Many insects that you find around your Springfield property can be disgusting to look out, but one of the strangest of them all is the earwig. Unlike some other more unassuming or harmless-looking bugs, earwigs look particularly gross. With their pincers, it’s easy to assume that earwigs can sting or bite humans, but earwigs aren’t as dangerous as you’d think.
Because of their unique appearance, it’s fairly easy to spot an earwig if you know what to look for. Here are some identifying characteristics:
- They have two pairs of wings.
- They are a reddish-brown color.
- They are long and thin.
- They have antennae.
- They have pincers, or forceps, that extend from their abdomen.
Earwigs are a nocturnal pest commonly found in gardens as they prefer cool, damp, undisturbed areas. However, when they get inside homes, they are often found in places such as houseplants, along floorboards in bathrooms and kitchens, or under sink cabinets.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
Earwigs are an insect steeped in many myths and misconceptions. You might have heard that earwigs like to crawl into human ears and lay eggs, but this is not true. While in the rarest of circumstances, any small insect could accidentally climb inside your ear, they don’t try to do so. Earwigs don’t lay eggs in humans or try to eat their brains.
In fact, earwigs aren’t dangerous to humans or pets. While they could contaminate food if they get into it, they aren’t known to carry any pathogens or diseases. And, despite their scary-looking pincers, they don’t bite or sting people or animals.
Earwigs don’t pose any health concerns, and they also don’t ruin property. So, you don’t have to worry about them chewing on anything or seeking food or furniture. Overall, they are just really unpleasant to look at and not enjoyable to have around.
How You Can Prevent Earwigs
While earwigs might not be dangerous, this doesn’t mean that you want them in your house. Because of their scary looks alone, you’ll likely want to keep them out of your Springfield property. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent them, including:
- Turning off patio and porch lights on summer evenings because they are particularly attracted to light
- Addressing excess moisture issues by fixing leaky plumbing
- Installing door sweeps and weatherstripping
- Reducing entry points by fixing holes in door and window screens
- Removing damp wood and other decaying matter from your yard
- Using dehumidifiers if your home has moisture problems
- Sealing up any cracks or crevices in the walls and foundation of your home
- Getting prevention help from pest control experts
How To Get Help With Earwig Infestations
While earwigs may mostly be a nuisance pest, they are one of the most off-putting insects to encounter. If you’re dealing with earwigs around your property, you don’t have to keep trying to get rid of them on your own. Instead, contact the experts at American Pest Solutions. With our over 100 years of experience, we can provide continual prevention and removal assistance of earwigs and other pests.