When you first hear the word 'earwig,' it probably takes you back to your childhood when someone told you that these insects wait until you're asleep to crawl into your ear, lay their eggs, and then nibble on your brain 'til their heart's desire. Well, as gruesome as that is (and an awful story to tell a child), that story is a complete hoax about these insects.
These pests are nocturnal and come out at night, but not to eat your brain; more so to forage for food, mainly plants. Nonetheless, they're most definitely pests you'd rather not have in and around your home. If you see these pests crawling around your house, be sure you get in touch with your local Houston pest control experts.
Habits And Behaviors Of Common Earwigs
Earwigs are intimidating-looking insects but don't pose any real harm or threats to humans as far as biting or spreading diseases are concerned. The thing to be slightly worried about is their pincers. If you do happen to get pinched by an earwig, the pinch can hurt but won't typically break the skin.
The funny thing about earwigs is that they don't even want to be in your home; they'd much rather be outdoors wreaking havoc in your garden. Any type of moisture-rich environment you can provide is where they want to be. And despite these bugs belonging outside, they can become a problem even outside your home, as they can destroy your plants.
When this happens, call All-Safe Pest & Termite to come and get rid of earwigs wreaking havoc both inside and outside your home.
What You Should Know About Earwig Bites
The thing to know about an earwig bite is that they don't bite; they pinch. Earwigs use their pincers to defend themselves against other bugs but pose no real harm to humans. The real problem you'll need to be concerned with is why you have an earwig problem.
Everything from lush plants and weeds to decaying organic matter and even cardboard, seeing them could alert you to another problem in your home. These pests love moisture and garbage as well, so you may need to do better with your trash management or need to address moisture issues in and around your home. Hiring earwig pros like us for a proper inspection is the only true way to know.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Earwigs In Your Home
When you have an earwig infestation in or around your home, there's no DIY elixir or spray that will get rid of it. Only pest control professionals have the right resources to get rid of an infestation and keep them from coming back.
Simple And Effective Ways To Prevent Future Earwig Infestations
Once we've eradicated your earwig infestation, you can then implement these effective prevention tactics:
- Repair or seal any points of entry.
- Avoid storing items in cardboard boxes if you have moisture problems at home.
- Keep weeds and vegetation cut and away from your foundation.
- Keep gutters free from leaves and other organic debris.
- Plant earwig repellent plants (eucalyptus, lavender, basil, and clove).
It's not until you've had earwig control done that you can implement these preventive measures. Fortunately, here at All-Safe Pest & Termite, we can get rid of earwigs and provide ongoing services to keep them away for good. Just give us a call today.