Everyone loves a good campfire story and old wives’ tale; the ones that send shivers up your spine and make you wonder if they could actually be true are always the most exciting. What if there’s really a werewolf lurking in those woods? Could it be possible that Bigfoot goes fishing off the pier? Do those creepy-looking insects really want to crawl into my ear and feast on my brains?
Thankfully, the worst stories you hear about earwigs are just that – fictitious tall tales. No, they don’t want to infest your cranium and make nests in your brain. Their dietary specifications don’t include humans but instead consist of plant and insect-based materials. In fact, they’re mostly harmless as an invasive pest, but they can still be frustrating to deal with.
What They Look Like, and Where to Find Them
Earwigs are truly menacing to behold. While small, averaging no bigger than a half-inch in size, they sport a nasty-looking set of pincers on the end of their bodies. They’re reddish or brown in color, and, staying true to insect form, they also have two antennae and six little legs. Their pincers aren’t only to make them look scary for possible predators, either. Earwigs use their pincers for defensive purposes, and getting pinched by one can be painful, but thankfully it’s not life-threatening. They don’t have any venom to inject, and they very rarely even break the surface of your skin.
Earwigs enjoy making their homes in dark, damp spaces, but they’re not too picky if they find safe shelter elsewhere. East Texas provides very attractive environments for earwigs to create their nests, both outdoors and indoors:
- Large leaf piles
- Trash and recycling bins, mulch, and compost piles
- Rotted trees and tree holes
- Certain shrubbery and plants
- Basements
- Laundry and mudrooms
- Bathrooms
Making Your East Texas Home Less Attractive For Earwigs
There are plenty of steps you can take to make your home more secure against pests like earwigs, both inside and out. Check for any cracks, crevices, and holes in your foundation that they could use to invade, and make sure any mulch and leaf piles you may have get moved away from your home. Clogged gutters are another hotspot for them to hide in so make sure they’re cleaned regularly and the downspouts are pointed away.
Earwigs are sneaky little critters, and they’ll find any way to get inside, including gaps in your windows and holes in your screens. Make sure to inspect your windows regularly, and repair or replace any weak spots you may find. If you happen to have any particularly damp rooms, such as a basement, laundry, or bathroom, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier to keep them dry.
Invasion of the Earwigs
While earwigs are more of a nuisance than a danger to your residence, an earwig infestation may be an indicator of a different underlying problem in your home. Earwigs may not be attracted to your dark basement just for the alluring ambiance, but also an abundance of fresh food for them to enjoy, or an already carved out entrance, such as:
- Ant infestation
- Termite infestation
- Rodent infestation such as rats, mice, chipmunks, and squirrels
- Old holes in the siding left by wasps or bees
- Excessive water damage caused by leaky pipes
None of these situations should be left untreated, and while Innovative Pest Control can’t fix leaky pipes, we can guarantee complete pest removal and protection for your East Texas home. We have years of experience in getting rid of and preventing infestations for all of your pest control needs, and we even make a point to teach homeowners all the techniques we know to keep your home safe and secure from pests. If you think your home has been invaded by earwigs or other unsightly critters, give us a call to get your pest control appointment scheduled today!
Categories:
- Earwig,
- Earwig Control
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