Identifying and Preventing Earwigs in Your Home
Earwigs are a type of beetle that is known for their large pincers. They can potentially be found in your home. They like to come out at night and eat fruit and vegetables. Other common names for an earwig are “earwig insect,” “earwig beetle,” or simply “ear insect.” Here are tips to help you identify and prevent earwigs in your home.
1. How to Identify Earwigs
Earwigs have eyes that are covered by a clear eye cover. The body is narrow, long, and flat with wings. When an earwig crawls across the floor, it will have its wings extended. The characteristics of the front legs can distinguish an earwig and a cockroach. An earwig has two front legs that are ovular with two claws. On the end of an earwig’s legs are bristles called setae that help it grip onto a surface. The ends of their upper body have long hairs called tibiae, and feathery fibers called scopa, which help keep them from sliding around on surfaces. They have wings that are long and thin. The orange pincers can identify earwigs on the front part of their body, which they hold out as they walk.
2. Signs of Earwigs Infestation in Your Home
Earwigs can be found in various environments, including gardens and meadows. Earwigs will not only come into your home but can also nest outdoors, where they are considered pests by farmers. You may notice the holes that they dig in your garden soil, flowers, and fruit. They are drawn to the smell of a suitable nesting area, such as food or water. You will also find them inside crevices of your home, such as under tiles, wallpaper, and doorframes. As soon as they have found a place to lodge, you will hear them moving around or scratching on your ceiling or walls, but you may not see them as they appear nocturnal.
3. Prevent Earwigs in Your Home
Once you have identified an earwig infestation that has occurred, prevent it from happening again. The best way to prevent them from being a pest again is to clean up any food spills or other dead bodies and remove all of the insecticides and traps from your home. Dispose of any dead body if found. Ensure any cracks, holes, or crevices in your home are sealed. Anything loose can provide a pathway for earwigs to travel through. These pests are best kept from your home by sealing up all openings and cracks. You can use caulk or sealer. Also, consider removing some material from around your home to create a barrier that will keep them out. You can also use insecticide to prevent them from entering your home, but make sure you use a product specifically for earwigs.
Earwigs are also not poisonous. However, they will cause damage to your fruit trees and plants. Because they are nocturnal, they can be a nuisance because you may be searching for them but never find them. They are easy to kill with an insecticide, but you should not just kill one on a whim without knowing the source of the infestation. You can prevent earwig infestations by brushing up on their habits and taking the necessary steps to seal your home to avoid any other pests from entering it.