One of the more mysterious pests that we need to worry about here in Worcester is the earwig. The reason they are so shrouded in mystery has to do with the many rumors that surround these enigmatic pests. Perhaps you’ve heard earwigs climb into people’s ears, burrow down into their brains, and lay eggs. Perhaps not. No matter what you have or haven’t heard about earwigs, you probably have some questions about them and what they mean for your Worcester home. When the good people of Worcester have pest questions, the pros here at Big Blue Bug Solutions have pest answers. So, without further ado, here are the answers to your most-asked earwig questions.
Do Earwigs Burrow Into Ears?
Of all the questions people have about earwigs, this one always seems to top the list. So, at the risk of being anti-climactic, I must inform you that, no, earwigs do not climb into people’s ears and burrow down into their brains. This is but a wives’ tale that is responsible for the misleading name of the earwig. Earwigs are no more likely to crawl into your ear than any other bug. As such, you can be a little more at ease with earwigs in general. However, just because they don’t burrow down into people’s ears, that doesn’t mean they don’t come without their drawbacks.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
Although earwigs do not enter into people’s ears and burrow down into their brains, that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous in other ways. For instance, earwigs do have pincers, and they are capable of pinching with them. However, their pinches aren’t all that powerful and they rarely break the skin. Moreover, earwigs aren’t known to spread any sort of disease and, therefore, are not considered to be all that dangerous. They are most often considered to be nuisance pests. However, that doesn’t mean you want earwigs living inside of your Worcester home.
What Attracts Earwigs Into Homes?
After the more farfetched questions about earwigs are answered, people typically want to know the more practical answers regarding these unwanted pests. As such, you want to know why earwigs might enter your Worcester home in the first place. Earwigs are attracted to moisture and humidity. Therefore, if you are dealing with moisture issues in your home, you could find yourself dealing with an earwig infestation. Moisture issues can arise for several different reasons. Most often the culprit is poor ventilation in areas such as attics, basements, closets, and storage spaces. Some other common causes of moisture buildup include leaking pipes, leaking faucets, and clogged drains.
How Can You Prevent Earwigs From Entering Your Home?
To keep earwigs from entering your Worcester home, you should take steps toward addressing the causes of any moisture issues in or around your property. Furthermore, sealing off potential entry points can also help to keep these pests out of your home. To accomplish these goals effectively, you should:
- Use dehumidifiers throughout your home, especially in areas with poor ventilation.
- Repair any leaking pipes or fixtures.
- Ensure all drain pipes are working properly.
- Fill in cracks in your home’s foundation with caulk.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
How Do You Kill Earwigs?
If you find yourself dealing with an earwig infestation in your Worcester home, contact the trained pest professionals here at Big Blue Bug Solutions for assistance. With quality pest control treatments that you can count on, Big Blue Bug Solutions should be your go-to solution for any pest infestation with which you are dealing. Furthermore, we also offer ongoing treatment plans to ensure your Worcester home remains pest-free all year long. Have a problem with earwigs? Give us a call now to get started with a solution that works for you.