Resolving Pest Control Issues

4 Things You Can Do To Eradicate Earwigs

19 November 2018 by Lance Burke

A peaceful evening at home can quickly be ruined by the sight of a bug crawling across your living room floor. One bug that many individuals find particularly disturbing is the earwig.

Though earwigs are not poisonous, they have an intimidating appearance complete with a set of pincers that protrude from their body. Despite their name, earwigs prefer to use their pincers fighting other earwigs and predators, not inside your ears. 

It is typical to see earwigs in your home when the weather changes. The earwigs do not like these new weather conditions, so they seek a new place to burrow. If earwigs have decided to make your house their winter retreat, here are a few things you can do to deter them.

1. Update Your Landscaping

The earwig is attracted to cool, damp areas that typically boast decaying vegetation that they can feed on. Earwigs that live in your yard are likely to eventually come into your home.

Start by removing any logs, decorative stones, or firewood away from your home. Even though these items are outside, if they are close to your house, they increase the likelihood that an earwig enters your space due to their close proximity.

If you have trees or shrubs close to your home with overgrown branches, trim them back. These overhanging branches produce shady, moist areas ideal for harboring earwigs.

2. Improve the Drainage Around Your Home

Another way to deter earwigs is to make sure the ground around your home is as dry as possible. Check that your gutters are positioned so that they drain moisture away from your home. If you use a sprinkler system to water your lawn or gardens, time the system so that it emits water during the day. By night time, you want the ground to be free of extra moisture.

3. Seal Off Entry Points into Your Home

A fresh layer of weather stripping around your doors and windows will make these areas as secure as possible, keeping earwigs and other pests outside. Make sure that any exterior screens are free from holes and securely fit their spaces.

4. Have Your Home Treated with a Commercial Pesticide

There are multiple pesticide products that you can use in and around your home to get rid of earwigs. Call a residential pest control service as soon as possible to start treating your home. Your pest control specialist will help you decide which product is best for your needs. They can also help you identify any problematic areas of your home that earwigs may find attractive.

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