After you have spotted the first sign of a bug infestation in your house, you have a limited amount of time to stop the bugs from breeding before they get out of hand. Before you can formulate a plan for treating your house against bugs, you need to know exactly what kind of bugs you have. Many people jump to the conclusion that they have cockroaches in their home, and opt for bug bombs and roach traps right away.
Unfortunately, there are several types of insects that are commonly mistaken for cockroaches, some of which are not harmful at all and others are not susceptible to the same pesticides as cockroaches.
Here are a few of the insects that are most commonly confused with the cockroach.
1) Ground Beetle
The ground beetle is probably the bug that is most often mistaken for a cockroach. It has similar features to a roach in that it has a wide body of dark brown or black and leathery wings. They are roughly the same size, and at first glance can be very convincing.
However, there are several differences worth noting to help you discern which one is residing in your home. There are roughly 2,500 known species of ground beetles in varying sizes and colors, and while they are not typically welcome in people’s homes, it is good to know that they are not dangerous. They do not spread diseases or cause destruction to property, and they are not a danger to pets.
These bugs are only susceptible to roach killing agents if they come into direct contact with the pesticide, so most bug bombs or sprays will not eliminate them. Instead, you will need to use an outdoor barrier to prevent them from coming inside if you wish to stop them.
While many people are familiar with the sound that crickets make, few people actually have a chance to see many crickets. Crickets are very small, fast, and share a similar brown and red color with cockroaches. In addition, they typically come out at night and become noisy, and go into hiding when someone walks too close. Their quick speed and their coloring make them another insect that can easily be mistaken for a cockroach, since you probably won’t get a chance to actually examine one before it runs.
The best way to tell the difference between the two is the cricket’s long hind legs used for jumping. Like the ground beetle, crickets are not typically harmful to people, but they do tend to live in the same types of environments as cockroaches, so it is still possible for them to spread some diseases. The good news is that crickets can be easily removed with bug lights and simple traps, so you won’t need heavy pesticides.
3) Water Bugs
Another type of insect that is frequently thought to be a cockroach is the Water Bug. Some people even refer to cockroaches as Water Bugs due to the negative connotation of acknowledging the presence of cockroaches in your home. Other names that are used are “Palmetto Bug” or “Croton Bug”.
It is important to recognize that these are all different and distinct species. The term water bug actually refers to a wide variety of insects that prefer to live in areas with access to standing water, while cockroaches only look for humid areas. Unfortunately, water bugs are typically larger and more aggressive than cockroaches, and their bites can be painful to humans. They look extremely similar so you may not be able to tell which is which without a professional’s help.
However, water bugs tend to be darker in color, while cockroaches have more of an orange or red tint. The best way to eliminate them in your home is to make sure that you are keeping bathrooms and kitchens clean and free of water sources that will attract these aquatic insects.
There are many misconceptions about cockroaches and how to handle them. The best way to determine what kind of insects you have in your home is pay attention to their habits and the distinct differences in their colors.
A professional will be able to assist you in identifying specific insects, and give you a good idea of how to deal with each type of bug. The pest control solution you choose will depend highly on the type of bug present, because not all bug sprays or traps are effective against certain types of bugs.
In addition, it is worth remembering that some of these species are not dangerous, and have a positive impact on their environments, so the best option may be to simply relocate them outside to a garden instead of eliminating them.