How To Get Rid Of Waterbugs?

Although water bugs do not cause any threat in terms of diseases, it is not a great idea to have them around in the house. If you are dealing with bug infestation and looking for some effective solution to how to get rid of waterbugs, you have come to the right place.

Read this post to know everything about water bugs and how to kill waterbugs in the house.

Signs Of WaterBug Infestation

When it comes to the effective elimination of pest infestation, the earlier you start, the better. Being familiar with common water bug infestation signs will help you identify the problem at early stages and allow you to get rid of waterbugs before the problem increases. 

Below we have shared some common signs of water bug infestation to identify them and eliminate them during the early stages. 

Waterbugs In House

• Humidity- water bugs generally prefer to stay outdoors; however, improper ventilation results in dampness and humidity, which appeals to them.
• Droppings- water bugs leave behind egg cases and dropping in the place where they live. Discarded shells and black pellets are a clear sign of water bugs nearby. 
• Leaky Pipes- as water bugs prefer moist and damp climates, they prefer to dwell in standing water areas. If you haven’t repaired your leaky pipe, then you will most likely find bugs having a party there. 

Water Bug In Pool

Water enjoys dwelling in still water conditions, and the pool makes the best breeding site. If there are water bugs in your pool, the chances are that there are algae in water fixtures. Water Bugs eat algae and like to hang around if they fill their stomachs.

Look for any area with algae in the pool and little eggs floating around; this is a sign you need to deep clean your pool.

Read More- Best Mosquito Trap To Use Indoor and Outdoor

How To Kill Waterbugs?

There are various ways to kill waterbugs in the house. However, if you think they are in large numbers, the problem will become a little trickier to eradicate. In such scenarios, it is always best to hire a pest cleaning team.

Check out some of the ways to kill waterbugs by yourself at home:

Boric Acid

Boric acid is one of the best pest control products that can kill waterbugs. It is available in powder form and can be sprinkled around the areas where you notice high water bug activity. When these bugs ingest boric acid, the chemical poisons them as soon as it reaches the digestive system. 

Synthetic Pesticides

Another great water bug killer is synthetic pesticides. These are available in powder as well as spray form and contain potent insecticide chemicals. 

Water Bug Spray

Using insecticide sprays is the most common treatment used to kill pests. You spray the chemicals directly into the nest of waterbugs, and when it is ingested, it damages the neurotransmitters. The bugs die shortly after exposure to chemicals. 

 Water Bug Trap

Water bug traps are an easy way to eliminate the entire pest colony. When the bug steps into the bait, it carries back attractors and eliminates a large number of waterbugs when they consume bait particles.

Essential Oils

Using essential oils is another way to get rid of waterbugs. Essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, or cedarwood are used most commonly to keep the bugs away. Most bugs are sensitive to mixture loss, and when essential oil comes in contact with their skin, it dries out their skin wax and kills them eventually. 

 Natural Methods to Kill Waterbugs

You can try various home methods to kill waterbugs before you buy products from outside. Some useful ingredients are alcohol, baking soda, and detergents. Let’s find out the right way of using them to get rid of waterbugs in the house. 

• Baking soda- it is most widely used to kill bugs. Baking soda absorbs all the moisture and dehydrates the bugs, and kills them eventually. 
• Alcohol- Alcohol can kill waterbugs in two ways. It acts as a solvent and dissolves the outer shell of waterbugs, eventually killing them. It is also a dehydrating agent when poured on bugs or sprayed in their nests. 
• Detergents- you can easily find liquid dishwashing detergents at any store near you. The soap water kills the bugs by breaking their protective skin and killing them slowly. Pour a few drops of liquid detergent in a spray bottle and mix with water, then spray it on waterbug nests. 

Read More- How To Drain A Swimming Pool?

How To Get Rid Of Waterbugs Humanely

If you oppose killing waterbugs, there are many methods then you can instead adopt to get rid of waterbugs from your house.

Water Bug Repellent

When killing the waterbugs becomes difficult, using a water bug repellant is the next best choice. Bug repellant sprays block the bug’s sense of smell and make them unattractive or uninterested in their surroundings. This is why they leave the treated areas to find a more comfortable surrounding.

Natural Water Bug Repellent

Vinegar is a great bug repellant and is used everywhere in the world. It serves as a deterrent to bug infestation. You can fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray it all around the infected areas.

How To Prevent WaterBugs In Your Home

It is not easy to eradicate the waterbug infestation completely from your house. It is always best to prevent the infestation before it becomes a big problem. Whenever you spot a single water bug around the house, take all the precautionary measures to block any entry points. 

Here are some tips to keep waterbugs out of your house:

Get Rid Of Standing Water

Getting rid of any still water source is the first most important step you need to take to clean any water leakage area, fix the water fixtures to prevent bug infestation. Clean any damp area because waterbugs are attracted to moist and damp environments. 

Improve Ventilation

Waterbugs stay indoors but can come indoors in search of moist and humid environments. To reduce the humidity level in your house, you can open windows and improve ventilation.

Seal All Food Containers

Leftover food is a siren call to attract waterbugs unless you seal it tightly. Clean all the dishes right after you are finished eating, and remember to frequently change garbage bins. 

Never leave food out overnight, or you will be starting a party for water bugs in your kitchen.   

Seal The Entry Points

Look for holes, cracks, and crevices in your house and seal them all using cement, steel wood, and any other similar material. Inspect doors and windows for any gaps and holes from where the water bugs can crawl in.

What Do Waterbugs Come From?

Water

Water bugs are attracted to moist places and still water. If there is any place in your house with leaky pipes, standing water, these bugs will find them and dwell in them. This is why you mostly notice water bugs in the kitchen or bathroom.

Decaying Organic Matter

The bugs will scavenge for anything and everything they will pass in the name of a food source. They are commonly found in areas where the organic matter is decomposing like any leftover food outside or transcends. The bugs are most commonly nested in septic tanks and sewers. Anywhere with dead leaves and plants rotting, water bugs will dwell. 

Sweet and Starchy Food

 Water bugs get attracted to sweet-tasting food items like sugary syrup. They can also eat starch made like book bindings, wallpapers, or even clothes. Bugs are fond of fermented food like wine and beer. 

Dark Moist Areas

As the bugs need places to hide, water bugs are always on the lookout for warm and dark areas. These usually prefer to live in humid outdoor environments. These can also survive in arid conditions with water sources. Also, bugs thrive in temperatures between 70-85 degrees which is why they are most commonly found indoors during winters. These bugs die when the temperature drops below 15 degrees. 

Final Words:

This is all that we have for you in this waterbugs guide. Although these are not risks to human health, managing their colony is a real task. Try out these methods to get rid of waterbugs, and let us know in the comments below how did they work for you.