How to Kill Waterbugs

Written By
Alicia Bodine
Alicia Bodine
Published: Jun 18, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Moth balls
  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Insecticide
  • Instant Bug Killer

Unless you want the infestation to grow, you will need to kill the waterbugs. You can hire an exterminator, but you may want to save a few dollars and do it yourself.

  1. Look around your home and find the spots where the waterbugs are getting into the house. This is important for two reasons. First, you can plug up the holes. Second, you can place moth balls near the holes to deter the waterbugs from coming into your home in the first place. Never leave moth balls around people or animals becuase they are toxic.

  2. Begin cleaning your home, being careful not to leave any food out. Pour some vinegar and baking soda down your sink to get rid of any food particles in there. Then wrap up your garbage frequently and place it in a trash can outside. Make sure the trash can has a secure lid.

  3. Purchase an insecticide such as Suspend. This product is safe to spray inside the house and does not have a horrible odor. Another good thing about this product is that it lasts for a long time. That will keep new waterbugs from coming in to your home.

  4. Spray the insecticide under your cabinets, sinks, around your baseboards, in your basement, and anywhere you have noticed waterbugs.

  5. Buy a bottle of instant bug killer. Raid makes a good one. This way you can kill any waterbugs you see on contact. As soon as you see the waterbug just aim and press down on the spray button. The waterbug will die shortly after being sprayed.

Tips

You can buy some roach traps to leave out, but these will not totally get rid of the waterbugs.

If you are not having any luck getting rid of the waterbugs, you will need to call a pest control specialist.

Warnings

Make sure that you wear a mask and set of gloves when handling any type of waterbug killer.

Alicia Bodine

Alicia Bodine has been a professional writer for 13 years. She has produced thousands of articles for online publications such as Demand Studios, GoBankingRates and WiseGeek. Bodine is passionate about gardening, travel, education and…

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