakfast, can't get priority seating, daughter must have it, parents an idea!!

 

[Katie Dawn]

For fun, you ought to buy some fake ones to place around the office!

That would be fun. I could buy those huge Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Hssssssss.......

Carolinacamper, I completely agree with you that they often travel from place to place in boxes. A former co-worker of mine helped a nice older fellow (a client of hers) move and after unloading all of his boxes realized she had an infestation in her brand new, 1 month old CAR!!!!! That said, I can't help but advocate for my clients just a little here. Not an overwhelming percentage of the "social work" population deals with this (the German icky kind). In fact, a good portion of the folks that I met with that had problems have been in the situation I mentioned earlier...living in an apartment complex where there's bugs all around and the apartment complex doesn't do a good job getting rid of them. You always hate that, because they are doing a good job staying clean but it doesn't matter. Okay, I digress.

4daubers...it's official! These little creatures will no longer be called Palmetto Bugs. Their name has officially been changed to "Giant Lady Bugs." Much more politically correct don't'cha think?



Yes, this has been like the learning channel. I was just curious. We're such a smart group of folks.