Do palmetto bugs become more active when it rains?

Yes, they are seeking dry shelter to prevent themselves from drowning and unfortunately it will most likely be in your home.

The phrase "palmetto bug" refers to several large species of cockroach. In Florida, this means the American cockroach or the Florida woods cockroach. These are both large insects. American cockroaches are an inch and a half or more long and can fly. Florida woods cockroaches can't fly, but are even bigger, measuring two inches or more.

You might sometimes see these large bugs in your home, and you might also have heard they become more active when it rains. Is this true?

The answer is yes. If you think you see them more during heavy rain, you're right. You are much more likely to see palmetto bugs in your home during or after a heavy rain than when it is dry, especially if it's also at night (palmetto bugs are nocturnal). They are hard to miss given their size and dark color.

However, this is not because these bugs have become more active. They're around all the time. However, most of the time, they are not in your home. Most of the time these large insects live in the sewers and drains, and generally don't bother anyone, although they are disturbing to look at.

Why Do You See Palmetto Bugs After a Heavy Rain?

The answer is pretty simple. Most of the time, these bugs are outside or in a sewer or drain. When it rains it becomes unpleasant outdoors for roaches as much as it does for us. The sewers and drains also fill with water. They also like woodpiles, which can get very damp during a storm.

This means that the palmetto bugs are looking for somewhere dry to go. Guess what that ends up being! That's right, your house. Just like humans, they don't want to stay outside during a rainstorm. In fact, cockroaches that stay in their sewer and drain homes often drown. Your house is dry higher ground and they will crawl up your pipes and exit into your home any place they can find a gap. Once inside, they will tend to choose dark areas that are snug, warm, and moist, reminding them of the sewers. This is why you see them more in the kitchen and bathroom. American roaches can be particularly disturbing because unlike some roach species they can fly.

Do They Stick Around?

Generally, no. Palmetto bugs prefer to live outside and in drains. Your home is a great place to hide from the rain, but it's not really their normal preferred habitat. However, smaller German cockroaches, if they find their way into your home, may well take up residence. They typically forage at night, so you might not realize you have an infestation right away. Palmetto bugs will typically leave your home and go back to the sewers or outside once things have dried out. This might appear as if they have disappeared but, in fact, they're still around, just outdoors.

And you probably don't want even periodic visits from palmetto bugs, which will leave their waste in your home and potentially infect you or your pets, or get into your food. A roach infestation can also grow very quickly.

How to Keep Palmetto Bugs Out?

You can keep palmetto bugs out by cleaning drains and adding drain screens. Also store food in air-tight containers, empty your trash cans regularly, and keep your sink drain clean.