Do you have pesky waterbugs invading your home? These little bugs can be a nuisance to deal with, but there are some great natural remedies and solutions that will help get rid of them, so you don’t need to call an exterminator. We’ll discuss how you can use peppermint oil or a mixture of dish soap and water as well as other methods like borax mixed in sugar or salt.
Water bugs are also known as palmetto bugs or the american cockroach. These bugs can be found in warmer climates such as Florida, Louisiana and Texas.
Waterbugs are nocturnal pests that make their way into homes through open doors or windows during the night hours looking for food.
The best way to deal with waterbugs is prevention by getting a good screen door for your home, clean up spills right away and ensure any rubbish is thrown away in a sealed container.
If you find that waterbugs have found their way into your home, then the following remedies may work to get rid of them.
Using Peppermint Oil To Get Rid Of Waterbugs
If you want to use peppermint oil, it’s best if the peppermint is fresh so that it will have a stronger aroma.
You can take a spray bottle and fill with water then add about 30 drops of peppermint essential oil. Spray this around your home liberally where there might be waterbugs or even just in an area where you have seen them before. You should also spray it around your trash can, you will want to do this on a weekly basis.
This is best done at night when the waterbugs are more active and they may go near where you sprayed which then makes them susceptible to the peppermint oil’s smell.
Dish Soap and Water To Remove Waterbugs
You can use dish soap and water to get rid of waterbugs. You will want to have one cup of soapy water and about a quarter teaspoon dish soap. Pour this into the sink drain, then carefully pour plain hot water in after it. The idea is that you are using the suds from the soap as an agent that helps get rid of any bugs or eggs that might be hiding around your pipes.
Another place to use dish soap and water is in your dishwasher. You will want to fill the soap compartment with soapy water, then put in a normal cycle of dishes as usual. The idea is that you are using the suds from the soap as an agent that helps get rid of any bugs or eggs that might be hiding around your dishwashers pipes.
Borax Mixed In Sugar Or Salt To Get Rid of Waterbugs
Waterbugs aren’t difficult to get rid of. They are typically drawn in by the moisture that is present, so you will want to be mindful when watering plants or filling up a bucket of water outside and try not to leave any standing puddles nearby.
You can also use borax mixed with sugar or salt to get rid of waterbugs, which is a very effective and inexpensive solution that has been used for generations. Mix together equal parts of Borax in sugar or salt, then sprinkle this around areas where you have seen these pests congregate.
The idea behind using this technique is that the borax will repel them and the sugar or salt will get their attention, causing them to come closer.
One other great option is to put out a small dish of beer that has been left uncapped for about an hour. The waterbugs are attracted by the scent of alcohol in which attracts them more than anything else.
Baking Soda To Get Rid Of Water Bugs
You can use baking soda to get rid of water bugs by sprinkling it around the area you want to make uninhabitable. This is an inexpensive way of getting rid of these pests and does not involve any toxic chemicals that could cause harm to people in your home.
What If None Of These Natural Methods Help Get Rid Of My Waterbug Problem?
If none of these natural remedies help your waterbug problem then you may need to call a professional for pest extermination. Sometimes you need to hire a pest control professional as the infestation might be due to a bigger problem.
Waterbugs are small insects that can come into your home and make it their own personal space of living when they feed off the food in your cupboards, or anything else that’s lying around.
Pest Control Treatments for Coackroaches (Waterbugs) done by using a pesticide that is safe for humans and pets.
A professional will take several steps to get rid of the waterbugs such as seal all entry points like cracks under doors, windowsills, or around pipes where they may be entering the structure from outside. . Make sure there are no open holes in the wall and that all the screens are in place.
Then, they’ll offer a treatment to kill any waterbugs inside or outside of the home, and then finally spray an insect growth regulator on your lawn to prevent future infestations.
