Earwig Control
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Pest Control for Earwigs in Phoenix
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Earwigs, more formally known as dermaptera, are small insects that thrive in a variety of environments throughout the world–including in Arizona. Unfortunately, earwigs often find their way into households when they hitch a ride inside potted plants or produce shipments.
No, earwigs do not crawl into your ears and lay eggs in your brain like the old legends say, but that doesn’t mean you want to be roommates with them, either.
All About Earwigs
Earwigs are small, omnivorous insects that can be found in gardens and other outdoor spaces around the world. They typically have a dark brown or black body with two pairs of wings. Earwigs are nocturnal creatures, so they come out to feed at night.
Earwigs usually live on or near the ground in damp areas such as compost piles or under rocks and logs. They feed on decaying plants and small insects, like aphids, mites, and even other earwigs. In some cases, they may also feed on seeds from fruit trees.
Earwigs have pincer-like appendages called cerci located at the end of their abdomen which they use for defense against predators. They also use them to capture prey and to move through tight spaces.
Health Risks of an Earwig Infestation
Earwigs may be small creatures, but they can have an impact on our health. Earwigs are generally considered to be harmless, however some species of earwig can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues in those who come in contact with them.
Additionally, earwigs carry bacteria on the bristles of their legs, which, when introduced to human skin, can lead to serious bacterial infections. If you are sensitive to insects, it is important to take precautions such as wearing gloves while gardening or cleaning up debris where earwigs may live. You should also be mindful of areas where they might congregate, such as moist gardens or damp wood piles.
Earwig Treatment to Stop Them in Their Tracks
Sometimes thorough and frequent vacuuming is enough to keep earwigs at bay indoors. If you’re beginning to see an increasing parade of earwigs entering your home, it is essential to repair existing cracks or holes in the walls and floors and seal off other possible entry points such as doors, windows, vents, and pipes.
Earwigs love damp areas like bathrooms and basements, so check for them there to discover their likely source. Earwig populations are higher inside buildings during cooler months, so homeowners may want to take extra precautions when the weather starts to turn chilly.
Boric acid is an effective way to deter many insect pests including earwigs. Sprinkle boric acid in areas where they may hide or congregate to keep them away. Diatomaceous earth can be used in the same way; however, it must stay dry in order for it to work properly.
Since earwigs like the dampness and darkness of dying foliage, clearing out your yard by removing any debris such as piles of leaves or mulch and trimming back vegetation from your home’s exterior walls will reduce the number of hiding places for earwigs and make them less likely to take up residence on your property.
Earwigs are considered to be beneficial insects because they help control other pests by eating them or their eggs. However, earwigs can also cause damage to gardens by feeding on plants and fruits, so it is important to keep an eye out for them if you have a garden.
To get rid of them around plant life, remove any moist areas where they might be hiding, such as under rocks or logs, and introduce natural predators like birds or lizards into the area. You can also use traps with bait like wet cotton balls soaked in cider vinegar to attract and catch the earwigs.
Setting traps with baited bread crumbs near known nesting sites is another effective method for eliminating earwigs. Finally, introducing beneficial nematodes into gardens and landscapes will effectively reduce the earwig population by introducing predatory species of insect larvae into the environment that actively search out and consume earwigs.
When Professional Earwig Pest Control is Needed
Earwigs can be a nuisance in your Phoenix home, but fortunately, there are effective methods of earwig treatment that can be used to help manage them when DIY remedies fail. Chemical barriers such as pyrethrin sprays and dusts are popular earwig killers. These products are typically sprayed or applied directly to pests’ nesting areas, resulting in a rapid extermination of the entire population.
Professionals may also choose to employ more sustainable non-chemical earwig treatment solutions like baits, traps, and vacuum cleaners. In addition, exterminators may use natural remedies as well as gardening practices; for example, mulching with dry grass or leaves can prevent the infestation of earwigs in soil and on plants.
The key is that professional earwig killer teams are skilled enough to identify the species they need to target and choose the most effective strategy based on an understanding of their habits and behaviors.
Need help with earwig pest control in Phoenix? Contact Polite Pest today. We use natural solutions that protect your family and the environment. We know how to outsmart earwigs so that they don’t develop resistance to earwig treatment. We’ll take care of your earwig problem for good.