Earwig Identification & Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions About Earwigs
What are earwigs?
Earwigs are small insects that grow approximately an inch in length, have a dark brown to black color, and look threatening to many due to their long antennae and the strong pincers located on their back end. The earwig is a main character in many myths. One old wives' tale states that earwigs will crawl into human ears, but these pests are nowhere near that dangerous.
That said, an earwig infestation is a major nuisance for your property, and it's best to invest in professional pest control. Reach out to us today for help with pest control in Elk Grove, CA.
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
Earwigs might look dangerous to many, but these pests are relatively harmless outside of their frightening appearance. Earwigs are likely to avoid humans at all costs, and an earwig bite doesn't transmit diseases or trigger allergic reactions for most people. An earwig pinch is unlikely to break the skin and may not even be that painful. You'd likely have to hold an earwig directly to your skin for it to pinch or bite.
The myth that earwigs will crawl into human ears, lay their eggs, and even eat human brains are nothing more than that - a tall tale. Earwigs aren't particularly dangerous, but they are a nuisance.
Why do I have a earwig problem?
Earwig problems typically start with lots of excess moisture around your property. Earwigs love damp and humid areas, moist or rotten wood, and outdoor spots with lots of debris creating wet undergrowth. Leaks, clogged gutters, and ventilation issues are all likely to attract earwigs to your property, and these pests may then slip through cracks around your property's foundation, windows, and doors in order to get inside.
Where will I find earwigs?
How Can I Prevent Earwigs in the Future?
Prevent future earwig problems by supporting our professional solutions using the following tactics to make your Elk Grove area property less hospitable to these pests:
- Clear outdoor areas of debris piles, woodpiles, and long grasses, as these are prime places for earwigs to hide.
- Remove leaf piles from outdoor spaces and make sure drainage is properly working to stop pools of water from accumulating.
- Fix leaks and clogged gutters around your property to eliminate moist and humid conditions.
- Invest in dehumidifiers inside the house and ensure you have proper ventilation in every room to prevent damp spaces.
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation of your property to keep earwigs outside.
- Declutter interior spaces often to make it more difficult for earwigs to hide in these areas and go unnoticed.
Contact Bell Pest Control for earwig removal today and benefit from our over four decades of pest control experience.
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