Earwigs are a type of pest known as “occasional invaders.” These pests aren’t likely to invade your home under normal conditions, but changes in the environment, inability to find food in the wild, and other similar circumstances may drive them inside.
It’s important you know how to deal with these pests effectively so that this article will focus on the basics of earwig control in the Houston area. We’ll talk about the general biology and habits of these pests in the first section. After that, we’ll move on to discussing whether or not these pests present a danger to you and your family. Then, we’ll give you some practical advice to help you prevent earwigs from gaining entry to your home in the first place.
Finally, we’ll go over the best way to handle any pest in Houston – working with the pros at All-Safe Pest & Termite to get rid of them. We’re committed to helping local homeowners live happy, pest-free lives.
Earwigs 101: Biology And Behaviors
To start, let’s talk about earwigs, what they look like, and how they behave. Earwigs are insects with long, flat bodies. They are usually between a 1/4 to 1 inch long and range in color from pale brown to reddish brown to black. Earwigs have six legs and two long antennae almost half as long as their bodies. They also have pincers on the back side of their abdomens.
You often find earwigs in cold, wet areas, such as under piles of wet leaves, mulch, or other debris. They mainly eat decaying vegetation and plant matter, but some species of earwigs will eat insects or arthropods. When outside, earwigs tend to live together in large numbers.
Next, let’s take a look at why you might want to get rid of earwigs.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
Fortunately, earwigs aren’t as dangerous as they might appear. Contrary to a common myth, these insects don’t crawl into people’s ears while they sleep. They also don’t carry diseases, and while they may pinch when handled, their pincers usually aren’t strong enough to break skin. Some species of earwigs produce a bad-smelling liquid in self-defense. The biggest threat earwigs pose is actually to plants, not people, as they will eat seeds and destroy gardens or houseplants.
In the next section, we’ll talk about what you can do to prevent earwig infestations.
Tips To Minimize Earwig Activity Around Your Houston Home
Earwigs can cause a good deal of annoyance for homeowners who aren’t prepared to deal with them. Luckily, a few simple preventative measures will help you reduce the risk of finding earwigs in your home. Here’s how to keep earwigs out:
- Seal any cracks or crevices found in the exterior of your home.
- Get rid of leaf piles, excess mulch, and other landscaping materials on your property.
- Make sure gutters and downspouts are draining water away from your home.
- Trim any trees or shrubs that cause damp, shady areas around the house.
Following these steps should help you keep earwigs away from your Houston home. If you need help removing these pests for good, you can always call All-Safe Pest & Termite.
Your One-Stop Solution For Earwigs And Other Pests In Houston
When dealing with earwigs, it’s often best to contact a professional pest control company to help you ensure you’ve completely gotten rid of them. Here at All-Safe Pest & Termite, we’re passionate about helping our community with all manner of pests. We’ve been providing top-notch service since 1984, growing into the largest independent pest control company in the area and receiving thousands of 5-star reviews.
Contact us today to learn more about our earwig removal services.