Earwigs get their name from a myth that they would crawl into people's ears and lay eggs. While this isn't true, you probably don't want them in your house. These creepy-looking pests don't threaten your health or home, but they can be a nuisance and cause trouble with your plants. When these pests get into your home, you'll need assistance from Pensacola pest control professionals. Keep reading to learn more about earwigs.
Earwigs Are A Very Creepy Looking Pest
Most earwigs are less than an inch long but are scary-looking pests in your house. They feature long antennas that are half the length of their bodies. Behind their six legs are pincers in the back of their abdomen. The appearance of these pests makes it seem like they would be a danger to anyone that came close to them, but this a misconception.
There are over 2,000 different species of earwigs worldwide, and they reside on every continent except Antarctica. There are 20 species in the United States, and they usually invade landscaping. Despite their creepy appearance, these pests are relatively harmless to people.
Earwigs Are More Of A Nuisance Than A Danger
Earwigs usually enter homes during the summer but won't cause any trouble if they get inside. Rather than using their pincers for attacking or defense, they use them to grab objects. However, since they can't close them hard, they won't cause any trouble by pinching.
While these pests aren't a threat to your home, they can cause problems in your garden. They'll infest these areas to feed on flowers, seedings, and soft fruits. Some of the most vulnerable fruits include:
- Apricots
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
When earwigs feel threatened, they might emit a foul-smelling liquid from their abdomen as a defense mechanism. Other than the stench, it doesn't cause any harm. While these pests don't directly cause problems, they can indicate additional issues because they eat insects. If you notice an earwig infestation in your house, it's a good idea to have a professional pest inspection to determine if there are any other pest concerns.
Simple Yet Effective Earwig Prevention Tips
The potential release of their foul odor is enough to want to keep them out of your home. Like many pests, preventing entry is an easy way to avoid the problems they cause. Since they're attracted to food, water, and shelter, removing these attractants can help you prevent an infestation. Some simple earwig control tips include:
- Remove leaves or mulch from around your home.
- Keep firewood away from your structure.
- Divert water away from the foundation of your house.
- Seal potential entry points around your exterior.
If these prevention tips don't work and you see these pests in your house, you should call the professionals to get them out. Dependable pest control professionals will inspect your property to find these pests and use the best methods to remove them.
The Most Effective Way To Keep Earwigs Away From Your Home
The previously-mentioned tips can help to keep earwigs away from your Pensacola home, but effective prevention is an ongoing task. The easiest and best option is to call professionals to get rid of earwigs and prevent future invasions from occurring.
While earwigs don't threaten your safety, they can be an annoyance around your property. Our service professionals at EnviroGuard have the knowledge and tools to find these pests in your home. We use the best products and techniques to remove the insects and take preventative steps to stop future earwig infestations. Call us to discover how we keep your Pensacola house earwig-free.