Earwigs got their name from an old superstition that they would crawl into people's ears as they slept to snack on the tasty brains just beyond. However, there's not a bit of truth to that old wive's tale. This guide sticks to the facts; what an earwig looks like, the problems earwigs cause, why they invade homes, and how to get rid of them for good. Spoiler alert: that last one? The best way to get rid of earwigs is to call a professional Austin pest control company like EnviroGuard for help.
What An Earwig Looks Like
An earwig is a slender brown to reddish-brown bug, ranging from ¼ to 1 inch long, with six legs, two antennae, and two pincers at the end of its abdomen.
Earwigs typically live in cold, damp places. The mulch in your flower beds provides an ideal place for them to make their home. They may do the same in piles of yard debris or under damp fallen leaves. In your home, you may find them in your attic, crawl space, basement, kitchen, bathrooms, or laundry room. Your crawl space and basement will be especially attractive to earwigs if they have dirt floors.
Now that you know what you're looking for, you need to know how to get rid of earwig bugs, which is simple. Call a pest control company such as EnviroGuard to help you eliminate this unwelcome pest.
Earwigs Are More Of A Nuisance Than A Danger
While earwig pincers look frightening, they're primarily used for defense, hunting prey, and reproducing. If you pick up an earwig or threaten it, it may try to pinch you, but you don't need to be concerned about earwig bites.
A lot of people who encounter these bugs wonder, "Can earwigs hurt you?" The answer is no, not really. A pinch, or bite, may be sore for a bit, but it usually doesn't even break the skin. The earwig just wants you to let go of it so it can run away.
What is in danger of earwigs is your garden. Earwigs love to eat seedlings, so if you have a garden, earwigs may treat it as their own buffet restaurant, rendering all your hard work worthless. They're also attracted to light and can become bothersome on your porch or patio at night.
Why Do Earwigs Invade Homes?
You may wind up with an earwig infestation when the weather turns hot, and they can't find anywhere cool enough for their liking outside. Earwigs will sneak in through cracks or crevices in your foundation, weep holes in your brick walls, and small holes in window screens or doors that aren't completely flush. Anywhere you can see light shining through is more than big enough for an earwig to squeeze their way inside.
Earwigs come into your Austin home in search of food. Their diet primarily consists of other insects, mold, flowers, fruits, and leaves. You may find them in your fruit bowl on your kitchen counter or in your houseplants, munching on the leaves.
Since earwigs like damp areas, they'll seek out harborage – places to make their home – near the moisture in your home. You may find them in folded-up towels, cabinets, drawers, storage boxes, or behind sinks and bathtubs.
The Best Way To Keep Earwigs Out Of Your Home
The hands-down best way to get rid of earwigs is to call in a pest control professional. EnviroGuard has a combined 40 years of experience in the pest control industry. Our service professionals are highly trained to recognize where pests like earwigs are entering your home and help you seal those areas up tight. Contact us to get your free quote and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Austin.