Earwigs In Virginia

What do earwigs look like?

Earwigs are dark brown to reddish-brown insects that have a long slender body flattened from top to bottom. Earwigs have pincher-like appendages (cerci) which extend off the end of their abdomen. The females have slightly curved cerci, while males have strongly curved cerci. Most species of earwigs have wings, though not all are capable of flight.

Are earwigs dangerous?

Though completely false, earwigs are associated with a rumor that they crawl into the ears of sleeping people to lay their eggs. The truth is that earwigs are nuisance pests and cause no significant harm to people. The cerci that extend off their abdomen is not strong enough to pinch the skin of people.  Earwigs use their cerci to defend themselves against each other and other insects.

Will earwigs damage my house and property?

Earwigs are beneficial pests as they help to control populations of garden pests, including aphids and snails. Earwigs are not an insect that will cause damage to your house or property. While earwigs are an annoyance to deal with, move inside in large numbers, and produce an unpleasant odor when disturbed, they certainly are not a damaging pest.

Why do I have an earwig problem?

Earwigs prefer to live in damp, dark areas like gardens, woodpiles, and compost piles. Earwigs spend most of their lives feeding and breeding outside but move inside homes and other structures to escape extreme weather conditions. If the weather outside is very hot and dry or if there are heavy rains, earwigs will move indoors, seeking more suitable living conditions. Homeowners may accidentally introduce earwigs into their homes in potted plants or in boxes that have been outside and then brought inside. Sometimes they even come inside on the bottom of newspapers.

How do I get rid of earwigs?

Contact the pest control professionals at All Pest Control & Solutions to completely take care of an earwig infestation. Serving Salem and the New River Valley areas, our professionals inspect properties, develop a plan of action, and then implement! The end result, 100% satisfaction guaranteed earwig control for your property.

Does All Pest Control & Solutions have earwig-prevention tips?

Preventing earwigs from getting into your home can be difficult, but there are a few things you can do to help deter these household-invading pests.

• Repair cracks in the foundation.

• Place door sweeps on exterior doors, paying particular attention to basement doors.

• Seal spaces around utilities (wires and pipes) entering into your home.

• Repair leaky indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures.

• Replace mulch around the perimeter of your home with a non-organic material that doesn’t absorb moisture.

• Use dehumidifiers in damp basements to dry them out.

• Inspect potted plants, boxes, and other items for hiding earwigs before bringing them inside.