Why a “Water Bug” Isn’t The Pest You Think It Is

When it comes to pest control, identifying bugs is half the battle. But what happens when one common pest pulls off a case of stolen identity?

Cockroaches may not be guilty of an actual crime, but they are often called by a name that doesn’t belong to them: water bug. Plenty of people use the terms “cockroach” and “water bug” interchangeably, but the truth is, they’re not the same insect at all. 

So how can you tell who’s who? From appearance and behavior to where you’re likely to spot them, we’ll break down the water bug vs. cockroach differences once and for all so you know exactly what kind of big brown bug you’re dealing with.

Why Are Cockroaches Called Water Bugs?

It’s time to set the record straight. Most of the time, when someone says “water bug,” they’re referring to an American cockroach or an oriental cockroach. These large, reddish-brown bugs often hang out in damp spaces like basements or bathrooms. Because they prefer moist environments, they’ve earned the misleading nickname “water bug.” 

But a true water bug is a completely different insect. These aquatic pests spend most of their time in ponds or lakes — not your pantry. To add to the confusion, giant water bugs are also known as toe-biters thanks to their painful bite. It’s possible that this terrifying nickname stuck with them and helped open the door for cockroaches to adopt the “water bug” label instead. 

What Does a Water Bug Look Like?

At a glance, water bugs and cockroaches do look pretty similar. They’re both big, brown, and fast. But there are a few visual and behavioral cues that help tell them apart.

Water Bugs

• Typically larger, sometimes growing up to 4 inches long
• Have flat, oval-shaped bodies and a pair of strong pincer-like front legs for catching prey
• Usually brown, gray, or tan in color
• Thicker, oar-like legs used for swimming
• Don’t infest homes — they usually only appear indoors by mistake

 

Cockroaches

• Range from 1-2 inches depending on the species
• Have long antennae, spiny legs, and may have wings
• Quick to run and hide when disturbed
• Thrive in warm, humid indoor environments

 

Which Pest is the Bigger Issue?

When it comes to your home, cockroaches are one of the last pests you want to see. They are experts at hiding and reproducing rapidly. Before you know it, you can have an entire infestation on your hands. And if you have young children or people with asthma in your family, the allergens and bacteria that cockroaches can spread could impact their health. 

True water bugs, on the other hand, are more solitary and won’t infest a home. They’re predators, not scavengers, so they prefer to be in a water source where they can hunt other insects and even small fish. If you accidentally invade their space when you’re wading in a stream, they can deliver a painful bite. 

Where Are Cockroaches and Water Bugs Found? 

Cockroaches are most commonly found indoors, especially in dark, damp, and humid areas like kitchens or bathrooms. But they’re not limited to the indoors. They also thrive in warm, swampy, or marsh-like environments. 

In fact, these moist regions are where people are more likely to call them “water bugs” since there are so many damp places for cockroaches to live. Their adaptability means they’re just as comfortable hiding under your sink as they are scurrying through wet leaf litter outside.

With giant water bugs, their name does a lot of lifting. Most of the time, they spend their entire day submerged in bodies of fresh water. In regions with high humidity, such as parts of Florida and Georgia, their habitats can even overlap with cockroaches. 

Although they’re not typically household pests, water bugs do have wings and are able to fly. And because they’re attracted to light, they can end up flying toward porch lights or pool lights, which is how they can accidentally end up near your home.

Leave the Identification to the Pros

Whether it’s a water bug, real-deal roach, or another lookalike, our experts are here to help. Contact us to quickly and efficiently remove any and all big brown bugs from your home.