Cockroach Control in Lake Como, FL

Updated September 2026

Cockroach Control in Lake Como

Lake Como is a tiny unincorporated community in southern Putnam County, along U.S. 17 between Crescent City and Pomona Park, on the shore of the small lake it is named for. It began in the 1880s as a winter resort and citrus settlement and is now a quiet cluster of older homes, manufactured homes and wooded lots, surrounded by lakes, pine and oak woods and the St. Johns River basin to the west.

Southern Putnam County is lake country, with Crescent Lake, Lake Stella and dozens of smaller lakes nearby. Winters bring frosts and occasional freezes, and summers are hot and stormy. Palmetto bugs, smokybrowns and woods roaches are the most common calls.

The Cockroaches Lake Como Residents Report Most

Notes by Type of Property

A Winter Resort Past

Like many towns along the St. Johns in the 1880s, Lake Como drew northern visitors to its lakes and orange groves in winter. The resort era faded after the great freezes of 1894 and 1895 killed the groves. A few older homes remain from those years, with wood frames and crawlspaces. Settled piers and gaps around old plumbing let roaches in; screening vents and sealing floor penetrations help.

Lake Country

Lake Como, Lake Stella, Crescent Lake and other lakes surround the community. Lakefront homes see higher humidity and more palmetto bugs near docks and shorelines. Storing gear dry and sealing lake-facing doors help.

• Docks and boathouses
• Stored fishing gear
• Marshy shorelines
• Unsealed lake-side doors

The St. Johns River Basin

West of Lake Como, the land drops toward the St. Johns River and its wide marshes and swamps. Homes on that side see more humidity and outdoor roaches, particularly after long rainy spells when water tables rise; keeping crawlspaces ventilated and directing gutter water away from the house help.

The Great Freezes

The freezes of the winter of 1894-95 destroyed the citrus groves that supported Lake Como and much of North Florida, pushing the industry south. Old grove land has since grown into woods and pasture, which now shelter the outdoor roaches that wander into homes.

A Year of Cockroach Activity in Lake Como

Everyday Factors in Lake Como

A Lakeside Community

Shoreline lots hold steady moisture, and docks give outdoor species sheltered spots near the house.

Heavy Woods and Leaf Litter

Oak and pine cover keeps damp litter against many foundations here.

Small and Spread Out

Homes sit scattered along a few roads, so confirming your road helps route the right technician.

Oaks and Smokybrowns

Big oaks shade many homes. Smokybrowns live in the canopy and fly to roofs and lights; trimming limbs, cleaning gutters and screening vents help.

Frosts and Freezes

Putnam County gets frosts most winters and occasional hard freezes. Outdoor roaches move into crawlspaces, walls and sheds on cold nights; sealing gaps in fall helps.

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes are common. Skirting gaps and damp ground underneath shelter roaches; repairing skirting helps.

Fern and Farm Country

Southern Putnam and nearby Volusia counties grow ferns and foliage under shade cloth. Irrigated shade houses shelter palmetto bugs and Australian cockroaches; homes nearby benefit from sealed foundations.

Wells and Septic

Homes rely on wells and septic. Pump houses stay damp; checking them helps.

After Tropical Storms

Hurricanes Irma in 2017 and Ian in 2022 brought flooding and downed trees to Putnam County. Debris and wet ground push roaches toward homes; prompt cleanup helps.

Along U.S. 17

U.S. 17 carries traffic between Palatka and DeLand. Small businesses along it benefit from regular checks.

Shopping in Palatka and Crescent City

Residents shop in Crescent City, Palatka and DeLand. Boxes and groceries can carry German cockroaches; unpacking outside helps.

Firewood and Woodpiles

Woodpiles shelter woods roaches; store firewood away from walls.

Sheds and Carports

Sheds and carports collect tarps and cardboard. Storing items on shelves helps.

Pets and Outdoor Feeding

Pet food and chicken feed left out overnight draw palmetto bugs; storing them sealed helps.

Leaf Litter

Oak leaves and pine straw build up fast. Raking them back from foundations reduces shelter.

Living in Rural Putnam County

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

Churches and Community Meals

Churches in the area host suppers and events. Kitchens used occasionally benefit from periodic checks and prompt cleanup.

Prevention Steps That Fit Lake Como

• Store lake gear dry and off the ground.
• Trim oak limbs off roofs.
• Screen crawlspace vents before winter.
• Repair manufactured home skirting.
• Check pump houses for leaks.
• Rake leaves back from walls.
• Store firewood away from walls.

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 Putnam County, and pricing is discussed directly before any work begins.

Crescent Lake and the Dunns Creek Area

Crescent Lake, a long, shallow lake just east of Lake Como, drains north through Dunns Creek to the St. Johns River. Its cypress-lined shores and fish camps support large numbers of palmetto bugs, and homes on the east side of the community see more of them wandering in after rain. Dunns Creek State Park protects much of that shoreline. Keeping crawlspaces dry, sealing doors and using yellow outdoor lights help homes near the water.

A Very Small Community

Lake Como has no town government and only a handful of streets, so neighbors often share property lines with woods, groves and vacant lots. Brushy lots next door shelter woods roaches and palmetto bugs; keeping your own yard clear and a mowed strip along shared edges makes the biggest difference.

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