There aren’t many insects weirder than the earwig. From their odd bodies to the name itself, earwigs are a strange pest to come across in your Dallas home. Because of their alien features, as well as some old wives’ tales, many people believe that earwigs can cause serious health problems in your home. How true are those old wives tales, and why are earwigs bothering your Dallas property? Let’s identify and explain these odd pests and how to prevent them from getting inside.
Earwig Identification Tips
Earwigs share some characteristics with other insects, but they are their own order of pests. Earwigs grow anywhere between ¼ of an inch and one inch long, and their coloring ranges from tan to reddish-brown.
An earwig’s head looks similar to an ant’s, with a triangular face, two eyes, and two short antennae. Six legs protrude from the earwig’s middle, and they have two skin-colored wings on top. Some earwigs can fly, but they prefer to stay on the ground.
Finally, at the end of their long-ish abdomen, two rod-like tails called “cerci” rest and curve into each other. These pincher-like cerci detect movement behind the earwig, allowing them to escape quickly if any danger approaches.
You are most likely to encounter an earwig anywhere near cool, wet spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially common places to see these odd-looking pests, though basements and attics are also easy earwig hideouts.
Are Earwigs In Dallas Dangerous?
Luckily, the old wives’ tales about earwigs aren’t true. The pest gets its name from an urban legend that earwigs crawl into your ear and lay eggs in your head. Earwigs don’t do any such thing; in fact, they are hardly dangerous at all.
Earwigs are a nuisance pest, meaning the worst they can do is frighten you. Naturally, many people are nervous to get near these insects, since their pinchers look so menacing. Nonetheless, earwigs in your home are more unsightly than anything else.
Nonetheless, there are some issues earwigs can cause, such as eating away at the plants in your yard. If you are an avid gardener, an earwig problem is something you should nip in the bud. Additionally, earwigs can emit a musty, obnoxious odor over time. Finally, if earwigs aren’t eating your plants, they might be eating and contaminating your sweets, so hopefully, you don’t find any in your pantry.
Earwig Prevention Tips
Earwigs certainly disturb homeowners in Dallas and nearby locations, so these pests belong somewhere other than your home. You can prevent them a couple of different ways, including the following:
- Reduce moisture in the home. If your kitchen or bathroom isn’t well ventilated, earwigs will likely camp out there.
- Drain standing water outdoors. Puddles are a common attraction for both earwigs and other pests.
- Seal your home’s exterior. Cracks in your home’s exterior can invite pests in, so check that your doors, windows, and vents are properly sealed.
- Check your packages. Earwigs have a tendency to hitchhike inside, especially if you have flowers or sweets delivered to your door.
- Limit the number of young plants in your garden. Earwigs often feed on saplings and young vegetation, ruining your garden before moving indoors.
Though earwigs aren’t dangerous, they belong far away from your Dallas property. If you’re struggling to deal with an earwig infestation on your own, the pest professionals at Evolve Pest Control are here to help! Contact us today, and let’s talk about how to kick these weird looking bugs for good.
