Earwigs In House
Although earwigs in houses and gardens can be quite creepy looking, this alien-like appearance is no real threat. Yes, earwigs in the house and garden can bite, but they are harmless bites and pose no threat to us humans.
So why do people want to get rid of them?
Well, generally it has more to do with the appearance of earwigs. As already mentioned, they can be quite creepy and as they group together, finding earwigs in the house can be overwhelming as there is likely to be a lot of them.
Earwigs generally enter the house when the weather turns. This can happen when it starts snowing outside or if the temperature drops drastically. So basically, they only do so extensively when their outdoor habitat becomes somewhat unsuited for comfortable living.
To prevent this invasion, a tightly built house with no gaps, voids, and cracks would do the trick. These insects like to squeeze through even the smallest gaps. So before the conditions outside become unfavorable for them, do cover up those potential entrance points.
When it comes to earwigs in the house and at home, earwigs are actually not predisposed to live indoors. They prefer your garden or yard and would just occasionally sneak into your house searching for food or when the weather turns.
As such, the indoor infestation is more rare than common. But whenever it does happen there are a few things you can do to get rid of earwigs in the house and at home.
You can always resort to using commercially available insecticide sprays. These would kill them without a problem. However, since most of them live outdoors and would only drop by occasionally, blocking off entrance points can be a better idea than spraying.
Other than sealing up cracks, you can also use boric powder. For gaps along with window frames, door sides, and the like! Simply place a good amount along with gaps, so that there is enough to make contact with any earwigs making their way in.
Upon contact, the natural insecticide properties of boric powder will poison the earwig. Its reach is not as much as that of an insecticide spray but it is safer to use and doesn’t carry the awful smell some insecticides do. Just make sure though that you have got all cracks and gaps covered.
For occasional sightings of earwigs in-house, you can simply squeeze them out of course. If visits are becoming much more common, you might have several earwig nests just outside your house. In which case, an outdoor earwig hunt must ensue.
Disproving the Myth
Fortunately, this is not true. There really is no scientific evidence that will prove this, although earwigs are nocturnal insects.
Besides that, there is also no proof that earwigs are dangerous in any way shape or form, as they do not transmit any kind of disease to humans.
However, their long and large pincers can cause real pain. They do have wings, but rarely use them, as they only like to stay in really damp places.
Nevertheless, the idea of having mountain earwigs crammed into the moist area of your wall can make anyone’s skin crawl. In this article, we are going to be looking at the different steps you can take to get rid of them.
How To Get Rid Of Earwigs
Before we move on to the various ways in which you can get rid of earwigs in your home and garden, you might want to be sure that they are there in the first place. It is pointless learning how to get rid of earwigs if there is no infestation, and you have just come across one or two stray earwigs.
This will save you time, effort, and money – especially if you were to hire a professional.
Ensuring the Earwigs’ Existence in Your Home
As mentioned earlier, these insects like anything that is warm and humid (note: make sure your ears aren’t). Joking aside, if you have furniture in your garden or potted plants which are not affected by direct sunlight, you will surely find earwigs there.
When those mentioned above are pretty close to the doors and windows, there may be a chance that the earwigs will be able to enter your house. If there are cracks on the wood of window/door frames, earwigs may opt to inhabit that as well.
Checking Plants For Earwigs
If you have plants inside your house and see that there are small bites on the leaves and stems, you are sure to have earwigs. Most of the species are herbivores, after all. However, there are omnivores as well although they attack the six-legged variety (again, not you) like cockroaches.
It is only logical that if the earwigs can reach those areas in your house, they can be anywhere – again, as long as the location is warm and humid.
Examples of which are areas like the kitchen sink, under the sink, somewhere in the toilet, foams and mattresses of your furniture, and in wooden furniture. If you see small white caviar-looking things in any of these places, it is time to get rid of them. Those are likely earwigs eggs recently laid, waiting to hatch.
Old, rickety wooden houses are sure to house a lot of these bugs primarily because the wood is damaged and most probably damp already.
Getting Rid of Earwigs
Although these bugs will not be detrimental to your health or physical being, it is still a good idea to learn how to get rid of earwigs from your house – if of course, you have identified them there.
If you do not want to spend money on professional pest controllers, these tips can help you eradicate your problem by yourself.
Start Dehumidifying
Since earwigs love the damp and the moist, then it is only commonsensical that you dry out your home so that it goes against what they like. There are different kinds of dehumidifiers that you can get in various stores. Use them in near the affected areas to help dry out areas the earwigs are homing in on.
Trap Them
If you do not know where the earwigs are hiding within your house, another way on how to get rid of earwigs is to lure them out. Try dampening a piece of newspaper in water and leave it overnight in a more exposed spot. Chances are you will see those earwigs on the newspapers in the morning.
Serve Them to Predators
When looking to learn how to get rid of earwigs in your garden, installing bird feeds and baths in the garden or lawn area can cut a bug problem quickly. If you leave the birds to handle the garden, you only have to worry about the ones inside your house.
Insecticides: The Logical Answer
Whether it is made from organic materials or chemical ones, you can get rid of an earwigs infestation inside your house for good with different types of insecticides. Just read the instructions well before use.
Bring in the Big Guns
Finally, if all else failed, and you are still finding earwigs in your home, it is probably time to call in the pest controllers and exterminators. Sure, it will be a bit more expensive than others options but if you really want to learn how to get rid of earwigs, they are a guaranteed option.
Earwigs are not harmful and will not harm you or attack your brain. They are harmless but rather creepy still. So, if you want to learn how to get rid of earwigs in the home or garden, try out the tips above.
