What do earwigs look like?
Earwigs in Pennsylvania range from 0.2 to 1 inch in length and have long, flat bodies that allow them to squeeze into tight spaces. Their coloration can vary, typically appearing dark brown, black, reddish-brown, or yellowish, depending on the species. Earwigs have long antennae on their heads and distinctive pincers at the rear end of their bodies, which they use for defense and handling food.
Are earwigs harmful?
Earwigs are not harmful to humans. Despite their pincers, they lack the strength to break human skin. They cannot bite or sting and are considered more of a nuisance than a danger. In fact, they pose no threat to people, pets, or your home’s structure.
Do earwigs crawl into ears?
Contrary to popular myths, earwigs do not crawl into human ears. While their name might suggest otherwise, earwigs do not have the ability to tunnel through flesh or bones, nor do they seek out ear canals to lay eggs. They prefer environments that provide moisture and food, such as decaying wood, not the inside of your ear.
Can earwigs cause damage?
While earwigs don't cause direct harm to homes, they can signal underlying moisture issues within your home or crawl space. A moisture problem can lead to wood rot, which attracts pests like carpenter ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles—pests that can seriously damage your property. If you see earwigs, it’s a good idea to address any moisture problems to prevent further damage.
What attracts earwigs to home?
Earwigs are attracted to environments that are damp and offer shelter. Common attractants include:
- Moist areas like stacked logs, brush piles, and leaf litter near your home.
- Broken or clogged gutters that lead to damp soil around your foundation.
- Wet piles of cardboard, paper, or other organic debris.
- Decaying wood around your home, such as wood timbers or mulch.
- Obstructed areas where humidity is high, like clogged drains or areas with plumbing leaks.
These conditions create a welcoming environment for earwigs, making it important to keep your yard clean and dry to reduce the risk of an infestation.
How do I get rid of earwigs?
If you spot earwigs in your home or on your property, call in the local pest control experts. Evergreen Pest Solutions offers professional pest control services to remove earwigs and prevent further infestations. We can provide effective treatments tailored to your specific needs, ensuring your home stays pest-free.
How can I prevent an earwig infestation?
Prevention is key when it comes to earwigs. Here’s how to make your home and property less appealing:
- Remove brush piles, logs, stored items, and other objects in your yard.
- Keep grass trimmed to reduce protection from the sun and humidity near the soil.
- Remove leaves and other organic debris.
- Clean your gutters and repair your gutter system.
- Seal potential entry points using a caulking gun or cans of expanding foam.
- Repair plumbing issues that can cause damp conditions outdoors or indoors.
- Encapsulate your crawl space if you have one.
- Address humidity inside your home to keep earwigs from exploring your interior.
All of these steps will give you significant protection against earwig infestations. For greater protection, consider a pest control service plan. A service plan comes with routine service visits. When we routinely visit your property, we evaluate pest pressures, consider conducive conditions, apply exclusion materials, target key pest populations, apply a perimeter treatment, and more. There is no better or easier way to keep earwigs, carpenter ants, termites, and other pests out of your home. Connect with us today to learn more.
