HOW DANGEROUS ARE EARWIGS?

Because of their intimidating pincers, or forceps, protruding from the abdomen, earwigs might appear to be a dangerous bug. This is a misconception. Earwigs can use their forceps to grasp onto a finger if agitated, but earwigs do not sting nor are they dangerous. They have no venom, so earwigs are not poisonous.

Insects such as mosquitoes or bed bugs can injure people by biting. Others can sting by inserting a stinger from the abdomen, through which they often can inject venom. Venom is used to defend from predators and to subdue prey. Earwigs cannot sting, since they lack a stinger and venom or poison sac.

The physical act of pinching using the forceps might cause some discomfort and might even break the skin in rare cases. If the skin is broken, it is best to treat it as any scratch which may be exposed to germs in the soil. Use an antibiotic cream or lotion to make sure that the scratch does not become infected.

Perhaps the greatest danger from earwigs is to garden plants, as earwigs, depending on the species, like to feed on seedlings.

There are no known injuries requiring emergency treatment due to earwigs. And the folklore that they can get into your ears and lay eggs or enter the brain is not true. However, if there are any medical concerns, speak to a physician.

Earwig Control

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How To Get Rid Of Earwigs

EARWIG PROVENTION TIPS

The most important part of controlling earwigs is eliminating their hiding places. If the earwig harborages are not addressed, insecticide application will probably not control earwigs very well. There are a variety of things that can be done.

Landscaping

• Clean Up - Move landscape timbers, logs, decorative stones, and firewood piles away from the foundation.
• Eliminate Moist Soil - Create a zone next to the foundation that is free of mulch, dead leaves, and other organic material. The “dry zone” should be 6” to 12” wide so that earwigs will avoid it.
• Trim Overhanging Branches - Trim trees and shrubs that cause damp, shady areas near the house.

Around the Home

• Proper Drainage is Key - Examine gutters and downspouts to make sure they drain away from the foundation. Set irrigation systems so that they water in the morning and allow the landscape to dry during the day.
• Switch Up Exterior Lighting - Adjust outdoor lights to shine from the yard onto the house – insects will be attracted away from the house. If moving outside light fixtures is not practical, consider changing light bulbs to yellow bulbs since white lights are more attractive to insects.
• Secure Possible Entry Points - Repair screens on crawl space vents and make sure the vents are not blocked.
• Dry Out Moisture-Prone Areas - A dehumidifier might help in a damp basement.

Call for Professional Assistance With Earwig Removal

Earwigs can infest many different areas in a home. Because of that, it may be necessary to use several insecticide products to control them effectively. A pest control professional will have the products and equipment to control earwigs effectively.

Earwig Control

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How To Get Rid Of Earwigs

HOW DID I GET EARWIGS?

Most domestic earwigs prefer moist soil areas with adequate cover and food source. Frequently, people will find earwigs in their home and ask, “Why do I have earwigs inside?”

Homes become an unintentional host to earwigs for two reasons. These insects can invade by accident though human activities or they can actively seek to escape inclement outdoor conditions in our space.

How Did They Get Inside?
Earwigs enter homes by crawling inside through cracks, gaps and holes that lead inside the structure. These common entry points include gaps around poorly sealed doors and windows; through crevices and gaps in the areas where foundations meet siding; through unscreened attic and foundation vents; and through access doors leading into crawl spaces. In addition, earwigs readily enter structures through homeowner activities. For example, earwigs may get inside with bundles of newspapers, boxes, lumber, books and plants that are moved inside a home or business. It is also common for earwigs to move inside from their outdoor habitats and locations when lights attract them.

Earwig Control

Earwig Killer

How To Get Rid Of Earwigs

EARWIG LIFE CYCLE & REPRODUCTION

There are over 20 species of earwigs in North America, so there are slight variations in the life cycle of each, but there are also many similarities. As part of the life cycle of earwigs, they undergo gradual metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the process of changing stages from egg to adult in insects. In gradual metamorphosis, the stages are rather basic: egg, nymphs (stages of juveniles) and adult. Nymphs typically resemble the adults but on a smaller scale. Simple metamorphosis is also called simple metamorphosis. Other insects go through complete metamorphosis and the stages here are egg, larva, pupa and adult. The larva resembles a worm, and later the larva will rest in a pupal stage prior to emerging as an adult.

Usually, only adult earwigs overwinter, or survive the change of seasons into cooler weather. This is probably because the adults are more suited to changing climate and environments. Also, feeding opportunities are less available during the winter, making adults more durable. Typically, the young are full adults by the onset of winter.

Since earwigs undergo gradual metamorphosis, the eggs hatch, and the first instar is the first stage to appear. While it doesn’t look exactly like adults, the similarities are striking. As the earwig grows, it sheds its shell, as the shell is not flexible enough to grow by itself. As the shell is shed, the next instar is soft bodied and usually appears whitish until the shell starts to harden into a darker, more durable and harder shell. The process of hardening and, ultimately, darkening in most cases is called sclerotization, and, as the skin or shell is hardened, it is called sclerotized.

Since earwigs go through several instars, the first instar, second instar, etc., as they move from egg to adults, with adequate food can reproduce during warm weather and emerge as full adults prior to the end of the season.

Earwig Control

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How To Get Rid Of Earwigs