Pest Spotlight: What To Do About Earwigs In Lewisville

Earwigs are small insects attracted to moisture and can be a real nuisance around your Lewisville home. There are 22 species of earwigs in the United States, although only four or five of them are household earwigs that you may find on your property. If you’re looking for complete protection from earwig infestation, you’ve come to the right place. Adams Exterminating Company offers full Lewisville pest control that local property owners can depend on to protect their homes.

What Do Earwigs In Lewisville Look Like?

The first step to effective earwig control is accurate identification and detection. That means knowing what earwigs look like in Lewisville. Earwigs are usually dark brown or black in color and sometimes have a reddish tint or red stripes across their body. They are medium-sized insects with flat bodies. There are three segments to their body, and they have wings but hardly ever fly. They have two antennae, six legs, and two appendages that stick out of their abdomen. Experts call these cerci or pincers; they are forceps that earwigs use to defend themselves.

What Attracts Earwigs To Your Home

Earwigs are nocturnal pests that are mostly active at night. During the day, dark, damp places draw them. As moisture pests, earwigs need moisture to survive, so it makes sense why humid areas with excess water, mold, moisture damage, or rotting/damaged wood entice them.

While earwigs prefer to stay outside, they sometimes find their way inside your house. With their flat bodies, earwigs can skillfully slip through tiny cracks and crevices around your home. They tend to find their way inside when weather conditions are too dry or cold.

Six Myths About Earwigs

There are many misconceptions about earwigs, and we’re here to set the record straight. Here are six myths about earwigs:

1. Earwigs can nest in human ears and lay eggs in our brains. This isn’t true. Despite their suggestive name, earwigs definitely don’t nest in human ears and don’t feed on our brains.
2. Earwigs are seasonal pests. This isn’t true. The truth is that while earwigs are more common in the spring months because that’s when they enter our homes, they exist on our property all year long.
3. Earwigs are aggressive creatures. This isn’t true. Earwigs do not sting, nor are they poisonous, though they do sometimes use their pincers to pinch you if they feel threatened. The truth is earwigs are actually more afraid of us than we are of them.
4. Earwigs are dangerous because they can bite. This isn’t true. Earwigs rarely bite, and when they do, they don’t even leave puncture wounds, and they don’t draw any blood. They simply pinch and hold onto the skin, leaving it red and swollen.
5. Earwigs only feed on outdoor food sources. This isn’t true. The truth is, even though earwigs mostly feed on living and dead insects, they can feed on various household items such as grease, sweets, oily foods, and houseplants.
6. Earwigs are harmless. This isn’t true. Earwigs are known to damage crops and plants, and their presence usually indicates a larger moisture problem that you should address throughout your property. 

If you want to be proactive in your efforts to keep earwigs out of your home or business, there are some things you can do to reduce the chances of an earwig infestation. However, the smartest approach is to call in a team of qualified pest professionals.

How To Keep Your Home Earwig-Free

If you’re looking for 100% effective, reliable protection from earwigs and other pests, reach out to the experts at Adams Exterminating Company today. Our comprehensive earwig control services guarantee security you can rely on all year long.