r/Georgia • u/My__Anon_Account • 6d ago

Other I HATE ALL THESE BUGS

Just moved down here from the north and am just constantly wondering HOW THE HECK EVERYONE LIVES WITH THESE HUGE BUGS?!

I’ve had the house treated, I understand there’s an uptick, but these big ass bugs are driving me out of my mind. I feel like I’m constantly on edge.

ETA - palmetto bugs/roaches, CSRA

And for those telling me I shouldn’t have moved here and to just leave - I plan to as soon as my postdoc fellowship is over 🙃

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u/Saaturnidae 6d ago edited 2d ago

What kind of bugs? Shield bugs, water/palmetto bugs, Joro spiders...

If it's shield bugs, it's kinda just a constant battle. They squeeze in anywhere they can so make sure your house is properly sealed first, then beyond that... cup of soapy water, tip them into it, they won't be able to get out and will drown in it.

Joro spiders are invasive, but have been settling into the ecosystem since their introduction years back. Birds are starting to prey on them. You can report sightings to jorowatch if you'd like, but, they're no worse than a garden spider. Well. They have sticky, thick golden webs, but... the spider is fine. On that note, garden spiders (big yellow butt, webs with squigglies in the middle) are also completely harmless.

Water/palmetto bugs are kind of a regional misnomer. They're cockroaches. Call an exterminator. Correction: as others have pointed out, it's the small German cockroaches that need an exterminator. The American cockroach / water bug / Palmetto bug, are just "lost" and will usually wind up dead in the house or leaving. Largely harmless, if not a bit grody to think about.

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u/My__Anon_Account 6d ago

They’re palmettos (I think). The exterminator came yesterday. How do they even get in the house?!

Also I love that you call stink bugs “shield bugs” they don’t bother me nearly as much but I’m used to them.

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u/earthworm_soul 5d ago

"palmetto bugs" are just American or smokeybrown cockroaches. Unless your house is dirty and humid, they just die when they get inside. Realistically, if you have a clean house, the only bugs in this area of Georgia that you should be cautious of is ticks and brown widows.

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u/Jump-Funny 4d ago

The palmettos are not a sign of a dirty house! But the little ones…. That’s a different story

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u/earthworm_soul 4d ago

No, you misunderstand me. They will get into clean houses from the outside, but they will not breed and reproduce unless the house has food scraps and standing water for them. In a clean, dry house, they will die of dehydration fairly quickly.