Why Are There Earwigs In My West Chester Home?
March 26, 2021
There are certain pests that have sinister reputations due to grisly myths spread about them. One such pest that we face here in West Chester is the earwig. When many people think about earwigs, they picture the pest crawling into their ears and burrowing down into their brains. This myth about earwigs is simply that, a myth. There’s absolutely no truth to it. However, that doesn’t mean you want earwigs living in your home. After all, they are quite unsightly creatures. As such, it’s important for you to know the steps you can take to keep earwigs out of your West Chester home. Moreover, should you find yourself dealing with an earwig infestation, you need to know the solutions you can count on to get rid of it.
What Are Earwigs?
Earwigs are slender insects that can grow to be an inch long. They have long, flat bodies that can range in color from pale brown to black. Earwigs have six legs, antennae, and large pincers that protrude from the backs of their abdomens. Despite their menacing appearance, these pincers cannot inject venom which means the most damage they can do is a small pinch. In fact, these pincers are more used for reproduction than self-defense. Despite not being a threat to humans, earwigs can cause damage to houseplants and garden plants as they feed on these materials. As such, if you don’t want your plants to be damaged, you should do everything you can to keep earwigs away.
Where Will You Find Earwigs?
Earwigs can most often be found outside in cool damp areas. This includes under-leaf piles, yard debris, mulch, or tree holes. They can also be found in gardens as they will feed on a variety of garden plants. Despite spending most of their time outside, since they frequently live in close proximity to homes and businesses, earwigs will enter into structures if the opportunity presents itself. Once inside, they will seek out similarly cool and damp areas such as bathrooms, basements, storage areas, laundry rooms, and anywhere with moisture issues.
How Can You Keep Earwigs Out Of Your Home?
The best methods for keeping earwigs out of your West Chester home include addressing any moisture issues within the home and sealing off any potential entry points through which earwigs might gain access. To achieve these, you should:
- Use dehumidifiers to address any moisture buildup in your home, especially areas with poor ventilation such as basements, attics, and other storage spaces.
- Make sure all pipes and fixtures are working properly and not leaking.
- Ensure all drains are working properly.
- Fill in any cracks in your home’s foundation with caulk.
- Cover any holes or openings around your home’s exterior such as around vents, pipes, and utility lines.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Install weather-stripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Remove leaf piles and other yard debris from your yard.
- Keep woodpiles away from the exterior of your home.
What To Do About Earwig Infestations?
Even with the proper preventative measures in place, you could still find yourself dealing with an earwig infestation in your West Chester home. If that is the case, contact the professionals here at Masters Touch Pest Solutions right away for assistance. Here at Masters Touch Pest Solutions, we have the experience and the expertise necessary to effectively eliminate any earwig infestation with which you are dealing.
We also offer ongoing pest control plans to keep your West Chester home free of pests all year long. Don’t let earwigs live in your home. Contact us today to get started with a pest control plan that works for you.
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