Earwigs are in full force during the summer, and it’s easy to understand why you may be wary of spotting one in or near your home. Urban legend has led people to believe these bugs are able to tunnel through your ear canal, but, thankfully, that’s simply not true. Despite their somewhat menacing pincers, earwigs are nearly harmless to humans and certainly do not engage in any ear-crawling! That said, it’s still important to know how to identify earwigs in order to prevent any problems they may cause.

The Dangers of Earwigs

Often confused for silverfish, earwigs are slender, flat insects with protruding pincers that make them seem more threatening than they truly are. While earwigs have been known to pinch humans with these pincers, they typically only use them for defense against other earwigs! In truth, earwigs are not poisonous or venomous—they can, however, pinch when threatened. Although they aren’t directly dangerous to humans, earwigs can still be a nuisance when you are dealing with a number of them in or near your home:

Earwigs are known to feast on indoor plants and can often be found hiding underneath plant pots.
Similarly, earwigs can become a serious problem if they infest and feed on your garden and seedlings.
While their pinch may slightly hurt, there are little to no symptoms involved with an earwig pinch because earwigs are not poisonous or venomous.

Preventing Earwigs On Your Property

These bugs are known to prefer cool, wet, and undisturbed areas, and are relatively fast crawlers. They are also nocturnal, but oftentimes are found on patios and porches on summer nights. Preventing earwigs in your home or yard requires many of the same steps you should take to prevent all types of pests:

Always address areas inside or outside your home with excess moisture. Repair leaky pipes, be wary of over-watering your plants, and fix any drainage issues you may be experiencing.
Clean up your landscape by mowing your grass, trimming back bushes and trees regularly, and keeping wood piles away from the perimeter of your property.
Consider adjusting any outdoor lighting you have on your porch or patio to yellow bulbs, as white light tends to attract insects more often.
Inspect the foundation of your home and seal or close off any holes or entry points through which earwigs can easily access the inside of your home.

Professional Earwig Control Services

If you’ve done all you can to prevent earwigs inside or outside of your home and are still dealing with these bugs invading your space, it may be time to call a professional. While earwigs aren’t dangerous to humans and full-blown infestations are rare, they can still be a nuisance and wreak havoc on your plants. The experts at Rentokil can help you eliminate the factors that draw earwigs to your property. Call our team today to learn more!