How Do I Get Rid Of Earwigs In My Denver Home?

All kinds of myths are associated with the earwig. But whether or not any of these beliefs are true, one thing is for sure: earwigs can be quite a nuisance. Earwigs are likely to cause more problems outside than inside, causing problems like damaging plants in your landscaping. But who wants these creepy-looking bugs in their house?

Contacting your local Denver pest control company can help you with any earwig issues you may be experiencing, as well as other common area pests. Advanced Pest Management is a friendly, family-owned, family-operated business that takes pride in its top-quality pest control. Our technicians have the knowledge and experience needed to get your earwig situation under control and put your mind at ease.

What Are Earwigs?

What is an earwig, anyway? The common earwig found here in the Denver area is the European earwig, which migrated to the United States in the early 1900s and found its way to Colorado in the 1950s. 

• Earwigs are typically 5/8 of an inch long and have a brown body with a reddish head. 
• At the back end of their bodies are a pair of rather menacing-looking forceps.
• Earwigs feed mostly on other insects, young seedling plants, fruits and vegetables, and other soft tissue plants. 
• Some gardeners even consider them beneficial because they eat other plant-harming insects like aphids. 

Of course, they are a benefit only if the number of earwigs doesn’t get out of control. They can do quite a bit of damage to a garden if not kept under control.

Are Earwig Bites Dangerous?

Earwigs have gotten a bad rap over time, thanks to the folklore that they bury themselves in people’s ears at night and eat away at their brains. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even though they do like to hide in dark, damp places, your ear is a very unlikely place. 

Those fearsome forceps at their tail ends also haven’t helped their reputation. This is where their nickname “pincher bug” is derived from. In fact, they are completely harmless and can inflict only a very weak pinch at best. Earwig bites can be a tad painful, but they will usually just bite when stepped on or handled, and the bite poses no health threat.

Why Do I Have Earwigs In My House?

Earwigs are nocturnal insects that are most active at night and take refuge during the day in dark, moist places like under rocks, rotting logs, or dead leaves. So you might ask, “Why are there earwigs in my house?” They don’t often enter houses except to escape colder temperatures or big rain events. If indoors, you may find them under the carpet or under potted plants. They don’t often show up in numbers that would create an earwig infestation, but they can still be a bit unnerving and a nuisance.

What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Earwigs In My Home?

There are a few home remedies that can assist in ridding your home of earwigs. Homemade traps can be constructed of rolled-up cardboard or newspaper and placed in dark, warm areas of the house. There are commercially available traps with essential oils or food to attract them; however, DIY solutions are limited in their effectiveness.

The only guaranteed way to rid your home of these pesky little bugs is to contact Advantage Pest Management today. Our highly trained professionals can come out to your home and perform a thorough inspection. We can then come up with the best earwig control solution that will fit your needs and budget.