How to Avoid Earwigs? Are They Threats to Humans?

Aug 17

At some point most people may have heard about earwigs. These insects are connected to certain urban myths. Find out the truth about earwigs, including how to get rid of them. This ends up in calling exterminators.

How Do They Look?

The earwigs usually are about 1⁄4-1 inch long, with black or brown bodies on their exoskeletons, six legs, antennae, wings, and leathery looks. However, their most remarkable feature is the pincers attached to their belly's back. This is an aspect that often makes homeowners disturbing. These are mainly for reproduction, food hunting and self-defense purposes. It might try to pinch you if you pick up an earwig. Do not worry, however, these are not poisonous, do not carry disease, and your fingers are unlikely to break your skin.

Where Do They Live?

Earwigs are nocturnal, they choose to hide during the day in cold and damp places and come out at night to get food. Often they are found in the piles of leaves and mulch, in holes in the trees or in the soil, in small cracks and inside near sources of water. Usually they live in large numbers together and often run away when they are discovered and exposed. They enter your home through small cracks and gaps in walls that are unfinished or not fully sealed. Earwigs being pulled by leaves and dirt, they can take refuge in the soil debris which the soles of your shoes have tracked in the home. If you find these around the home call insect exterminator.

The Food

Vegetation is usually eaten by the earwigs like leaves and flowers and especially by dead or decaying plants. They hunt and eat other arthropods and insects as well. They seek food at night and can pose a risk to the garden as seedlings and fruit are known to eat. Unlike the traditional urban legend, Earwigs do not crawl in their brains into human ears during the night.

Controlling the Earwigs

Earwigs don't harm people, but you don't want them at home. They are harmful to people. You could just sweep it away and then vacuum thoroughly if you see just one of these insects from time to time.

However, you'll be looking for support from a professional pest control service or exterminator if you start suspect infestation or would like to help prevent bugs like these from entering your home in the first place. A trained technician can assess your problem and help you to personalize a plan for pesticide control to fit your needs.

Moreover, you can take a number of steps to make your home less attractive for young people:

Do not decorate your yard with stones under which earwigs can hide.
Don't lay down mulch in more than two-inch deep layers.
Leave a one foot barrier to your foundation or structure walls between your grass and shrubbery.
Clean the gutters.
Tidy your yard, removing or removing piles of organic debris from your house or other buildings, such as branches or leaves.
Check your house's perimeter and seal any cracks or entry points through which earwigs can glide.
Install dehumidifiers in the house's damp areas.
Have a professional fixed leaky faucets or plumbing.
Do not leave pet food or water at night outdoors.
Store food in containers that are insect proof.
Remove counter and stovetop water from the spills.