Earwig Control: Great Tips on Earwigs and Prevention
Have you been noticing an earwig infestation in your house? Find out how to control and prevent an earwig infestation today.
Earwig control: You’ve been seeing a type of insect around your home lately. You normally find these insects in your kitchen or bathroom and after completing some research, you believe you might have an earwig infestation. As a homeowner, you’re always on the lookout for anything that might be damaging your home.
Pests infestations are one of those things that homeowners dread. Realizing that you might have an infestation isn’t the best thing that’s happened to you this week, but the positive is that you were able to discover it before it got out of hand. At this point in time, you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, but you know you need to find a solution.
You find yourself wondering a few questions.
What are earwigs?
How do you identify them?
Why are they in my home, and how do I control earwigs and prevent them from coming back?
If you’ve found these insects in your home, then you’ll need to continue reading below. Here’s everything you need to know about earwigs and getting them out of your home!
Earwig Characteristics and Habits
There are different species of this insect, but the most common one found inside homes is a dark brown color. Some species also have wings while others do not. Some features that stand out from other insects, however, are their pinchers found at the end of their abdomen.
Males have large pinchers that curve, while females have smaller pinchers that are straight. Upon seeing this insect, you may think that it’s likely to pinch you. They don’t use these pinchers for pinching humans.
The pinchers are used for capturing prey, defending themselves, and folding back their wings. Because they can be a defensive mechanism, there’s always a chance of being pinched if you’re messing with an earwig, but it won’t go out of its way to pinch you. And although some species have wings, you most likely won’t catch one flying.
The abdomen of this insect is flat and narrow with antennae, giving them the perfect shape to fit in small cracks. It’s common to find these pests in kitchens or bathrooms because they enjoy damp atmospheres. If you’re on an active search for them, be sure to check any damp areas in your home at night.
These insects are nocturnal and usually can’t be found until nighttime.
Earwig Damage
When we think about the name, “earwig,” we believe that these insects are known for entering our ears. If you’ve noticed them around your home, then you might even be worried that they’re finding their ways into your ears at night.
Fortunately, this isn’t the case. They do not crawl into human ears as their main goal is to find a moist warm place with water and food. Your ears aren’t this place.
Although just like with any other small insect, it’s possible for them to crawl into your ear if given the chance, but it’s not likely. Earwigs also won’t cause much damage to your home either. The most damage inside your home that they’ll cause is ruining house plants.
Sometimes they can put off a foul odor that might be noticeable to homeowners as well, but you won’t have to worry about them causing physical damages to your home. They’re more a nuisance than anything else as no one wants to stumble across insects running through their home.
Earwig Infestation Causes
Earwigs enjoy damp atmospheres and feed on other small insects and plants. Their favorite place to live is outdoors, so if you’re finding some inside your home, then there’s a reason. If the weather outside is damp and there’s a lack of food, they might travel inside for search of moisture and food.
They do travel in groups, so keep in mind that if you see one, there are more lingering around. They enter your home through small cracks or gaps that lead inside. These cracks could be around your exterior doors and the door frame.
They can also make their way through gaps in your home’s foundation, unscreened vents, and other access points both big and small. There are even circumstances where they’re are brought into your home by accident such as in plants, newspapers, and more.
It’s also important to keep in mind that they’re attracted to the light. When they come out at night, if they notice lights on your porch or inside your home and have a way of getting to them, they will. If you have a light on in your bathroom with the window open while showering at night, then you’re sending out a personal invitation to earwigs to come to join you.
Undesired temperatures outside will also cause them to seek shelter in your home as they look for warmth. Before winter comes, consider doing an inspection of your home for earwig entry points. Seal all possible entry points before the winter months come.
Earwig Prevention
Preventing earwigs from entering a home is the first step to take if you’re worried about an infestation. Effective earwig control begins with earwig prevention. Because they’re drawn to damp areas inside a home, it’s best to keep such areas as dry as possible at all times. For example, after taking a shower, wipe down the shower walls with a towel and dry the floor as well.
If a home’s foundation or basement normally remain moist, take extra care to ensure these places are kept dry as well. These pests can come through windows and window cracks when given the opportunity, so be sure to install weather stripping and window screens to keep them out.
If you do find any cracks, be sure to seal them. Correcting cracks in windows and doors will be beneficial in keeping pests out. Vacuuming on a weekly or daily basis will also help keep these insects out of your home.
They are quick to run if they notice you trying to vacuum them, but if you’re able to vacuum them then you’re stopping the colony from growing. You should also take the time to empty your home’s trash bin frequently. As the trash in your kitchen grows, it’ll attract these insects inside your home.
Earwig Control
Preventative steps are essential for stopping more earwigs from entering your home, but once they’re inside, how do you get them out? Fixing all of the things that made your home attractive to them in the first place is a good starting point. For example, if your home has a leaking faucet in the bathroom, but you correct it and keep the bathroom dry, earwigs won’t want to stay around much longer.
However, there are times when these pests seem to be more stubborn than we’d like them to be. When this is the case, it’s time to seek out the help of a professional pest control service. As a customer with an infestation problem, you’ll have a few choices.
You can choose to have quarterly services, bi-monthly services, or a once-time service. Be sure to speak with the professionals who can help you decide which option is the best choice for your unique situation. After deciding what’s right for you, here’s what you can expect:
The pest control techniques used include liquid and granular insecticide technology. The liquid technology will address your infestation problem immediately. Earwig control is not difficult when using effective insecticides.
The granular insecticide technology creates a weather-resistant backup for you to keep your home protected for weeks to come. However, with our professional services and your new knowledge of preventative care, you should have your home back in no time!
Stop the Infestation Now
If you believe your home might be suffering from an earwig infestation, then it’s time to stop it now! You’ll find plenty of ways online to get rid of earwigs, but if you want the job done the right way, you’ll need to contact the professionals.
Synergy² is dedicated to getting your home back to its original condition: insect-free. We’ll use cutting edge insecticide technology to ensure your home is free from these insects and remains free of these insects.
Are you located in one of these service areas and need professional help ridding your home of earwigs? Click here to see our residential price list or to request a quote on earwig control!
If you want to know more about earwigs and other pests such as silverfish please visit our site at https://synergy2ms.com. Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 200 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here!