If you are proud of your home and garden in Dallas, know that earwigs will eventually visit. If you frequently see these insects or have an earwig infestation in your house, contact All-Safe Pest & Termite for Dallas pest control to get rid of earwigs.
Contrary to the name, the earwig bug is not a dangerous threat to humans, nor do they crawl inside the ear canal. However, do earwigs pinch? Read on to learn more.
Earwigs Are A Very Creepy Looking Pest
There are many types of earwigs in the United States. In Dallas, the ring-legged earwig, the riparian earwig, the linear earwig, and the brown-winged earwig are common.
You may spot these pests hanging around your garden plants, flowerpots, stored boxes, or firewood. The following characteristics can help you identify them:
- Earwig wings are short and have a leathery texture. The second set of membranous wings typically folds underneath the first set.
- The body of the earwig is long and flat and ranges from brown to black. It may have visible stripes or yellow or red areas.
- The antennae are slender and long, and the pincer at the end of the abdomen has a fearsome appearance. However, a pinch from this insect is weak and not painful or dangerous.
- If you step on an earwig, it will produce a strong odor.
So, what attracts earwigs? Earwigs in Dallas are more common outdoors, feeding on vegetation, hiding in yard debris, or seeking areas with warmth and moisture. But this pest may invade your home because of bright lighting or wander through open spaces.
Why You Don’t Want Earwigs Crawling Around Your Home
It’s not only an eyesore having earwigs spotted around your home. They can create unique problems. What do earwigs eat? When you have this insect in your garden, they’ll feast on herbs, fruit, vegetables, mites, and aphids or find other sources of sustenance. Inside a home, they feed on food waste and alternatives like flour or cookies.
So, where do earwigs live? Once inside your home, they may hide under the firewood, in boxes, in the kitchen, the basement, and in the bathroom; earwigs like damp areas with plenty of moisture. Also, as the seasons change, earwigs may venture inside to seek shelter to survive. You may notice more earwigs coming into your home when autumn arrives.
Five No-Sweat Earwig Prevention Tips For Around The House
Keep pesky earwigs out of your Dallas home and garden. Try the following tips to thwart earwigs:
- Remove sources of moisture from standing buckets of water to leaking pipes. Fix gutters, dry out basements and laundry rooms, and use dehumidifiers.
- Don’t leave debris hanging around in gardens where earwigs can breed. Create barriers using stone or gravel and grow plants that earwigs can’t stand.
- Consider using timers or motion sensors for outside LED lights. Dim or block inside lights from view because it attracts earwigs to come inside your home.
- Inspect firewood piles or boxes (in closets and garages) for earwigs. Ensure they are stored in a clean, dry space, organized, and free of pests.
- Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal crevices, gaps, and entry points in the foundation, walls, windows, and doors.
Besides applying helpful earwig prevention tips, don’t forget to contact a professional pest control company in Dallas like All-Safe Pest & Termite. Sometimes, insects like earwigs can become tricky to remove without a customized earwig control solution.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Earwigs And Keep Them Out
Take common-sense measures to make your Dallas home less desirable to earwigs and make an appointment with All-Safe Pest & Termite. We stand by our All-Safe Service Guarantee and provide monthly pest control services at a reasonable price. Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite today before an earwig problem gets out of control.