Commercial and Residential Pest Control Services | Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co., Inc.
You’ve probably seen them before: those creepy-crawly little insects that seem to appear out of nowhere and send a shiver of disgust through your body. While they are harmless to humans, earwigs can cause a good deal of mental discomfort if you find them around your home. Today we’ll discuss the basics of earwigs, including what they look like, where they live, what they eat, and how to get rid of them.
Earwigs are pincher bugs typically about 1/4-1 inch long, with brown or black bodies, six legs, antennae, wings, and a leathery appearance on their exoskeletons. The most notable feature they possess, however, is the pincers attached to the rear of their abdomens. This is a feature that is often disturbing to homeowners. However, their pincers aren’t used for pinching humans.
Earwigs don’t bite, but if you pick one up, it may try to pinch you. Luckily, earwigs are not poisonous and don’t spread disease, and their pincers are highly unlikely to break skin. Instead, these pincers are mainly used for reproduction purposes, hunting food, and self-defense.
Earwigs are usually nocturnal, choosing to hide in cold, moist, dark places during the day and emerging at night to feed. They can often be found in mulch and leaf piles, in holes in trees or the ground, near rotting wood, under rocks, and other small crevices. They usually live together in large numbers, and will often scurry away if discovered and exposed.
If they get into your house, it will be through tiny cracks and crevices in walls or through basements that are unfinished or not completely sealed in. They may also be found around crawl spaces, laundry rooms, or places where food sources are readily available. Since earwigs tend to be attracted to dirt and leaves, they may take refuge in ground debris tracked into the home by the soles of your shoes.
Typically, earwigs invade when they are threatened in their natural habitat. For example, after large amounts of rain, earwigs may flee inside in large numbers.
Earwigs commonly eat vegetation such as leaves and flowers, and particularly enjoy dead or decaying plant matter and debris. They also hunt and eat other insects and arthropods. They search for food at night, and can present a danger to gardens because they are known to eat seedlings, fruit, and other plant material. Contrary to the old urban legend that gives them their name, earwigs do not crawl into human ears at night to eat their brains or lay eggs.
Earwigs are often drawn indoors by light, changing weather, and the need for new sources of food. You may find them near sinks and showers where there is excess moisture, but they are also known to find their way into living spaces like living rooms and bedrooms. To prevent earwigs from entering your home, make sure that you properly seal all exterior cracks with caulk and/or mesh sealants.
Also, make sure to keep decaying organic material, wood piles, mulch, and tree branches away from the walls of your home, as these places provide a home for earwigs. Maintaining your flower beds and garden plants regularly can also help control earwig populations around your home. The closer they are to your home, the more likely they are to find their way in.
If you find that your earwig problem is out of hand, or that other pests are infesting your home, don’t hesitate to call in the pest control professionals! At Dodson Pest Control, our 80 years of experience with eradicating pests makes us capable of getting rid of your earwig infestation quickly and thoroughly.
