The Surprising Places Water Bugs Could Be Hiding In Your Home

It's not uncommon to see a water bug crawling in the bathroom and, once the initial startle reflex has calmed down, assume that it came up from the drain of your bathtub or sink. Their love of moisture is indeed where the bug in question, also known as the Oriental cockroach, got the nickname 'water bug.' But to outsmart them, we should think more broadly about the types of environments they are likely to prefer. They favor areas that are cool and damp, and these descriptions apply to many spaces that may not be your first thought. 'Water bugs' could be hiding in surprising places in your home, including basements, crawl spaces, or even under trash cans.

If the bug you're seeing is just over an inch long, dark brown or black in color, and shiny, it's time to come to terms with the likelihood that unfortunately, you are dealing with a type of roach. There's only a slim chance that the aquatic insect known as the 'giant water bug' could be the creepy crawler invading your home. These insects are longer, have pincers, and don't have antennae, but they're usually found in ponds or other outdoor bodies of water rather than inside. The cockroaches that can be confused for true water bugs, however, can live in dry areas as long as water is nearby. Get your sleuthing started by looking for spaces where there's a crevice or opening near a water source, as these can be some of their ideal hiding spots.

To pinpoint where this type of cockroach may be hidden, think dank and dark. A basement or crawl space can be humid enough for them to take up residence. They stay near the ground and food sources, so try picking up a trash can or stray debris to check if they're hiding underneath. Due to their small size, they can wedge themselves into the space between a floor and baseboard. It's also wise to consider how they got in. Oriental cockroaches can move inside during colder weather or a drought through small cracks in a porch or foundation you may not have realized were attracting roaches to your home.

When you've narrowed down some ideas for the hiding place, take care of leaking pipes, which are attractive to the cockroaches due to the condensation around them, and patch up any cracks you may have found. Sealing the cracks is important and should go a long way to deter repeat visitors, because these crawlers typically wander inside from nearby sources of water rather than causing a full-scale infestation.  For places that can't be closed up, there are ways to repel the bugs naturally. Essential oils, such as clove oil, can be diluted and sprayed in the problem areas to keep water bugs out. You can also apply a spray or powder made with boric acid, but be careful to keep it away from children or pets. This mineral found in nature will poison the insects. It works best around a week after it's applied.