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Dixon Property Owners' Guide To Effective Earwig Control


July 15, 2021

There's a lot of misinformation about earwigs in Dixon. For that reason, it's hard to know how to keep earwigs out of your home. It's even more difficult to know what to do if you have an infestation. Before you find yourself battling these occasional invader pests, check out this guide to earwig control in Dixon

earwig on yellow flower

What Do Earwigs Look Like?

As far as appearances go, earwigs are truly unique. They don't look anything like other common pests in Dixon. They have a large appendage attached to their abdomen that looks like pincers. Only growing to be less than an inch long, earwigs are relatively small and have flat bodies.

Typically, these pests range from light brown to black in color. They have six legs and long antennae. Although they're not quick to fly and some species don't fly at all, earwigs have wings. They have a leathery appearance.

Where Do Earwigs Live?

In nature, earwigs live under piles of debris and mulch. But they don't only stay outside. Sometimes, earwigs venture indoors in search of moisture and food. They tend to live in damp areas, like bathrooms and basements. 

During the day, earwigs rest. But at night, they come out and feed on all of their favorite foods. Earwigs enjoy eating leaves, fruits, mold, and other insects. Depending on the species, earwigs might eat seedlings in gardens. 

Are Earwigs Dangerous?

Unlike some other Dixon pests, earwigs don't pose much of a great to humans. While their pincers might look scary, they don't break human skin. Furthermore, earwigs in Dixon only bite if they are truly threatened. You would need to pick up an earwig for it to try and bite you.

If you've heard of an old wives tale regarding earwigs, you might worry about these pests crawling into your ears. But earwigs don't want to get into your head. They're not any more likely to crawl into your ear than an ant or a spider. 

There's no real danger from earwigs, and this makes them a nuisance pest. However, earwigs don't belong in your home. They tend to take over and can make you uncomfortable in your own home. 

How To Keep Earwigs Out

To keep these unwanted pests out of your home, you need to take action. This means making your home less accessible by sealing up cracks and crevices. Because these insects are so flat, they can use tiny openings as entrances, so make sure you're thorough in your efforts. Check your windows, doors, walls, and attic.

Because earwigs like moist environments, you should take measures to decrease the humidity in your home. If your bathroom doesn't have a vent, install one. A humid basement could benefit from a dehumidifier. By reducing moisture, you can keep earwigs away. 

When you keep earwigs out of your yard, you make them less likely to come inside. A few ways to make your property less appealing to earwigs include:

  • Removing piles of grass clippings

  • Cleaning up debris piles

  • Keeping mulch away from your home, or avoiding it altogether

  • Removing stones and rocks from your yard

Of course, you can never completely eliminate earwigs from your yard. There's too much moisture and food for them to stay away. You should always be ready to call a pest control professional for help.

What To Do If You Have An Infestation?

In some cases, it may be too late for you to deter earwigs. If this is the case, you only have one solution - call an expert. Once earwigs have established themselves, they're nearly impossible to get rid of on your own. Work with us at Pest Control Consultants and eliminate these invaders.

Our team of home pest control professionals and commercial exterminators is highly skilled when it comes to pest infestations. We know what it takes to get rid of earwigs and strive for complete customer satisfaction. To learn more, call us now. 

Tags: earwig control | earwig prevention | earwig elimination |