Bugs are fascinating creatures because you cannot distinguish one from another in some instances.
Upon researching, you stumble on the term “water bug” while also seeing cockroaches in the same sentence. Now you are curious what the distinguishable difference is between the two insects.
The term “water bug” might refer to a few insects. There are actual water bugs that live in the water called giant water bugs.
However, a cockroach is commonly called a water bug as well. More specifically, oriental cockroaches may be called water bugs.
Seeing that is the case, we will want to distinguish the water bug vs roach. This article covers each insect’s habitat, appearance, eating habits, and more. Continue reading for more information.
What Habitat Do They Live in?
The habitat a water bug lives in is under the surface of slow-moving water, whereas a cockroach lives on land in warm, damp places like pipes and drains.
Water Bug
You will quickly find that water bugs prefer to live in the water. However, these creatures have been known to live in rotting materials like leaves, debris, and wood.
This aquatic insect also lives in slow-moving pools of water like marshes, slow-moving streams, and freshwater ponds. You can discover them living under vegetation mats under the water’s surface.
Often, they might be living right behind your house in your pool! Pools make excellent breeding areas for the giant water bug. If unsure, search for algae in the pool or near pump fixtures.
It would also be wise to look for little eggs inside your pool, as water bugs will leave egg cases, discarded shells, and droppings in their surroundings.
Cockroach
Cockroaches live in warm but damp places. They like living in areas where there are available food sources and infest homes to find these things.
Roaches prefer finding shelter in small cracks in your homes, under sinks, damp basements, near trash cans, behind or under appliances, and more.
However, outdoor roaches live where there’s a lot of debris, mulch, decaying matter, and sewage systems.
Overall, if there is water and food, they will want to live near that, so make sure you keep your home uninviting and constantly search for areas in your home to seal up.
Read More: What Causes Roaches In My Clean House and Why Do I Have Them?
Difference in Appearance
Water Bug
The water bug has a similar appearance to the cockroach but is a bit different. The giant water bug can reach up to 4.5 inches long, whereas most species are roughly 2 inches long.
Giant water bugs are a brownish color and have oval-shaped bodies with pincers in the front appendages to help kill their prey. Its rear legs help propel them through the water with it being flat and its tiny hairs.
Lastly, these insects have short antennae and wings, which means water bugs fly.
They are often called electric light bugs because they attract light, and you may find them on walls with lights.
Cockroach
Cockroaches are typically between 1/2 to 2 inches long, with the American cockroach being the largest one of its kind. The oriental cockroach, which is considered the water bug is roughly 1 inch.
A roach’s color can range from light tan to dark brown and have an oval-shaped, flat body. They also have long antennae and contain wings.
Usually, cockroaches would not fly unless they were threatened and needed to move quickly. However, they typically glide from one area to the next if they need to go somewhere.
Read More: Look-Alikes: Types of Bugs that Look Like Cockroaches But Aren’t
Reproduction
Water Bug
Water bugs have three stages in their lifetime: the egg, the larvae, and the adult phase.
The female water bugs will lay a batch of roughly 100+ eggs in floating water or debris, typically lying approximately one week after reproduction.
Cockroach
The lifecycle of cockroaches is relatively similar to that of water bugs. Roaches lay their eggs in an egg sack or ootheca. They typically choose to lay their eggs in crevices or where there is less human activity.
For example, if you have a box full of clothes you have not touched in a while, you might find roach eggs everywhere.
Cockroaches typically have 16 eggs per case and will lay their egg case down only a few days after reproduction.
Read More: How Fast Do Roaches Reproduce?
Eating Habits
Water Bug
Giant water bugs have multiple aquatic preys, including small fish, tadpoles, arthropods and other insects. These insects have also been known to kill prey much more extensively.
The water bug grabs the prey with its front legs and injects venom from its saliva. Afterward, they suck out the liquid remains from said prey.
Cockroach
Cockroaches will essentially eat whatever they can find. These foods range from starches, food crumbs, rodent droppings, decaying matter, and more.
If a cockroach lives in an area that lacks food, it will eventually start eating organic materials, such as skin flakes, furniture, dead plants, and more.
If you see signs of a cockroach infestation, it is challenging to eliminate them from your home for this very reason. However, we will dive more into that later on.
Read More: Lifespan Of Roaches When There Is No Food
Bite Risks
Water Bugs
Only water bugs bite humans compared to roaches. They leave a painful bite near your toes and feet, which leads to the term “toe biter.”
However, if you handle a giant water bug, it may feel threatened and bite you out of defense. These bites are nontoxic to humans, but you might feel an itch, red bumps, mild burn, or pulsating pain.
If that is the case, wash the affected area with water and soap and use an ice pack.
Another alternative you can do is create a paste with a 1:1 ratio of baking soda and water, then apply it to the area for an hour, then rinse it off afterward.
Cockroach
Cockroaches do not typically bite humans unless the roach infestation is nasty and food is limited. Nevertheless, most of the time, it will not become an issue.
However, if your home has a heavy infestation, you become an easy target while you sleep and might wake up with bite marks on your body.
Although their bite marks are not dangerous, the diseases they might carry with them (due to feeding on feces and other old foods) are the issue.
Cockroaches can cause asthma attacks or skin reactions that may last a few days.
Elimination Process
Water Bug
Suppose you have a water bug infestation inside your pool or pipes. In that case, you might want to learn how to eliminate them.
There are many ways to eliminate water bugs. Here is a quick list as follows:
- Use boric acid
- Synthetic pesticides
- Water bug sprays
- Water bug traps
- Essential oils (cedarwood, peppermint, or lemongrass)
- Baking soda
- Alcohol
- Detergents
If you wish to prevent further infestation, get rid of stand-alone water, improve ventilation, seal entry points, and seal food. However, if push comes to shove, call a professional exterminator.
Cockroach
A cockroach infestation is much harder to eliminate because they are notorious for surviving on many things.
They also reproduce very quickly, and your home can have just a few roaches to thousands in a month.
Given that information, here are some ways to get rid of roaches in your home:
- Use boric acid
- Use diatomaceous earth
- Baking soda & sugar mixture
- Seal off entry points with caulk
- Fix leaky faucets
- Essential oils (citronella, peppermint oil, or lemongrass)
- Setting bait stations
- Use liquid concentrate
Overall, if you have tried everything you possibly can and are at your wit’s end, contact a professional exterminator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Water Bugs to Enter Your House?
Damp, moist areas, and old garbage cause water bugs to enter your house.
Ask yourself if an area within or around your home has more moisture than others. In that case, clean the area well and get a dehumidifier if it remains humid.
Can Water Bugs Come Up My Toilets?
No, water bugs cannot come up your toilets. However, they will typically come up through your pipes and wind up in a toilet that rarely gets used.
So, if you have an area in the house that you do not use often, make sure to check that area just in case periodically.
Read More: What to Pour Down the Drain to Kill Roaches
Are Water Bugs Active at Night?
Yes, water bugs are active at night. These insects love light, so they might accidentally come into your home for this reason.
Read More: Keep Cockroaches Away at Night
