Living in Europe in the 1600s must have been tough. At the time they thought earwigs actually crawled into people’s heads through their ears. Not only did they believe earwigs got into ears, they believed they could get to people’s brains and cause death. Thank goodness this has been long proven to be incorrect. The question is, how dangerous are earwigs really? Can they kill you, or are they no more than a harmless household pest?
What Are Earwigs?
There are many different species of earwigs here in the United States, 20 to be precise. Earwigs are best identified by the large pincher at the rear of their ¼- to 1-inch-long bodies and the distinct yellow color of their legs. Earwigs also have a pair of long antennae that protrude from their head. As for color, earwigs can range from pale brown with dark markings to reddish-brown to black. Despite being equipped with two pairs of wings, most earwigs cannot fly, or at least are bad at it. The ones that can fly only can do so for short distances.
Where You Are Likely To Encounter Earwigs
Earwigs live on a diet of plant life, softer fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and certain flowers. This makes them primarily outdoor pests. When outside you are most likely to encounter earwigs around flower beds, gardens, and greenhouses. If you like to grow your own fruits and vegetables, earwigs will be much more likely to be around.
When inside homes, earwigs gravitate towards humid areas and indoor ornamental plants. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms are all common places to find earwigs. More specifically, earwigs will hide in stacked newspapers, under sink cabinets, beneath wet carpeting, and around baseboards.
Problems Earwigs Cause
Earwigs are not aggressive pests and will only pinch you if directly handled. The biggest problem earwigs present is the way they damage gardens and flower beds. Due to their diet, earwigs can cause significant damage to plant life. Earwigs in your home, although not a direct problem, can be a sign of more serious issues. What do we mean by this? Well, earwigs love moisture. If you are finding a large number of them in your home, there is a good chance moisture damage is happening right beyond where you can see. This is made even worse if termites are present as they love nothing more than chewing on wood that has been water damaged or is rotting.
Earwig-Prevention Tips
To keep earwigs off your yard and out of your home, here are some prevention tips our team of experts recommends.
- Check your home’s exterior and fill in any gaps or cracks you find using a caulking gun.
- Repair more significant damage to your home that might allow pests like earwigs inside.
- Make sure your window and door screens are rip and tear-free.
- Have door sweeps installed under all exterior doors leading out of your home.
- Trim back tree branches and vegetation from your home’s exterior.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
- Eliminate sources of standing water that could be negatively affecting the wood of your home.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers indoors to keep humidity levels down.
The Best Way To Deter Earwigs From Your Home
If you are looking for the absolute best way to keep earwigs out of your home, we have detailed solutions for you here at Big Blue Bug Solutions. Our team of dedicated professionals have been dealing with pests for decades and would be happy to share our success with your home.
Give us a call today to join our family and find your freedom from earwigs.