Quick answer
To get rid of water bugs in NYC, treat the drains and plumbing entry points they come up through, seal gaps around pipes and under doors, reduce moisture in basements and bathrooms, and use professional treatment at harbourage points — because water bugs (large American and Oriental cockroaches) enter from drains, basements and shared plumbing, so surface sprays alone won't stop them.
The short answer
Water bugs come up from drains, basements and shared plumbing — so getting rid of them means treating those routes, not just spraying your counters. In NYC, a “water bug” is a large American or Oriental cockroach (a true cockroach). They need moisture and travel up pipes, which is why they appear in bathrooms and kitchens at night. (Not sure what you’ve got? See cockroach vs. water bug.)
Step by step
- Treat and cover drains — their main highway in.
- Seal plumbing and entry gaps — around pipes, under sinks and doors.
- Reduce moisture — fix leaks, dry out bathrooms and basements.
- Treat harbourage points — professional crack-and-crevice treatment at the source.
- Address the building — shared basements and risers feed multi-unit buildings.
Why store-bought sprays fail
Surface sprays kill the water bugs you see but do nothing about the ones still in the drains, plumbing chases and basement below — so they keep reappearing. The fix is treating the entry routes and reducing the moisture that draws them. See our cockroach & water bug control for how we handle it, or call for a a prompt inspection.