Pennsylvania Water Bug Control
As scavenger bugs, water bugs will eat about anything made of organic material. These unsightly creatures are Oriental cockroaches but have gotten their nickname because of their love of damp, dark places. To manage water bug infestations, you need an understanding of the pest’s behavior, prevention techniques, and ways to treat an infestation if it does take hold.
What Are Water Bugs?
Water bugs are annoying little critters that will run around your home looking for food and spreading disease. They are hardy and can survive for about two weeks with no water. If they have water available, they can go for a month without food, explain the PA pest control experts at Viking.
How to Identify Water Bugs
Take a close look at the offending pest in your home or business. Does it have a shiny, hard, reddish-brown shell? How about 6 legs and a pair of antennae? Is it about one inch long? Does it have wings? (Only the males have wings). If you said ‘yes’ to all that, it is you are dealing with water bugs, states Viking’s certified entomologist.
What Problems Can Water Bugs Cause for Pennsylvania Home and Business Owners?
The main problem with water bugs is the diseases they can bring into your home. When they come in from outside, they have been rummaging around through garbage and filth looking for food. When they come inside, they can bring bacteria on their legs for dangerous diseases such as dysentery and E. Coli.
When Are Water Bugs Active in Pennsylvania?
PA exterminators at Viking explain, the most water bugs will be around in the late spring, early summer when the weather is nice, and they hatch in the largest numbers.
How to Get Rid of Water Bugs in Pennsylvania
There are a few steps you can take to help control an infestation of water bugs in Pennsylvania. First, Viking’s Pennsylvania pest control experts recommend making sure that all food is securely sealed and put away. Second, avoid leaving damp areas in the home, such as around the bathtub. Water bugs are attracted to water and can live about a month with no food — if they have lots of water.
Inspect the exterior of your home and seal up any small cracks or spaces where these bugs can get into your Pennsylvania home or business.