How common are Waterbugs?
My husband and I recently viewed a co-op in a limestone building. While looking at the building’s basement we noticed a large waterbug crawling on the wall. We were told by the realtor that the reason for this waterbug was that the building is in the process of putting in a new boiler. Are waterbugs…
My husband and I recently viewed a co-op in a limestone building. While looking at the building’s basement we noticed a large waterbug crawling on the wall. We were told by the realtor that the reason for this waterbug was that the building is in the process of putting in a new boiler. Are waterbugs something that should hinder a bid on a co-op? Are they common to most prewar buildings in Brooklyn? We are first time buyers and would greatly appreciate any feedback.
oh G-d- that was just too much information. I mean about the sound effects.
What’s often called a waterbug in the northeast, is usually called a palmetto bug in the south. Both are the same critter and, entomologically speaking, are American cockroaches. The smaller insect that most New Yorkers are familiar with are German cockroaches. Waterbugs are often a year-round problem in NYC tenement apartments, but for most brownstones I agree with others that they are a summertime thing (because of cellar humidity), and not a major concern.
nss, they’re a lot bigger. You don’t normally see them in apts. THey have a nice ‘crunch’ when you step on them. They will occasionally ‘glide’, which really freaks people out.
I always thought “Waterbugs” were actually roaches – Arent they just a different species of cockeroach?
What do these things look like?
Bugs are not my friend. don’t know why they have such a ewwwww factor for me. Mice- no prob. rats- don’t scare me. teeny tiny spider- shriek, throw hunter/cat at it and slam the door.
Didn’t quite mean to “jump all over her,” but I see so many posts where people are overly concerned about routine issues.
It was meant more of a warning to OP to not appear too picky and maybe get turned down by the board.
Fwiw, I grew up in a country where bugs were very much the norm, so little bothers me now.
I had a friend who lived off the grand Concourse and her apartment was infested with huge crawling enormous bugs that looked like roaches. I assumed those were waterbugs but maybe they were something else?
Waterbugs are not something to be concerned with, even though they are horrifying.
The smaller cockroaches are the ones which indicate you have a “roach” infestation.
Waterbugs find their way inside and are attracted to water and humidity. Boric Acid, a dehumidifier in the basement and large roach traps are the main ways to keep them in check.
They are more a summer thing. I’ve never seen a waterbug in our basement in winter when it’s cold and dry.
See denton’s July 28 post on Renovations. He has a cat that eats waterbugs. maybe he’ll lease him out. But I want a commission.