Best way to get rid of Texas Waterbugs? (Dallas, Mart: apartments, houseboat)

[tom8503]

Hi all,

I just moved into a new place in Dallas about a week ago. Last night, I was walking to the kitchen, and I saw a big 'ol waterbug sneaking along the bottom of the wall. I thought it was a roach but the property manager says it's a texas waterbug. Unfortunately, pest control is tenant's responsibility here (sucks, I know). The property manager recommended and said she uses Black and Decker electronic pest repellers and that keeps them away. Has anyone else had experience with these? I've also heard boric acid is good and I will probably pick some up, but I would like to keep the bugs out all together if possible.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by tom8503

Hi all,

I just moved into a new place in Dallas about a week ago. Last night, I was walking to the kitchen, and I saw a big 'ol waterbug sneaking along the bottom of the wall. I thought it was a roach but the property manager says it's a texas waterbug. Unfortunately, pest control is tenant's responsibility here (sucks, I know). The property manager recommended and said she uses Black and Decker electronic pest repellers and that keeps them away. Has anyone else had experience with these? I've also heard boric acid is good and I will probably pick some up, but I would like to keep the bugs out all together if possible.

You can get a proper exterminator on a schedule but when I lived in apartments I used roach bait disks...they worked pretty well. Your landlord may not take responsibility for pest control but they should have a plumber check your sinks and tubs for leaks, since those are one thing that tend to attract water bugs.

[Winter01]

Quarterly pest control service. We are complete and total neat freaks and I am a bug a phob and the only way we could completely get rid of all bugs was to have someone spray. We only needed to have the outside perimeter of the house sprayed, never inside and it completely took care of everything including ants and spiders.

If you are in an apartment maybe your landlord already has a pest control company?

[tom8503]

Thanks for your replies. Yes I live in an older building with only four units. I am very clean so I don't believe that to be the problem, but based on my research it sounds like waterbugs are more prevalent in older neighborhoods with a lot of trees, which fits mine exactly. The management company that owns the building does have a service they recommend. I will probably call them today, and also get some traps and sprays, as it took me a few good wallops to kill that thing. I swear it even played dead after the first time I hit it, because it started moving again once I moved toward it some more. Definitely gets your heart rate going. I dealt with centipedes here a couple years ago and now these buggers lol

[bencronin04]

They can fly too, so don't let that scare you too bad the first time that happens.....

[ChristieP]

Boric Acid works wonders! Also, make sure all gaps, such as around plumbing and windows/doors, are sealed.

[pepper131]

Agree...quarterly service. We use Eco Safe. Never a problem.

[loves2read]

if you have pets be careful using boric acid
I think it can make them pretty sick

[elan]

Unless you live on a houseboat, you have roaches, not water bugs. Everything mentioned here helps, but I'd hire an exterminator. Oh, and it doesn't mean your apartment is dirty. Roaches just like to eat anything and everything, including paper.

[BstYet2Be]

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I use Ortho Home Defense for indoor & perimeter, both in the city and at our rural property - protects against all kinds of home-invading bugs (too many to name, but listed on the container) and good up to 12-months. Does an outstanding job of keeping both places bug-free and it's odorless. Comes in a white w/red label 1.33 gal container w/continuous spray wand similar to what the pros use and you can buy it at Wal-Mart in the garden section. Just keep the pets away from where you spray until it dries, the same as if you called in an exterminator.
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