Earwigs in the house! It is believed that earwigs dig their way into people’s ears while they sleep! but how true is this?
Earwigs in the house are a very rare case, as they are fond of hiding in small, damp crevices during the day, and are most active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants (they usually cause damage to flowers and various crops).
- How dangerous are earwigs?
- How do I stop an earwig infestation?
These are some of the questions this info-filled article is set to respond to.
What Are Earwigs?
Earwigs are insects that:
- Belong to the order Dermaptera
- Have about 2,000 species belonging to 12 families.
Earwigs are one of the smallest insect orders on earth and can be characterized by their:
- Cerci
- A pair of forceps-like pincers on their abdomen
- Membranous wings folded underneath short, rarely used forewings, scientifically referred to as “skin wings“.
From the beginning of this article, we mentioned that “most people believe the earwigs to burrow into the ears of people while they sleep”, but this is just a myth without any scientific backup.
Because of the pincers on the back of their abdomens, earwigs frighten many people. But are they really dangerous? Is there any reason they should be gotten rid of? well, earwigs use these pincers for defense and for battling with rival earwigs.
Are earwigs dangerous? Earwigs must have been infesting your home for a very long time, and you seem scared to confront the issue because you think they are dangerous.
Did you know?
- That earwigs can be found in all parts of the world except Antarctica.
You probably did not know this right? well, now you know!
How Dangerous Are Earwigs?
Earwigs (Brown earwigs and black earwigs, depending on the species they belong to) are insects with vibrant mouthparts. These insects find their way into the home through cracks in the ceilings, bathroom walls, etc.
But are earwigs dangerous? These insects have sharp and long stingers, carrying fierce pincers or forceps coming out from the abdominal region. With these features, they may seem dangerous, but they are just harmless creatures and mean no harm.
Research has proven that despite the sharp pincers these bugs possess, earwigs are not dangerous and they do not sting but they will use their forceps to grab hold of your finger if they feel threatened.
Are Earwigs Dangerous to Pets?
From the statement above, it has now been certified that earwigs are harmless creatures, but can we say the same with pets? let us find out below!
Our pets especially dogs, cats, etc are often found lying in the cold or oftentimes in warm places, where earwigs tend to dwell in. We may find our pets falling sick and think “are the earwigs responsible for this?”, well they (earwigs) are not responsible.
The sickness is probably a result of other factors, as they are not toxic to pets (even though they sting furry pets).
Note: Even though they produce an awful odor to defend themselves, this does not in any way make them toxic or dangerous to pets.
Are Earwigs Dangerous to Humans?
Despite all facts on their possing threats to pets, we should not let ourselves or our little ones (babies) out of the picture.
Sometimes we find our babies playing and crawling around an earwig, and you are like “Oh No!” because you probably feel your kid is in danger, or fear for the safety of your child. Well, leaving your kid with an earwig is safer than leaving them with an ant!
The same applies to adults (humans), the earwigs bite on your finger and you may think it is the end of your life, well it is not, as these bugs are not poisonous to you, your babies, or your pets.
How Do I Control Earwigs In the House?
Although earwigs are not serious of a threat, since they do not bite or cause any form of toxic reactions, they become serious when they move into your homes:
- To find food
- Because of weather change.
They usually wander indoors while seeking shelter and just happen to wander inside through open doors. They usually prefer cool, moist areas and may enter homes during long dry periods.
What are the Signs Of Earwigs In the House?
An infestation of earwigs is a rare case and should not really be taken seriously, except you feel irritated or get allergic reactions to the presence of these guys.
They can be seen in almost every part of the house and can be found in areas where there is water:
- kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Laundries, etc
They can also find their way into:
- Bedrooms
- Family rooms, etc
How do I Get Rid of Earwigs In The House?
Even though these bugs are not actually considered pests, and do not in any way cause harm to humans, pets, household items, etc. a lot of people still find their (earwigs) rare appearances in the home disturbing.
If you are among these people then this is for you!
Below are ways to get rid of earwigs in the house/the environment:
- Move Away Unnecessary Objects from the Foundation of your Home
Move away wood, logs, decorative stones, and firewood piles from the foundation of your home.
- Foundation Grounds should be Dry
Let areas close to the foundation of your home be free of mulch, dead leaves, and other organic material. This dry area should be 6mm to 12mm wide so that the earwigs will keep away from it, as they do not fancy dry regions.
- Get rid of trees and shrubs that cause damp, shady areas near the house.
- Set a Proper Irrigation System
If you have plantations close by, set irrigation systems so that the water in the morning and allow the landscape to dry during the day.
- Use Yellow Bulbs instead of White Bulbs, as Insects are more attracted to White than Yellow
This way you will be keeping the insects away from the house.
- Secure Possible Entry Points Of these Bugs
Repair screens on crawl space vents and make sure the vents are not blocked.
- If You have a damp basement, a dehumidifier would help get rid of unnecessary moisture.
Conclusion
It is quite unnecessary to consider earwigs in the house a serious threat. Luckily we @pestclue have been able to reset that mindset and made you see that these bugs are just little and harmless.
Feel free to drop your comments (inquiries/queries) on what you think about this post, as we will be anticipating your response.
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