Urban legends and misconceptions surround earwigs as common household pests. However, few of these are grounded in reality. Let’s spend a few moments getting to know them.
What Are Earwigs?
The earwig, or pincher bug, is a small insect that can be found in many homes throughout North America. They are rarely larger than an inch, and can be identified by their long segmented abdominals.
Sadly, there are many myths about earwigs, including the one that says they crawl in people’s ear at night to lay eggs. We are here to dispel these rumors. Not only are they untrue, but is earwigs don’t attack humans, whether asleep or awake. Although they can pinch skin, the pain is not well-known and it almost never causes a puncture.
What Is The Origin Of The Name Earwig?
The name Earwigs comes from the utterly untrue tale about them sneaking in your ears at midnight. According to research, it is a modernization from their Old English “Earwigca” which roughly translates as “Earwiggler” or “Ear creature”.
What do Earwigs Eat?
You may be surprised to learn that earwigs are beneficial for your garden and yard. These earwigs are omnivorous, eating both decaying plant material and other insects. It can also help to manage the population of harmful insects such as spider mites, aphids, and other pests by preventing them from hiding and overwintering.
What Attracts Earwigs To Your Home?
The misunderstandings about earwigs’ behavior are due to the fact that they are most active at night. They are attracted to lights like most other nocturnal insects. Porch lights can help attract them. The insects spend a lot of time hiding, and they don’t care where they hide. are often accidentally brought inside by hiding in wood piles, cardboard boxes or newspapers. Finally, during the winter and fall months, earwigs will also seek warmth in your home.
Are Earwigs Able To Bite?
No. Earwigs don’t bite. Although their rear pincers are quite large in relation to the size of their bodies and may look frightening, earwigs do not pose any threat to humans. The earwigs are not known to carry any bacteria and therefore, they rank low among household pests.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs
Even though they are not dangerous, do not bite and are misunderstood, you still don’t want them in your home. They’re easy to remove on your own. Here are some of our favorite methods:
Homemade Earwig Traps
- Dish soap and water: The simple combination of dish detergent and water is an effective way to prevent earwigs. Spray it on the areas you have noticed them crawling.
- Rubbing Alcohol and Water: If chemical insecticides are not something you want to use in your home and we understand that, a 1:1 mixture of rubbing alcohol with water will kill the most stubborn earwigs on contact.
- Boric acid Powder: Applying boric powder to areas where earwigs are active is an effective pesticide. Boric acid can cause skin irritation if used in areas with pests and small children.
- Light Traps: A dead simple light trap can be devastatingly-effective when it comes to controlling earwigs. You can do this by filling a cup or bucket half full of soapy water and aiming a light at it. Attracted by light, earwigs will investigate the solution and then fall in.
- Oil-and-Soy Sauce Traps: Strange as it sounds, a mixture of equal parts soy sauce and olive oil can also be an effective trap. Remember how earwigs like to feed on decaying vegetation? Soy sauce is a by-product of fermenting (controlled rotting), soybeans, and its smell has shown to attract earwigs. You can use a cup of this solution to reduce the pincher bug population in your home.
There Are Other Methods Of Controlling Earwigs
- Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming in your home doesn’t only keep your rugs cleaner. It can also be an effective way to control pests in your home, by sucking up bugs and removing them from the vulnerable parts of your house. This is also true for earwigs.
- Essential oils: While earwigs love the smell of soy sauce, there are many other scents they dislike. It has been proven that strong scents such as eucalyptus and cinnamon will keep them away. You can also apply lemon, peppermint or lemon oil to the areas where you have seen them crawling.
- Earwig pesticide: Of Course, if chemical pesticides fail, they are the only way to get rid of earwigs fast. Always read all instructions and apply the pesticides safely.
- Professional Pest Management: Are you looking to get rid of earwigs and other annoying pests? If so, then professional pest control may be the best option for you! We specialize in keeping homes in the Mid Atlantic safe and clean. We can help if earwigs, or any other bug, is making you feel uncomfortable in your home.
