Fort Worth, Texas, is a busy city that offers visitors and residents exciting art districts, tasty restaurants, entertaining live music scenes, and fabulous shopping experiences. It also caters to the quieter, more relaxing lifestyle; kayaking, hiking, parks, and trails are available to help you relax and refresh with nature. The local earwig is one of nature's creatures that can hamper your ability to relax. Without pest control in Fort Worth, this funky-looking creature might make everyone a bit stressed.
Earwig Identification Guide
Earwig insects often get judged by their looks. Their intimidation factor often leads to adverse reactions from people. While they might have a bad reputation, they're not dangerous to people at all. Even though earwigs in Fort Worth aren't harmful to people, they can still cause issues around our properties, so identifying and controlling them is essential.
Characteristics to look for when identifying earwigs include:
- They have a deep reddish/brown to black color.
- Their slender bodies are long, measuring around 5/8 inches.
- Their legs can have yellow/brown bands.
- They have flexible and thin antennae.
- They have intimidating-looking pincers (3/16 to 3/8 inches long) at their back end.
Overall, earwigs get labeled as nuisance pests. While they don't spread disease or pose a physical threat to humans, people still don't want them zipping around their properties. To ensure occasional earwig visits don't turn into a full-blown infestation, it's always best to call the pest professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite for removal and prevention services.
The Issues Untreated Earwig Infestations Can Cause
Earwigs are most happy when living outdoors. They are active at night and love cool, moist places and organic matter. People typically find them living under bark, among garden debris, in cracks and crevices, and amongst mulch. Untreated earwigs in the garden can be problematic since they often damage plants like vegetables, fruits, flowers, shrubs, and trees. They chew small holes in the leaves of plants or leave tiny gouges in fruit. Their feeding often injures small plants and kills seedlings.
Inside, earwigs in large numbers can affect indoor plants. They will also visit and sample sweet, greasy, and oily foods that get left out. Another problem with earwigs indoors is that if people handle them carelessly, there is a chance they could experience a mild pinch – though again, these are not considered dangerous or even particularly painful. Earwigs also give off a nasty odor when they get squished. Whether large populations are outdoors or indoors, earwigs that are left untreated can cause unpleasant issues for property owners. The pest experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite are nearby and have solutions to earwig issues that are safe and effective.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of An Earwig Problem
It is always best to enlist help from a pest professional like All-Safe Pest & Termite to get rid of earwigs. Our family-owned and operated company has handled termite and pest problems in the Fort Worth area for over 30 years, and we are known for our professional and friendly services. We work daily to show our valued customers that we appreciate your trust in our company to resolve pest problems. If you're looking for fast and effective home pest control solutions for your pest and earwig problems, call All-Safe Pest & Termite experts today for a free estimate.
How To Prevent Future Earwig Problems
Deterring earwigs from your property comes down to removing or fixing things around your property that attract them. Property owners can help keep earwigs outside where they belong with some simple steps.
Five simple steps to prevent earwig infestations include:
- Ensure gutters are clean and drain well away from foundations.
- Limit vegetation, leaf litter, and organic materials close to buildings.
- Use weatherstripping or caulking to repair cracks, gaps, and crevices around buildings.
- Check vegetables, plants, and flowers before bringing them inside.
- Fix plumbing issues indoors and use a dehumidifier in moist or damp areas.
When and if earwigs manage to skirt your preventative measures and start causing problems around your property, it's time to call the professionals. With All-Safe Pest & Termite, we've got your back; we can quickly respond to earwig infestations and provide effective removal services.