Earwigs are plant-eating bugs that are found inside and outside of homes. You might be thinking, why do I have earwigs in my apartment or home? First, you should be aware of the signs that earwigs give off when looking for a place to invade.
Earwigs are crawling insects that are found all over the world. They get their name because they like to crawl into people’s ears, which can be annoying and sometimes painful. While they may look scary, they are not known to be dangerous and usually do not pose a threat to humans or pets.
Continue reading to find out more about earwigs.
What Does an Earwig Look Like?
Earwigs are a type of insect present all over the world. They come in different sizes but are typically around ¼ inch to one inch long. Earwigs are unique from other bugs because they have pincers on their abdomen.
While these pincers may look intimidating, they are not harmful and will not puncture your skin. Earwigs are small creatures, and their pincers can identify them. They come in various species, but the European earwig is the most common type found worldwide.
What attracts earwigs?
Earwigs are attracted by bright light, so they are often found near lamps and other light sources. They are also drawn to moisture and organic material, which is why they can be found in areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
As the weather gets colder and wetter, earwigs move inside to find shelter. They often enter homes through cracks in the foundation, windows, or doors. Once they’re in, they can be difficult to get rid of because they reproduce quickly and like dark, moist places.
Earwigs can be a nuisance when they invade your home. They tend to enter through cracks and crevices, but you may also bring them inside unintentionally. Earwigs are attracted to moisture and darkness, so keep your home dry and well-lit to discourage their entry.
Earwigs are attracted to moisture and dark areas, so they often enter your home through cardboard boxes, packaged products, and by sneaking into your camping or hiking bag. Once they’re in your home, they will look for a place to hide and will breed very quickly.
What are earwigs signs in your garden area, plants, or doors?
Earwigs are a sign of either a dirty or moist environment. They thrive in humid conditions and can be found near decaying matter or compost piles. They produce a nasty smell that is often mistaken for rotting flesh when disturbed.
Some signs that there may be an infestation of earwigs in your home are night lights, the presence of yellowish-brown secretions, and sightings of the earwig.
Earwigs are mainly nocturnal creatures, and they like to come out at night to feed. Additionally, they are attracted to bright lights, so a larger population is likely nearby if you see one during the day.
In general, earwigs are attracted to moist and dark environments. They often hide under plants and leaves, where it is cool, and find food sources in dead vegetation. If you notice many earwigs around your home, there is a higher chance that they are hiding in the basement.
The air is colder down there, and it provides an ideal environment for them due to the susceptibility to leaks and water build-up.
Why do I have earwigs in my apartment or home?
To know why do you have earwigs in your homes, check the following reasons or places where they thrive:
Survive Extreme Temperature
Earwigs are small, brown, and have a pincer-like appendage on their abdomen. They are one of the most common insect pests found in homes and apartments. While they are not harmful to humans, they can be a nuisance.
In addition, earwigs can squeeze in gaps as little as 1/8th of an inch, making it easier to enter your home undetected. Unfortunately, many common insect pests, such as cockroaches and termites, come in through places like doors and windows.
To reduce the risks of pest infestation and eliminate them before they start nesting in your home, we recommend sealing potential entry points and using barrier treatment.
Enjoy Tight Spaces
Earwigs are a type of insect that is attracted to tight spaces. They hide in small, dark places and can be found in various environments, including indoors. They are thigmotactic, meaning they like to feel the touch of something on all sides of their bodies.
Earwigs are positively thigmotactic, meaning they enjoy being squished into small tight spaces. It may explain why you often find them in your apartment or home; they’re looking for a comfortable place to hide.
Food Earwigs Sources
In fall and winter, earwigs become a common pest as they search for food and shelter. They love living in dark, moist places, like leaves or under rocks. Additionally, earwigs are beneficial to gardens as they eat plants and pests.
One common reason you may find earwigs in your home is looking for food. Earwigs feed on decaying leaves, and since fall brings falling leaves, this is a time when they are naturally attracted to homes.
Additionally, since the weather is cooling down, other pests like spiders and mosquitoes invade homes. So if you see more earwigs around your house, there may be other pests attracting them as well.
Excess Moisture
One of the causes of excess moisture is decaying leaves. When leaves decompose, they release a gas known to attract earwigs. In addition, earwigs like to lay eggs in moist and dark areas. If you have an issue with earwigs, you can address it by repairing your faucets and pipes.
It will help reduce the amount of excess moisture in your home or apartment, which will discourage the earwigs from gathering there.
Aggeration Pheromone
When earwigs feel threatened, they release a special pheromone that attracts more pests. This pheromone is also used as a means of communication between the earwigs.
In addition to releasing the pheromones when they are threatened, earwigs also use them as a way to attract mates.
Exterior Lighting
In the winter, people tend to leave exterior lights on for longer. It is because it gets darker earlier and people want to see when they are coming and going.
However, this also attracts earwigs, as they are drawn to light. To eliminate earwigs in your home, try reducing the number of exterior lights you have on for extended periods.
Replace exterior lighting with bug bulbs or other less attractive bulbs. You may also want to consider the light that may flood out of the home’s interior and onto the exterior. Lastly, remember that it is not just exterior lights that can attract bugs but any light source.
Do Earwigs Bite?
Earwigs get their name because they often crawl into people’s ears, but they can also bite. Earwigs have pinchers on their rear-end, which they use to pinch things. If they feel threatened or scared, earwigs will bite with their pinchers.
Earwigs are one of the most common pests in North America, and they can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Earwigs do not sting people and cannot lay eggs in human hair despite their name. The main danger that earwigs pose is their ability to cause pain and infection through their bite.
How to keep earwigs out of your house?
To keep earwigs out of your house, use the following solutions:
Oil And Soy Sauce
Earwig loves the smell of soy sauce, so if you want to get rid of them, you can try using a DIY solution. Mix some oil and soy sauce in a bowl and leave it near where the earwigs congregate. The earwigs will be drawn to the smell, and once they’re inside, they’ll drown.
Vacuum
Earwigs are not always looking for a way into your home. They would much rather live outside where it is moist and dark. If you have a vacuum cleaner, you can easily suck them up when they are out in the open. This will only be a temporary fix. It would help if you took additional measures to remove them completely.
Dish soap and water
Earwigs are found in areas where they can find moisture. It includes the indoors and outdoors. If you find earwigs inside your home, it is likely because they are coming in through a crack or opening. To get rid of them, spray the area with dish soap and water.
Rubbing alcohol and water
To get rid of them immediately, use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. It will kill the earwigs onsite. It is not your only way of getting rid of earwigs. But used in conjunction with other methods to provide faster results.
Boric acid powder
Boric acid is a powder found at most hardware stores, and it is an effective way to kill earwigs.
Light traps
Earwigs are attracted to bright lights and often wander into homes or apartments searching for them. Use this to your profit by setting up a light trap. Fill a small bottle with soapy water and point a bright light at it. The earwigs get drawn to the light, fall into the bucket, and drown.
Earwig pesticide
Earwigs are a common pest and can be found both inside and outside the home. Use different pesticides to eliminate earwigs, but it is important to use the right one for the situation. Sevin, Malathion, Pyrethrins, and Diatomaceous earth are all effective against earwigs but should only be used outside the home.
Why are there earwigs in my bed?
Earwigs are not typically found in or around beds. They are attracted to moisture and food, so they likely came in accidentally through an open window or door. There is no need to worry, as earwigs cannot survive from moisture or food from beds/rooms, and they do not crawl inside your ears.
Conclusion
Earwigs are attracted to light and commonly enter homes through open windows or doors. They usually come in from the outside but wander from other home areas. Earwigs don’t cause any damage to property as roaches and termites do, but they can be a nuisance because they’re often found in large numbers.
In conclusion, it is not recommended to use insecticides to get rid of earwigs in your home. Insecticides can be harmful to your children and pets. Essential oils, such as lavender oil or peppermint oil, can be used as an effective alternative.