Cockroach Control in Moore Haven, FL

Updated September 2026

Cockroach Control in Moore Haven

Moore Haven is the county seat of Glades County, on the western shore of Lake Okeechobee where the Caloosahatchee River and the Okeechobee Waterway begin, along U.S. 27. Founded in 1915 by James A. Moore, it was devastated by hurricanes in 1926 and 1928, when the lake overflowed and killed hundreds, which led to the construction of the Herbert Hoover Dike. Today it is a small, quiet town of older homes, manufactured homes and fish camps surrounded by sugarcane, cattle ranches and the lake.

Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee, canals, marsh and prairie keep humidity high, with hot, stormy summers and rare frosts. Palmetto bugs, German cockroaches and woods roaches are the most common calls, with Australian cockroaches in landscaping.

The Cockroaches Moore Haven Residents Report Most

Notes by Type of Property

Lake Okeechobee

Moore Haven sits at the southwest corner of Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in the Southeast, behind the Herbert Hoover Dike. The lake's rim canal, marshes and boat ramps support heavy palmetto bug populations. Fish camps and homes near the dike and canals see more roaches, especially after heavy rain. Storing gear dry, keeping bait areas clean and sealing doors help.

• Rim canal and boat ramps
• Stored fishing gear
• Bait coolers
• Marsh edges

The Herbert Hoover Dike

After the 1926 and 1928 hurricanes flooded Moore Haven and other lakeside towns, the federal government built the Herbert Hoover Dike around the lake. The dike protects the town but also holds back water that keeps nearby ground damp and canals full.

A Year of Cockroach Activity in Moore Haven

Local Details Worth Knowing in Moore Haven

On the Okeechobee Rim

The lake, the dike and the lock keep water and humidity constant along the town's edge.

Sugarcane and Ranch Land

Cane fields and pasture surround the town, so activity often comes in from the field line.

A Small County Seat

Older county buildings and modest homes sit within a few blocks of each other here.

The Caloosahatchee Begins

The Caloosahatchee River and the Okeechobee Waterway start at Moore Haven's lock. Homes along the river see more humidity and palmetto bugs.

Sugarcane and Cattle

Sugarcane fields and cattle ranches surround town. Cane burning and harvest can push roaches toward homes, and barns attract palmetto bugs; sealed bins and a clear perimeter help.

Older Homes

Some homes date to the town's early days, with raised floors and older plumbing. Screening vents and sealing floor penetrations help.

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes are common. Skirting gaps shelter roaches; repairing skirting helps.

RV Parks and Snowbirds

RV parks fill with anglers and snowbirds in winter. Stored RVs and shared facilities can shelter German cockroaches; checking RVs helps.

Rentals

Rentals see turnover that can bring German cockroaches; inspecting before move-in helps.

After Hurricanes

Hurricane Irma in 2017 brought wind and flooding to Glades County. Debris and wet ground push roaches toward homes.

Mild Winters

Moore Haven rarely frosts, so roaches stay active most of the year.

Water and Septic

Some homes use wells and septic. Pump houses stay damp; checking them helps.

Palmetto Prairie

Saw palmetto and cabbage palm cover open land. Woods roaches live in the litter; trimming palmettos back helps.

Shopping in LaBelle and Clewiston

Residents shop in LaBelle, Clewiston and Okeechobee. Boxes can carry German cockroaches; unpacking outside helps.

Pets and Livestock Feed

Pet food and feed left out overnight draw palmetto bugs; sealed bins help.

Moving to Moore Haven

Newcomers are often surprised by palmetto bugs near the lake. Most are outdoor roaches wandering in; sealing handles most of it.

Churches and Community Events

Churches and community groups host suppers. Kitchens used occasionally benefit from periodic checks.

The Glades County Courthouse

The 1928 Glades County Courthouse anchors the small downtown. Older buildings nearby share walls and aging plumbing; sealing gaps helps.

Prevention Steps That Fit Moore Haven

• Store fishing gear dry and keep bait areas clean.
• Repair manufactured home skirting.
• Check RVs before and after storage.
• Store feed in sealed bins.
• Trim palmettos back from walls.
• Inspect rentals before move-in.
• Clean up promptly after storms.

Which Roach Is It?

Reasonable First Steps

Check under sinks and behind appliances after dark, look in garages, sheds and utility areas, note what you see and where, and take a photo with a coin for scale. That tells a specialist whether you're dealing with an indoor German cockroach problem or outdoor species wandering in.

What to Expect When You Call

Tell us your neighborhood or road, what type of home you have and where you've been seeing roaches. We'll connect you with an independent specialist who covers Glades County, and pricing is discussed directly before any work begins.

The 1926 and 1928 Hurricanes

In September 1926, a major hurricane drove Lake Okeechobee's water over a low mud dike and into Moore Haven, killing hundreds of residents and destroying much of the town. Two years later, the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane caused even greater loss around the lake. Those disasters shaped the town that stands today: most buildings date from after the late 1920s, and the dike looms over the lakeside. Because floodwater can still collect behind the dike after heavy rain, homes in low spots benefit from good drainage, raised storage and sealed foundations.

The Lock and the Waterway

The Moore Haven Lock connects Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee, and boats pass through on the Okeechobee Waterway between the Atlantic and the Gulf. Marinas, boat ramps and the city docks draw cruisers and anglers. Bait, trash and damp gear around these areas draw palmetto bugs; keeping bait stations clean and trash sealed helps homes nearby.

A Small County Seat

Glades County has only about 12,000 residents, and Moore Haven is its largest town. Homes are spread out between the lake, river and ranch land, and most properties border open country. A mowed buffer, tidy outbuildings and sealed foundations are the most effective protections.

Start here

Which One Did You See?

Small and indoors: German cockroach

• About half an inch, tan to light brown
• Found in kitchens and bathrooms

Large and mostly outdoors: palmetto bug

• 1 to 1.5 inches, reddish-brown
• Also called the American cockroach

Full identification guide →

Related Services

Nearby Communities

Frequently Asked Questions