So, how to get rid of water bugs? It’s normal to feel helpless when confronted with a water bug infestation. These bugs may cause chaos not just in your home but also in your mental health. It’s time to reclaim your property! In this post, we’ll show you how to get rid of water bugs.
Read further to know more!
What Causes Water Bugs in Your House?
Water bugs can infiltrate your homes in several ways:
- Through food packages
- Through clothes brought from the laundromat
- Through open spaces under your door
- Through scaled water pipes
Large colonies of oriental cockroaches can be found in and around garbage chutes and dark, damp spots where they may hide and obtain moisture, particularly in a crawlspace or basement with a leakages.
What Do Water Bugs Look Like?
Water bugs have antennae, a spherical or moth body, and a head. They look like cockroaches but do not belong to the roach family.
Mature water bugs are around 2 inches long, while cockroaches are 1 to 1.5 inches long. Water bugs love the hot, humid climates and spend most of their life in the water.
Are Water Bugs and Roaches the Same Thing?
No, water bugs and roaches aren’t the same insects. Here are some key points to differentiate them:
Water bugs:
- Usually seen outdoors
- Slow-moving areas of water are ideal habitats for them.
- Colors range from tan to brown.
Roaches:
- More typically seen inside.
- If you live in a wet environment,
- Dark brown in color.
How to Get Rid of Water Bugs in the House?
Take Care of Sanitation Issues
Garbage, drain scum, and other filthy objects are the primary food sources for water bugs (also known as palmetto bugs).
Therefore, consider clearing out garbage chutes, scouring drains, and even raking leaves from around the building to keep water bugs away.
Repair Leaks As Soon As Possible
Given their moniker, “water bug,” it’s no surprise that this creepy crawlies prefer to be near water. Therefore, to keep them away, ensure these creatures don’t have access to water.
Water bugs assemble in massive quantities in cellars or basements where water accumulates, so fix leaks and damp areas as quickly as feasible to reduce the chance of water bug infestation in your home.
Seal Them Up
People observe water bugs in wall gaps and vacant spots around decks. If you find them, take the time to use caulk to block off any sites they have access to. This will help to reduce the likelihood of their entering your neighborhood.
Treat Infested Areas with Chemicals
There is a range of chemical treatments available when it comes to water bugs. Many homeowners can try chemical control on their own if required, starting with a water bug bait. Baits, when used appropriately, may be pretty efficient in killing water bugs.
If you have a severe bug problem in your house and don’t think baiting will solve it, hiring a professional pest control company is time. Make sure you use a pest control professional from a licensed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) business.
How to Get Rid of Giant Water Bugs Through Home Remedy?
Here are some effective natural remedies to get rid of waterbugs:
Vinegar sprays: These have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Squirt it straight on the cockroach or the breeding regions. It will create an unwelcoming atmosphere for them. It will kill bugs in a matter of hours.
Hot water: If you know where they are, you can use hot water to wash them down. Fill a pan halfway with water and pour it over their nest. Water bugs cannot withstand high temperatures, and their outer shells fracture, causing them to die. Repeat the process two times a day
Baking Soda + Powdered Sugar and boric acid: It is an effective cure for getting rid of water bugs. It’s straightforward but effective. First, combine equal parts of each component in a mixing bowl. Then, sprinkle it in locations where cockroaches are most likely to be found, such as their nest. Repeat this process twice a day.
Liquid detergent: An antibacterial liquid detergent is the best option. On these water bugs, it works like a charm. It’s simple to use and effective. Simply dissolve it in water and pour or spray it on cockroaches and their nests. This will sterilize the area, and the cockroaches will leave the liquid on them, causing the outer shell to fall off.
Cockroach traps are useful if you’ve spotted a particular region where cockroaches or water bugs congregate. You may also use a cockroach trap if there is an area that is infested with cockroaches. It is completely hassle-free. The cockroaches are attracted to the trap because it contains a strong toxin. Within hours, it deteriorates and it will kill water bugs.
How to Get Rid of Water Bugs in the Pool?
Standing water attracts water bugs and other aquatic insects, and your swimming pool is the perfect place for them to live. Safeguard it by using an algaecide in your pools to keep algae from growing, which is a favorite diet of pool water bugs.
It’s a simple reality of nature that if water bugs don’t have the stuff to eat, they’ll seek to find food somewhere else. Keeping your pool clean and gleaming ensures that it is safe for your family to swim and eliminates a significant water insect attraction source.
How to Get Rid of Water Bugs From Your Garbage?
Water bugs have a food supply in your exterior garbage cans since they provide breeding habitats for the insects they devour. The simplest and most straightforward step is to get tight-fitting trash can lids.
The second step is to spray a pesticide or bug spray around and on the garbage cans, especially the lid and rim. It won’t affect people after it’s dried, but it will kill insects that attempt to go into the garbage.
Final Words
Despite popular belief, water bugs and cockroaches are not the same species. Therefore, although we don’t regard water bugs as a severe threat to human health or hygiene, it is frequently advisable to act and control them before it becomes a professional responsibility.
They’re mostly just unattractive and unpleasant to look at. The good news is that getting rid of water bugs relatively are simple. You may get rid of a giant water bug and keep them from becoming a nuisance with a little effort to eliminate its water and food infestation as some little treatment using other ways.
