Contrary to the myth, earwigs won’t climb into your ears while you sleep to eat your brain. Homedale earwigs don’t bite and will only use their pincers on occasion when irritated. While they are’t dangerous or poisonous, they’re still an unwelcome sight inside your home.
Identification and Lifecycle
Homedale Earwigs come in different shades of brown, have six legs and are up to an inch in length. An earwig’s most notable feature is the pincer at the back of their abdomen. Due to this defining feature, earwigs are also known as “pincer bugs”. All earwigs have two small sets of wings, but many species don’t fly. Female earwigs will lay up to 50 eggs at a time. It takes the eggs about a week to hatch, and will take them a total of 30 days to mature into adults. Earwigs have a bad taste and smell, so there aren’t many predators to help keep their population under control. They eat insects, insect carcasses, and plant material. In large numbers they may eat vegetable seedlings in your garden. Earwigs are nocturnal, so you likely won’t spot them during the day.
Homedale Earwigs Habitat
Earwigs require moisture for survival. You may find them indoors more often during an extended dry period. Earwigs prefer moist areas such as basements, bathrooms or other areas prone to high condensation. Earwigs are also attracted to dirt and leaves. To prevent earwigs from being inside or near your home, make sure you ventilate any rooms prone to moisture. Clear piles of leaves or mulch away from your house. Keep vegetation growing near your home trimmed back. Make sure you have proper water drainage to keep moisture from building up. Also make sure any cracks or crevices the earwigs may use to enter the home are sealed up. Outside of the home you’ll find earwigs hiding under decaying wood, rocks or any other dark, moist and secluded area.
While their pinch isn’t poisonous, it’s possible for them to have carried a germ from their habitat that can transfer to you if the pinch pierces your skin. The pinch may be painful, especially in smaller children.
If you’re struggling with Homedale earwigs intruding your home, give Get Lost Pest Control a call! Our technicians are very knowledgeable and friendly. We’ll quickly get your appointment scheduled so that we can protect your home from earwigs, as well as any other pests you’re having issues with.
