9 Handy Solutions to Terminate Water Bugs (Plus 9 Useful Tips)

Water bugs are one of the most unpleasant kinds of pests that are found in the households. These critters are very nasty and cause too much trouble which makes life extremely difficult. Insects and bugs are always creepy, but in addition to this, they also contribute heavily in spreading diseases. However, there are plenty of solutions available to get these bugs out of the home and make it cleaner and safer for all the residents. These solutions will make the homes least favorable for the pests and will remove them for good.

Natural remedies are always good for such issues because they do not have any side effects for the people. An exterminator is also a good option; however, they use chemicals equipped with copper sulfate, which is equally harmful to the health of humans, especially kids. If you have kids at your home, then you might think twice to hire an exterminator as a solution. The exterminators are also very costly, and you also have to empty your house as well so that they can use their chemicals freely to remove the bugs. This can be very troublesome as well as expensive. There is no need to get involved in such hefty measures when you have natural solutions at your disposal.

【Read more about Water Bugs】

Water bugs identification

To use these solutions yourself, first, you need to understand the different types of water bugs. There are water scorpions that have grasping limbs very much like a conventional scorpion. Backswimmers are the type of water bugs that actually look like water boatmen, but they swim upside down hence names backswimmers. Giant Water Bugs are the largest ones of these bugs and are found in the areas where there are small pools of stagnant water. Water Boatmen have triangular heads, and their bodies have black and brown marks as well. Water Striders are flat and long insects which have a very long second or third pair of legs.  Most of these insects live on the surface of the water, and due to their light weight, they have the ability to use surface tension of water for mobility.

Solutions

Following is the list of nine solutions and remedies to get rid of all types of water bugs mentioned above. You can safely use these solutions as they don’t have that level of impact on people as compared to the chemical and are perfectly safe to use within the households.

1. Diatomaceous

For this solution, you need 200 grams of diatomaceous earth, gloves, a piece of cloth and a mask for covering your face. Wear the mask and gloves then take 200 grams of diatomaceous earth in your palm and sprinkle it on the infested area and let it be for a few hours. After this, you can wipe it off with water. Repeat this twice or thrice in a week. You can also sprinkle it around your house so that the bugs don’t enter the premises. Diatomaceous earth is very useful in destroying the outer protective shell of these insects and kills them almost instantly.

2. Hot water

Take 500 milliliters of tap water in a bowl or a kitchen utensil. Place it on the stove and let it boil. Before you remove this bowl from the stove make sure that you cover your hands with a piece of cloth or gloves.  Pour this hot water directly on the infested area. You can repeat this twice a day to get rid of them in a quick manner.

3. Algaecide

First, you need to shock your pool with some chemicals and let them be for a couple of days. This will get lower the level of chlorine and will keep it in between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm. Now use the algaecide as per the instructions are given on the pack. After this, you can vacuum or brush the pool for the purpose of removing the dead algae. You can repeat this process as many times as per your requirements.

4. Liquid detergent

You need three tablespoons of liquid detergent and pour this amount into a spray bottle. The remaining portion of the bottle can be filled with water. Shake it well to form a mixture. You can spray it on all the infested areas as well as along the perimeters of your pool. Then leave it for a few hours. You can now wash your pool with the filtration system and vacuum the dead algae as well. This treatment can be repeated as many times as required because it will prevent bacteria formation.

5. Cold effect

You will require 500 milliliters of ice cold water or use can also use normal tap water and throw some ice cubes in it. Spray this chilled water on the infested areas and leave it to dry. This process can be repeated again and again at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes.

6. Boric acid

You need to take 400 to 500 grams of boric powder and identify the water bug-infested areas. Sprinkle thin layers of this powder onto the area. Make sure that you don’t sprinkle a thick layer as the insects have the tendency to avoid heavy powdering piles. You can also mix 400 grams of boric acid in 200 milliliters of water and form a solution and spray it on the infested area. Boric acid has inflammatory properties and will instantly kill all the insects as well as the algae.

7. Bay leaves

This solution is very simple as well. Add some bay leaves in small sized sachets and leave these near the infested areas and places where you think that water bugs might get into your home. If you don’t have sachets, then leave the leaves directly on the floor.

8. Catnip leaves

Catnip leaves are also very useful for removing the water bugs in an effective manner. You can boil 30 to 40 grams of catnip leaves in a couple of cups of water. After about 20 minutes or so, strain it and pour it into a spray bottle. Now spray this on the infested areas as well as invents, doorways, window sills and any other place that comes to your mind. You can repeat this process 2 to 3 times per day to get rid of the water bugs.

9. Baking soda

You can take baking soda and mix it with an equal amount of powdered sugar. Sprinkle this mixture on the infested area to get rid of the bugs. Again make sure that you don’t sprinkle thick layers of this powdered mixture as the insects have the tendency to avoid thick layers of powders.

Additional tips

A young woman and a little child girl are wiping the dust and vacuumed the floor.In addition to all 9 solutions enlisted above, there are some other solutions that will allow you to keep water bugs away from your home. These are as follows,

  • Make sure that you keep your house clean at all times. You need to clean up any spills as soon as possible and use water and soap to clean up your floors.
  • Cleaning the floors must be done once every week, and the floors of the kitchens must be cleaned a couple of times in a week.
  • Get rid of the garbage on a daily basis and don’t keep it overnight at any cost. Tightly cover the garbage cans.
  • Check for any sort of plumbing leakages across the house, the garden and the backyard as well and fix them as soon as possible.
  • You have to use tight-fitting lids for all your containers in the kitchen as well.
  • Keep your kitchen sink clean at all times. Make sure that you clean all your dishes before you go to bed. IF this cannot be done then, fill the sink with water and liquid dishwasher.
  • Dark and humid conditions attract the insects hence; make sure that you keep your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, dry at all times. Keep them proper ventilated as well.
  • Don’t forget to fill all the cracks that are present in you house. Check for ceilings, windows, doors, floors, ducts, cabinets and other parts of the house and fill those cracks with sealants.
  • Cleaning should not be limited to the interiors of the house. Ignoring the exteriors can also invite these bugs to your home. Make sure that you clean your garden and backyard on a regular basis and get rid of any debris as well.
  • Make sure that you limit your meals to a single place in your house and remember to keep it clean on a frequent basis. Food particles are the important source of living for these insects, and to eliminate them; you have to limit their food source. This will make sure that they do not get enough food to survive and multiply.

If you think that your house if heavily infested with these bugs then you need to contact an expert. But make sure that you have carried out the all the above solutions as well. Make sure that you eliminate food supply to these insects. The above-mentioned solutions are not only simple but are cost effective as well. These natural remedies have been used for many years.

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