Do I Need Earwig Treatment Services?
What Are Earwigs?
Earwigs, also known as pincher bugs, can be frightening insects to find in your home or garden. With striking pincers that protrude from their back ends, wings (though not all species fly), fast movements, a foul smelling defense liquid, and nocturnal habits, they’re quite formidable foes.
While not dangerous, it’s never fun to experience a pinch from one of these insects, and, with 20 species documented in the United States (and fast reproduction cycles), we’re betting you know just how uncomfortable it can be.
Earwigs common to our zone prefer moist soil in areas with lots of decaying vegetation like mulch, leaves, and compost. Healthy gardens and wet indoor areas like laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens make ideal homes for these pests. Many homeowners find earwigs scramble indoors during dryer seasons like summer and fall when they’re looking for more moisture.
Signs of Earwigs
Because earwigs are most active at night, it can be difficult identifying exactly what pest is chewing holes into your flowers, fruits and vegetables. Look for ragged edges and holes around leaves and petals, and try searching for them in the evening or night hours with a flashlight. Indoors, or in rare outdoor infestations, you may also notice a strange, unpleasant odor.
Earwig Control for Your House and Garden
Some tips for eliminating earwigs is to remove their potential hiding places. Some things you can do are:
- Clear Debris: Firewood, stone piles, mulch, and leaves often gather around foundations. Remove these from around your home to reduce the likelihood of earwigs finding their way inside.
- Create a Dry Zone: Try keeping an area several inches around your home’s foundation completely dry – free of any irrigation water or planter boxes.
- Trim Vegetation: While a moist garden is often a healthy garden, removing excess vegetation and leaves will allow the sun to reach the ground and dry out areas prone to invaders. Additionally, spreading out garden rows can help make a difference.
- Hang Damp Towels: Damp clothing, swimsuits, and towels on floors make perfect humid environments for earwigs to enjoy.
- Dehumidify: Damp, dark basements are prone to earwigs. Purchasing a dehumidifier may prevent them from enjoying your home.
Best Way to Kill Earwigs
The best strategy for ridding your home of earwigs is Senske Pest Control. Give us a call and we’ll thoroughly inspect your home, yard, and garden for signs of earwigs and other pests, identify the problems, and create a plan for effective earwig treatment.
If you’ve noticed earwigs in your home, yard, or garden, contact us at (877) 944-4007 or click to request an estimate online for FREE.
