Pests of all kinds are surrounded in myth and folklore, and earwigs are no exception. Hundreds of years ago, Europeans believed that these grotesque-looking insects would crawl into the ear canals of sleeping people, lay their eggs, and then bore into that person’s brain. Fortunately, none of that is true, but earwigs are still pests capable of invading our Sugar Land homes here in Texas.
How To Identify Earwigs In Sugar Land
While earwigs are rather beneficial to our ecosystem (as they scavenge for other organic material, such as eggs left by other insects), they are still not insects we want in our homes. If earwigs have invaded your home, here are some of the things you might notice:
- Foul odor: If an earwig is scared or crushed, they produce a yellowish-brown secretion, which releases a foul, distinct odor. If this odor is present in your home, it is possible earwigs are present.
- Presence of food source: If you have other insects in your garden or home, and they are laying eggs, earwigs are likely to follow, as they feed on the larvae of other insects. Earwigs are also fond of dead plants and leaves, and having them in your yard and in your home, such as in a shoe or mudroom, could indicate the presence of earwigs.
- Moist areas and leaky pipes: Earwigs are likely to be found in areas of your home where the air is moist, and where leaky pipes may be present. Therefore, if you have areas like this in your home, this is a sign that earwigs may be present, as they prefer to live in cool, damp areas.
What Attracts Earwigs To Sugar Land Homes?
The first step to keeping earwigs out of your home is to know what attracts them to it in the first place. One of the first things you should do if you suspect earwigs are present is to inspect your yard. If you have a lot of decaying, organic debris in your yard, such as leaves and logs, it is very likely earwigs will be present, as two of their main food sources are leaves and wood.
Additionally, if you have other insects present in your yard and home, earwigs are likely to follow, as earwigs are known to feed on the larvae of other insects. Earwigs thrive in cool, damp environments, so if your bathroom or kitchen sink has leaky pipes or other areas of your house have a lot of moisture in the air, earwigs will find this appealing and try to invade.
Three Eco-Friendly Earwig Prevention Tips For Sugar Land Homes
There are several things you can do to prevent earwig infestations in your Sugar Land home without ever touching a single chemical. Here are some ways to naturally prevent earwigs:
- Fix leaky pipes: Go around your house and ensure any leaky pipes are fixed and the area has been cleaned up. Stopping the buildup of moisture in the air will make your house less appealing to earwigs.
- Yard cleanup: Remove all the dead organic debris from your yard. Rake up all leaves and bag them up, disposing of them properly. Clean up any logs and sticks and make sure to maintain regular maintenance.
- Learn to prevent other insects from invading your home: If there are other insects present in your home, learn what attracts them and work to implement natural prevention strategies first. This will prevent earwigs from wanting to invade your home, as they will feed on the larvae of those insects.
How To Get Rid Of Earwigs In Your Sugar Land Home
If earwigs have already invaded your Sugar Land home, the best thing to do is to call us at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Here, we take pride in our techniques and guarantee the effectiveness of all our services. Our expert technicians are armed with the skills and tools required to safely and effectively exterminate earwig infestations in your Sugar Land home. We know how overwhelming it can be to own a home — let us handle the pest control. Call us today!