Would you sleep soundly at night if you knew your home had an earwig infestation? Just the thought of these pests burrowing into a person's head and laying their eggs is enough to cause anyone distress. The question is, do earwigs really do this? We are going to be talking about these pests today and providing you with some helpful information to keep earwigs out of your home. Call us now if you are up against an active earwig infestation in your house and are looking for immediate assistance. We would be happy to send a technician your way with a fast and easy solution to your pest problems.
What Does An Earwig Look Like?
An adult earwig is one inch long, dark brown, and has six yellow legs and a large rear pincer. Baby earwigs, also known as nymphs, are much smaller and lighter in color. You are most likely to find earwigs hiding inside your garden or mulched areas around your property. These pests spend time in these areas because they provide shelter and moisture. Although equipped with a large pincer, earwigs do not go out of their way to attack humans or other animals. They only use this weapon defensively when they feel trapped or threatened. One thing you should know about earwigs is that they do not crawl into people’s ears. This is a myth that was disproved decades ago.
What Do Earwigs Eat?
Earwigs eat a variety of things including insects, plants, and decaying organic matter. Some common insects earwigs hunt for are boxelder bugs, lady beetles, and crickets. When earwigs feed on plants, they often leave damage behind. Ragged holes chewed through plant tissue is one common sign of earwig damage.
Unlike many other pests that live in Texas, earwigs do not invade homes to find food. Most often they come inside accidentally. Once indoors, earwigs will eventually starve to death if they do not find indoor plants to feed on or a way back outside.
Five Helpful Tips To Keep Earwigs Away
If you are looking for how to prevent earwigs, one thing you should look into is DIY strategies. To save you some research, here are five helpful tips to keep these pests away from your Texas home.
- Thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home for gaps, cracks, and holes. Seal off these potential entry points using a caulking gun and some silicone caulk.
- Inspect the condition of your home’s window/door screens. Repair or replace any screens that are damaged.
- Make sure all of your exterior doors are protected with weatherstripping and door sweeps.
- Clear out a five-foot perimeter around your home’s exterior to reduce moisture.
- Address moisture problems inside your home like leaky piping, high humidity, and water build-up inside sinks and bathtubs.
How To Keep Earwigs Out Of Your Home For Good
When it comes to getting rid of earwigs, one option is better than the rest; professional pest control. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we put great effort into ensuring members of our community have access to high-quality pest inspections, pest elimination, and control services. If you would allow us, we will check your home for pest pressures, identify entry points, address any existing pest problems, and put in place advanced control measures to keep future invaders at bay. Finding freedom from invasive species has never been easier.
Call today to discover more about our services and schedule an appointment for your Texas home and property. We will answer any questions you have and show you why so many people choose us for their Texas pest control needs.