Table of Contents
What Is The Earwig?
From the Dermapter family, these small insects stand out in the Syracuse insect public thanks to their smooth, elongated bodies. Also, located on these smooth, bodies, you’ll find what is commonly referred to as cerci. These are forecep-like abdominal appendages that give the pest pinching abilities. While these pinchers are more curved on the male, both of the species have them. In addition to this, there are both winged and wingless members of this species. The winged members usually have front and back wings. Despite this, they hardly ever choose to fly. They do have the capabilities but choose not to utilize them.
The wings are leathery and membranous, while the bodies are a reddish or dark brown color. Most members of the earwig family are rather small, but there are one species that can grow to be as large as three inches. This is the Helena Giant Earwig species. There are over 900 different know species, but it is the Giant Earwigs that are the biggest. All earwigs are usually found in moderate to warm climates. These bugs draw their name from the common myth that they burrow into human’s ear where they’ll lay eggs in the brain. Luckily, this is just a popular misconception.
Why Do People Have Earwigs?
Earwigs might prefer warmer climates, but they won’t turn down dark, damp, and dank areas either. If you find them in the home, these will be among the areas they travel to. They usually enter the home through cracks and crevices seeking shelter in warm, dark, damp, and dank areas. These bugs are nocturnal, which means you’ll only see them at night. They sleep during the day and come out to play at night. This is just one of the many things that can make elimination trickier.
In addition to all this, earwigs are also drawn to mites, house plants, and fleas. They feed on these things. So, what it comes down to is, if you have earwigs in the home, they are either seeking shelter or looking for food. Find and eliminate these things, and you’ll be well on your way to eliminating your problem. While this might sound simple, it can be much harder than most would ever imagine. Some of the most common areas in which you can find these bugs are basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. You’ll find them during the evening hours, as they are nocturnal.
Are Earwigs A Threat?
Earwigs in the Syracuse area are nothing more than a threat. Yes, they do have those cerci devices that they can pinch with, but their pinch is so weak that it doesn’t even puncture the skin. They don’t carry venom or diseases, which is always a big plus when it comes to safety. The bug is most commonly known for its ability to wreak havoc on plants and gardens, and this is exactly what they’ll do if given the chance. They can get into delicate blooms and eat the buds or pedals.
How To Eliminate Earwigs
If you want to eliminate earwigs in the home, you are first going to have to deal with the population outside. These pests are getting in from the outdoors and there is where you’ll have to start. You’ll want to start by tackling potential points of entry. Look for cracks and crevices around the foundation, doors, and windows. They are also attracted to moisture as well as light. Porch lights and outside lighting can be a huge lure. If lighting is essential, you might want to consider opting for sodium vapor lights. The light gives off a yellow allure and is much less attractive to the bugs.
Do all this and seal all the potential entry points with caulking, and you’ll have likely eliminated your problem. Once again, this is all much harder said than done, otherwise, we wouldn’t be in business. A lot of people have trouble doing these things. And, it’s not just as easy as getting out there and doing it. It takes quite a bit of knowledge and know-how to accomplish these things. Either way, we are here for you and willing to handle the task for you. Whether it be prevention, elimination, or simple questions, you can give our Syracuse offices a call.
When Can You Get Here?
We truly believe we miles above the rest of the Syracuse pest management industry. And, this is not only because we hold ourselves and employees to higher standards, but we utilize new technologies and continue learning. Applying tried and tested pest management methods with today’s technology allows us to take an entirely different approach to the pest management world. You can see how we stay pretty busy. That being said, we are more than willing to adapt when needed. Give us a ring, and we’ll have someone out at the property within 24 to 48 hours to assess it. We do, however, have emergency services available when they are needed.
Are There Safe Alternatives?
Whenever possible, our Syracuse offices try natural and eco-friendly treatments. While these treatments aren’t always applicable in every situation, we utilize them whenever possible. When not possible, we make use utilize techs that are properly trained in handling hazardous chemicals. All our techs are EPA certified and trained properly on how to handle pesticides. We take your safety extremely seriously along with the safety of our employees.
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