Question: We get these bugs -- some people call them sewer roaches, and others call them water bugs,. How do we get rid of them? They come out in the summer time, from drains in homes, and drains in the streets, I get them bad out side my home especially when it rains. They come in from under the doors. They're huge and they run fast. It's hard to catch them and kill them. Even if you do catch them, you hate to step on them  because they are so big.

ANSWER  Waterbugs are cockroaches. Some people may call them 'sewer roaches' but they are the same thing. Oriental cockroach is the official common name. This species behaves like the other, more common household cockroaches.  

^{Oriental Cockroach}

They generally live in basements or other cool areas and if a problem develops in  apartments, it will usually be on the ground floor.  They may be found in bath tubs and in kitchen sinks, but they do not come in through the drain pipes.  They lack the sticky pads on their feet that other cockroaches have, so once they get into the tub or sink they can not crawl out because of the smooth sides.
 
Control of waterbugs is easiest with the use of baits.  There are several forms of cockroach control baits (plastic stations, gels), but the best for waterbugs is the gel formulation.  The gel bait for roaches usually comes in a small dispenser that works like a syringe. Place small amounts of gel in the places where you have seen these cockroaches. Make sure to put the bait out of the reach of children and pets. Continue to re-apply the gel when it is eaten.  Give this control method a few weeks to work.  

Outdoors, an insecticide barrier on the foundation can help. Use insecticide granules in flowerbeds and other damp areas.
 
Inspect the outside of the home for openings the roaches can use to get in. Door thresholds should fit tightly. In flowerbeds, rake mulch 6" - 12" away from the foundation.

Related Questions:
The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

Question: What Does a Water Bug look like?

Question: What is the difference between a water bug and a cockroach?

Question: I have a major water bug problem in the basement.

They are huge and starting to move to other parts of the house. What can I do and how much will it cost? yesterday when moving my trash cans (they sit outside) there were literally 10 of then that scattered from underneath the trash can. I hate bugs and worry about this problem. Please instruct me on things that can be done. Can you give me an estimate without coming out and if you need to come out can it be treated in the same day?

Question: Why do water bugs com in the house?

I found 3 in my house in the last 2 weeks. Please tell me about them and what to do about them. I have never seen this in my house before. Why do they come in side and where did they come from? I found one on the paper towel holder, one in the basket I keep notes, and the last one in my daughters room.