Effective Ways to Prevent and Eliminate Earwigs in House
If you’ve found earwigs in your home, you’re probably wondering why they’re there and how to get rid of them. This guide will help you understand why earwigs enter homes, identify signs of an infestation, and discover ways to eliminate and prevent them.
- Earwigs can be a nuisance in homes, often found in dark, damp areas; signs of infestation include multiple sightings and a noticeable foul odor
- Preventing earwigs requires sealing entry points like cracks and gaps and controlling moisture levels in your home
- Natural remedies like beer traps and diatomaceous earth can help manage earwigs, but professional pest control may be necessary for severe infestations
Understanding Earwigs
Earwigs are easily identifiable by their long, thin bodies, usually dark brown with a reddish head and pale yellow-brown legs. They grow anywhere from 5 mm to 50 mm in length and possess a pair of prominent pincers at the end of their abdomen, which they use for defense and capturing prey. These pincers also play a role in mating displays, adding to their somewhat fearsome appearance.
Despite their menacing look, earwigs are more of a nuisance than a threat. They are nocturnal and hide during the day in dark, damp places, which is why you might find earwigs inside under sinks, in basements, or even in the folds of curtains.
While a few earwigs here and there may not be a cause for alarm, spotting more earwigs frequently could indicate a larger earwig population hiding in your home.
Common Entry Points for Earwigs
Earwigs are adept at finding their way into homes through the tiniest of openings. Common entry points include small cracks in walls, gaps around windows and doors, and unsealed door thresholds. They can even squeeze through spaces less than a quarter of an inch wide. Regular inspection and maintenance can help identify and seal these entry points to prevent an earwig infestation.
Other potential entry points include gaps around utility lines and damaged window screens. Ensuring all screens are intact and using tightly fitting door sweeps can significantly reduce the chances of earwigs getting inside. Sealing these gaps makes your home’s exterior less attractive to earwigs.
Why Earwigs Are Attracted to Homes
Earwigs are particularly drawn to moist environments, which is why you often find them in damp areas like under sinks or in basements. They are scavengers, feeding on organic materials such as garbage, small crumbs, and spilled food, making kitchens and dining areas especially attractive.
Additionally, earwigs seek out dark and damp locations to hide, such as under furniture, in the folds of curtains, and between crevices. Homes with moisture problems, rotted wood, or piles of dead leaves and other debris near the house foundation provide ideal hiding places for earwigs.
Cleaning these areas and controlling moisture regularly can help eliminate conditions that attract earwigs and keep them away.
Signs of an Earwig Infestation
Detecting an earwig infestation early can prevent a minor annoyance from becoming a major problem. One of the most common signs is finding earwigs congregating around kitchen and bathroom baseboards in moist conditions. They also often inhabit damp areas inside homes, such as under wet rugs or in the soil of houseplants.
Seeing a single earwig doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation, but multiple sightings, particularly near indoor light sources at night, can be a strong indicator. Additionally, earwigs may produce a noticeable foul odor when disturbed, which can also signal their presence.
Preventing Earwigs from Entering Your Home
Prevention is key to keeping earwigs out of your home. Start by sealing entry points such as small cracks in walls and gaps around windows and doors. Installing tightly fitting door sweeps and securing window screens are effective measures to block earwig entry. Frequent inspections and maintenance can help you find and seal these entry points.
Controlling moisture levels in your home is also crucial. Maintain proper ventilation, repair leaks, and reduce moisture to deter earwigs. Installing a vapor barrier in dirt-floor crawl spaces can also help by reducing moisture levels. Keeping your home dry and well-sealed will make it less attractive to these pests.
Additionally, ensure rain gutters and downspouts direct water away from the house foundation to prevent damp conditions that attract earwigs. Remove dead leaves, wood chips, rotted wood, and other debris from around your home’s exterior and garden beds, including ornamental plants, to eliminate potential hiding places.
Natural Remedies to Control Earwigs In House
If you prefer natural methods to control earwigs, several effective options exist. Shallow containers filled with beer or soy sauce can act as traps due to their attractive scent, capturing earwigs overnight. Diatomaceous earth, when sprinkled around affected areas, can effectively kill earwigs by damaging their exoskeletons.
Spraying a mixture of water and essential oils like peppermint or lavender can help repel earwigs. Placing bay leaves or crushed garlic cloves in areas where earwigs are noticed can also serve as natural repellents. These remedies are effective and safe for your home environment.
When to Call Professional Pest Control
While natural remedies and preventive measures can be effective, there are times when professional pest control is necessary. If you have a large or persistent earwig infestation, it is advisable to contact a pest control expert for effective management. Professionals utilize stronger insecticides and specialized methods to eliminate earwigs.
Earwigs, with their dark brown bodies, prominent pincers, and reddish heads, can be a significant concern when they invade homes. They typically enter through small cracks, door thresholds, and window sills, seeking damp environments and food sources. Signs of an earwig infestation include a noticeable foul odor and finding earwigs around the house foundation, especially in damp areas.
Preventing earwigs involves sealing small cracks, managing moisture, and clearing dead leaves, wood chips, rotted wood, and other debris around the home’s exterior. Natural remedies for controlling earwigs include using traps, diatomaceous earth, and essential oils to deter them effectively.
If an earwig infestation is severe or persistent, it is advisable to contact Gopher Patrol for professional pest control assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get rid of earwigs?
To get rid of earwigs, try using strong scents like eucalyptus or peppermint around areas where you’ve seen them, as they dislike those fragrances. Beer traps and diatomaceous earth can also be effective. For persistent infestations, chemical pesticides or professional pest control may be necessary.
What are earwigs a warning of?
Earwigs can indicate a potential problem with other pests like carpenter ants or termites in your home. If you see them, it’s a good idea to check for more serious issues involving rotted wood or moisture damage.
Why am I finding earwigs in my house?
You’re likely finding earwigs in your house because they accidentally come in seeking shelter, often during summer months, prolonged dry weather, or fall. They might also hitch a ride on items like boxes or plants. While they’re just a nuisance and harmless to people, their presence can be annoying.
Do earwigs crawl into human ears?
It’s a myth that earwigs crawl into human ear canals; they actually don’t do that. So, no worries there!
Can earwigs bite?
Yes, earwigs can bite, but it’s quite rare, and their bites are typically mild and non-venomous. Earwigs do not harm people in any significant way.
