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Aster's avatar

Have you been attacked by palmetto bugs in Savannah?

Asked by Aster (20023points) May 2nd, 2013

My daughter is in Savannah now so I looked on youtube and the guy said palmetto bugs fly out of trees right into people. Had that experience or heard of it?

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14 Answers

bkcunningham's avatar

Palmetta bugs are cockroaches. BIG cockroaches. I’ve never heard of them flying out of trees.

livelaughlove21's avatar

I live in South Carolina, and we have them as well. In fact, you’ll find them in any southeastern state. Here we either call them palmetto bugs or waterbugs.

I’ve never had one fly out of a tree at me, but they can get in your house or crawl over your foot as you stand outside at night. Not a pleasant experience if you hate bugs, as I do. They are more numerous when it’s particularly wet out. They aren’t the type of roaches you get when you live in a gross apartment – you can’t get a palmetto bug infestation. They live outside and get inside by accident or in search of water. But they look like huge roaches with wings and they’re fast.

The further south you go, the bigger they get.

bookish1's avatar

Fact of life growing up in South Florida.
I had one land on my face once. Harrowing.

bkcunningham's avatar

They are roaches, @livelaughlove21. Nasty, horrible, gross dirty roaches.

livelaughlove21's avatar

@bkcunningham I know they are roaches, but they aren’t the German cockroaches people think of when they hear the word “roach.” They don’t infest your home, they don’t eat your food, and seeing one in your house doesn’t mean hundreds more will follow. They’re gross, but they aren’t the same as German roaches.

Aster's avatar

And old friend told me years ago that in her home state of Mississippi the roaches were as big as small birds. I couldn’t take it. Im too fragile about some things, anyway . I’d have to move.

bkcunningham's avatar

They are roaches. Nasty, horrible, GIANT, dirty, hairy, filthy, scary roaches.

Aster's avatar

HAIRY ??

bkcunningham's avatar

Yes, WARNING. May cause nightmares.

glacial's avatar

Tell it like it is, @bkcunningham! I’ve seen them fly out of trees in New Mexico. Still gives me the shivers.

Aster's avatar

Phooey; that was a little one. Much bigger in Texas! lol

augustlan's avatar

Not in Savannah, but yes in Florida and in Myrtle Beach. Horrid freaking things.

rooeytoo's avatar

In the NT of Australia, they are just called plain old roaches. They are huge and yes they fly and I swear they know if you are afraid and pick you out of a crowd to fly at! One night a particularly large one chased me and my dogs around the house! Here is a pic of one!.

bkcunningham's avatar

That thing is gigantic. LOL

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