Among moisture pests, one common Texas pest is the earwig. Earwigs get their common name from an old wives’ tale that they crawl into your ears and into your brain. Though they may look scary with the sharp looking pincers that extend from their backsides, they are little more than nuisance pests.
There are are about 2,000 different species of this occasional invader pest (only about 10 species common to Texas) and they are among the smaller insect species. You might find them in your Porter, TX home, and this might be a draw for other predator pests, like spiders.
Though relatively harmless, earwigs are just kind of creepy looking, and most homeowners don’t want them around. Here are some things you can do to keep them off your property.
Earwigs
Earwigs vary in color from brown/black/beige, and are elongated and narrow in shape. They may measure up to an inch in length, and with three pairs of strong legs. In the nymph stage, earwigs are wingless, but some adults do have hind wings, even though they rarely fly. Earwigs are sometimes confused with Rove beetles, which also have elongated shapes with short front wings. These beetles do not have pincers like earwigs do.
Earwigs are nocturnal and primarily active at night, seeking out darker, shadowy places in the daytime (e.g., under bark, rocks, plant debris).They are mainly outdoor creatures, but may venture into your home in search of moisture and shelter. They feed mainly on other insects, mulch, algae, fungi, and on dead insects. They also like sweets, and oily and greasy foods.
How Do You Keep Earwigs Away?
As mentioned, earwigs are moisture pests, and harbor in the same kinds of areas indoors as do millipedes, centipedes, pillbugs, etc.
Try the following steps to help get rid of earwigs in your home.
- Eliminate damp, wet conditions around your house, especially around crawl spaces, faucets, and along the foundations. Repair indoor and outdoor plumbing leaks. Dehumidify your basement as needed.
- Do what you can to eliminate high-moisture areas. Earwigs may be present, though hard to find during the day around foundations, in mulch, under stones, boards, etc. Move mulch and firewood at least 20 feet away from the side of your home.
- Make sure your rain gutters and spouts direct water away from your home’s foundation.
- Seal up possible entry points using caulk or spackle. Use weather stripping for doors and windows. Screen off pipe and utility entry points.
- Adjust your landscaping by creating a clear, dry zone immediately around your home’s foundation. Gravel help barricade off earwigs and other pest invaders.
Earwigs aren’t a serious problem themselves, but they might be the sign of moisture problems or other pest problems in your home. Plus, they attract spiders and other pest predators. Don’t let pest problems ruin your sleep at night or take up all your weekends and days working on DIY pest control projects. Even with all your best preventive measures and clean home, you may still find yourself dealing with bed bugs (or problems with other pests) occasionally. Call our Porter, TX pest control experts today at 832-898-0190 and we can help you save all sorts of money, stress, and time.
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