We will be the first to admit that earwigs are one of the more creepy creatures in appearance that we encounter, even though they hardly live up to the tales people villainize them in. Therefore, we are taking a moment today to explain the primary features of earwigs and how you can get rid of them.
How to Identify Earwigs
Earwigs are slender red-brown insects that grow to an average length of ¾ of an inch. They have long, flat bodies with a sharp pair of pincers protruding from their abdomen at the tail end. While some species have wings, they are not strong fliers and primarily crawl to get around.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
Once upon a time, someone in Europe spread a story that earwigs would crawl into people’s ears at night and tunnel into their brains while they sleep, thus, giving them the name. Fortunately, there is no scientific evidence of this myth, but the stories still get told, and you have likely heard the tale.
In all reality, earwigs are not dangerous to humans whatsoever. While they might be creepy to look at, they don’t spread disease and have zero desire to be around you. The ones at risk are actually your plants. Earwigs love to eat vegetables and flowers, so you may see little holes in corn silk, seedlings, and specific flowers. While a single earwig isn’t worth worrying about, a whole fleet may cause enough damage to be concerning.
What are Earwigs’ Habits?
Earwigs are fairly simple creatures. They hide out in damp, cold areas during the day, then come out to feed at night. They are attracted to gardens, light, and water. If you see earwigs on the back porch, it’s because they love the light. If you see them in your house, they are attracted to water or damp places. However, they aren’t nesters and will usually die quickly.
Note: If you see a lot of earwigs in your home, you may want to call for an inspection. They are creepy little indicators that there may be a leak or overtly damp area of your home that is in need of repair.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs
To prevent unwanted earwigs from being regular visitors to your home, we suggest the following:
- Clean up garden debris, wet leaves, & excess mulch/vegetation
- Move firewood or log piles away from the house
- Trim back trees and shrubs that always shade wet areas
- Seal entry points to the home with silicone, steel wool, or weather strip
- Ensure gutter and downspout systems are draining properly
- Use pest barriers to protect your plans
- Use eco-friendly bait, traps, & pesticides
Call Reliable Pest for Quarterly Pest Control
With our “You’re Covered” or “You’re Covered Plus” quarterly pest prevention programs, you can take proactive measures to deter unwanted pests like earwigs. In addition, this allows our pest control experts to inspect your property to identify other issues regularly. For more information, please book a consultation with us today!