With a little knowledge or advice, fears can sometimes settle down; this is certainly true when it comes to insects and other creatures. If a Fort Worth home or business owner knew for certain how to block a pest from invading their property, they would be less worried about an invasion. Widely dispersed information about pest prevention and elimination can give people peace of mind.
Creepy crawlers that aren't talked about as much, however, cause great distress. Folks can be at a loss as how to handle an infestation.
For example, there's not a lot of talk about earwigs. People don't know if the insects should be approached, or even if they're dangerous. Further, it's not clear how to ward them off or get rid of earwigs once they take over your property. Also, some say that earwigs slip into our ears when we're sleeping. Find out more about this and how All-Safe Pest & Termite can lend a hand.
How Do Earwigs Look & Behave? What Are The Risks?
Earwigs can be as small as half an inch and reach up to an inch in length. They have flat, slender bodies that are reddish-brown. Though they have two pairs of wings, the majority of them are unable to fly. Protruding from their stomachs are two pincers they use for self-defense and to capture prey. They also utilize these appendages during reproduction. In the course of these three activities, earwigs release a foul-smelling liquid. If you happen to be on the other end of their pincers, you'll experience dull pain and a thin scratch, but your skin isn't likely to be broken. Contrary to their mythology, these insects don't penetrate ears.
Earwigs are outdoor bugs and mainly do damage to crops and lawns. They consume greenery, sprouts, and decaying vegetation, as well as other insects. Dark areas that are cool and moist are where they lay eggs. You're bound to find them around mulch and gardens and beneath logs and rocks.
Additional key details about earwigs are:
- They are nocturnal.
- They can run extremely fast.
- They tend to come indoors when the weather is very dry.
- If they enter your property, they'll prefer to be in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.
- Infestations are pretty rare, even though earwigs gather in large groups.
How Can Earwigs Be Prevented?
Earwigs are quite prevalent in the Fort Worth area, so you'll have to put effort into keeping them at bay. While they're not a critical threat to human life, they are not welcome on our properties. Beyond that, the possibility of being pricked by their pincers or smelling their stinky odors is enough incentive to try and keep them away.
- Don't use soil around your property's perimeter; lay gravel down instead.
- Wood, rocks, and plants should be two feet away from exterior doors.
- Trim your grass, plants, and shrubs with regularity.
- Direct downspouts and gutters away from foundations.
- Add sweeps to all doors that face the outside.
- Seal openings near windows, doors, and foundations.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce warmth.
- Avoid using white outdoor lights because they attract earwigs. Yellow bulbs are better.
- Examine flowers, packages, newspapers, and outdoor furniture before pulling them indoors.
- Use airtight containers for food storage.
What Can All-Safe Pest & Termite Do About Earwigs?
All-Safe Pest & Termite have won several customer service awards because we put our patrons first. We price our plans with consideration for your budget. Our treatments are specific to the critter in question and are safe for humans and pets. The technicians coming to your Fort Worth property for pest control are experienced and skilled. Earwigs won't survive. We guarantee it. Call us today for a free quote!