Don’t Bug Out: The Outer Banks Water Bug Survival Guide
By Brandi McMahan, Your Outer Banks Insider
So, there I was, facing off with a water bug—a battle that took me and four teenage boys to bring it down. Moments earlier, I was downstairs searching for a sweatshirt to cut the chill in the fall air during the peaceful walk I was about to enjoy (an escape from day two of a teenage boy sleepover). That’s when I heard the summons from above:
“Mom, there’s a water bug in the pantry!!!”
Oh, dear Sweet Sally, not today.
I climbed the stairs, wondering if this was a prank or the real deal. Poking my head into the pantry, there it was. Based on the twitch of its antennae, I knew it was legit—and it was practically saying, “Yup, you found me!”
I grabbed the can of Raid and made sure it knew who was boss. Of course, it ran for cover before succumbing to its fate. (Raid works wonders, especially when paired with maniacal screaming.) One of the FOUR boys then bravely disposed of the lifeless creature so I could get back to my walk.
So, why am I telling this story?
Why are you still reading? (Thank you, by the way.)
It’s because we sometimes get calls from guests spotting these “giant roaches” and panicking—sometimes outwardly, and other times silently, only to let loose in a review later. Right after sharing how amazing the house was and what an incredible time they had during their Outer Banks vacation. For some reason, people always mention these critters—kind of like I am right now.
On that note, let me tell you about my first introduction to one of these creatures. It was back in the ’90s, and I was in Charleston, South Carolina. Strolling along the beautiful waterfront cobblestone streets at night, I remember thinking, Are the stones moving? Then I realized—nope, it was bugs, and even in the dark, I could tell they were on the larger side. I soon learned they were referred to—almost fondly—as Palmetto bugs, which, I have to admit, sounds WAY better than GIANT COCKROACH.
I also learned that if you call them Palmetto bugs instead of GIANT ROACHES (or even silly oversized roaches or Water Bugs), you’ll feel better. It’s all about perspective, right?
For the record, I still love Charleston, and these water bug sightings have been a part of every coastal town I’ve ever lived in or visited. Guess what? I still love every single one of these coastal towns. Fortunately, sightings here on the Outer Banks are rare. But yes, we still pay for pest control—just sayin’!
When a guest calls about a sighting, we do our best to talk them off the ledge, using the term “Palmetto Bug” (the deeper the southern accent the better) or their other nickname, “Water Bug,” to help bring the guest’s blood pressure back to normal. We then remind them that these bugs are harmless—unpleasant, sure, but harmless. I’ve got to say, this recent encounter involved plenty of screams followed by laughter, which I’d file under “harmless fun.”
Let’s clear up a myth here: Palmetto bugs (Periplaneta americana) aren’t attracted to filth, and they don’t infest like their cousins, the German Cockroach (Blattella germanica). They prefer warm, damp environments such as basements, crawl spaces, and outdoors around decaying organic matter, mainly plants. If you find one inside, they likely got lost in their wanderings in search of food, water, and a dark place to lay low for a while. On rare occasions, you might see one on its journey to find a cozy corner. I doubt the top of my pantry qualifies, but hey, it’s dark up there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to buy some high-lumen lights and sleep masks.
While they don’t bite or sting or infest homes in an attempt to take up permanent residence, why are they so dang scary??? In fact, why am I still talking about them? I hesitated to write this post—do we really want people Googling “water bugs” and landing on our website? But you’re here, and I’m glad you found us!
So, if, and this is a BIG IF, you should encounter one, here’s my go-to method: grab a can of bug spray, a roll of toilet paper, and a pinch of bravery. Spray (maybe excessively), cover, flush, and return to your regularly scheduled vacation. (For the record, my “pinch of bravery” is actually a three-foot grabber tool...)
P.S.
Don’t let a little bug scare you away from vacationing with us or anywhere on the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks is well worth it—water bugs and all. And unlike other destinations, we promise no lions, scorpions, or other wild surprises in your rental. But if you ever need a vacation from a wilder vacation, we’ll be here waiting—ready to make you feel right at home.