What’s a ‘palmetto bug’? The Carolinas’ infamous creepy crawler, explained
You’re sitting in your home. It’s quiet, and you feel relaxed. At ease.
And then suddenly, you see it out of the corner of your eye. It’s gross and winged and terrifying, and you spit the name like a curse before letting out a scream that rivals the shower scene in “Psycho.”
It’s a palmetto bug.
But what exactly is a palmetto bug? Is it its own species, or is it just another Southern colloquialism designed to confuse those who haven’t sweated out years worth of Carolina summers?
Here’s what to know about palmetto bugs and how to keep them out of your house:
Are palmetto bugs the same as a cockroach?
The term “palmetto bug” is a regional name for some types of cockroaches, particularly popular in the Southeast U.S., per the pest control company Terminix.
Although the name is sometimes applied to “any moderate- to large-sized cockroaches and even beetles,” the pest control company Orkin notes, it most commonly refers to the American cockroach or the smokybrown cockroach.
“Adult American cockroaches are large and winged,” Orkin says. “Their coloration is dark brown with a cream-colored prothorax that has dark markings that resemble sunglasses.” Smokybrown cockroaches “are a dark mahogany color and winged as well,” the company notes, but “they lack the sunglasses markings on the prothorax and are slightly smaller.”
The exact origins of the moniker are unknown, but a common theory is that the name comes from the smokybrown cockroach’s tendency to hang in palmetto trees, Clemson University entomologist Eric Benson previously told The State.
Although the regionalism is common in the Carolinas, it “can lead to confusion and misidentification,” Orkin cautions.
“Since habits and control measures often are species-specific, it is best to consult a pest control professional who can properly identify the species and then select control measures,” the company says.
What about waterbugs?
Cockroaches are sometimes referred to as “waterbugs” in the South as well, Orkin notes, but that is a misnomer.
“The true water bug is an aquatic insect classified under the order Hemiptera,” the company says.
The oriental cockroach — a species native to Africa that’s “shiny and black or dark brown in color” — is “common example of an insect that is referred to as a waterbug” but is actually a roach.
How bad are palmetto bugs?
In addition to being a nuisance and grossing people out, palmetto bugs can also pose risks in the home, per the pest control company Ortho.
Roaches can “spread several harmful pathogens, including salmonella which can contaminate food,” the company says.
“As they walk across your counters and floors, they leave behind feces and sheddings that can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks in some people.”
The bugs “have also been known to bite people which can cause skin irritation,” according to Ortho.
How to get rid of prevent palmetto bugs in your home
There are steps you can take to keep palmetto bugs at bay, pest control experts say.
You should make sure to seal up “cracks and holes around your home’s foundation” and “any gaps around doors, windows, and attic vents,” Ortho recommends.
Trimming your trees can “prevent branches from becoming access points to your house” for bugs, Terminix notes.
Keeping your house clean can also go a long way towards keeping out roaches, both companies say. That includes cleaning up spilled food and drink and taking the trash out frequently.
You should also “make sure there are no leaking faucets or other sources of standing water” in or around your home, Terminix advises.
This story was originally published May 17, 2023 at 1:39 PM with the headline "What’s a ‘palmetto bug’? The Carolinas’ infamous creepy crawler, explained."
