There are a lot of old wives’ tales used to scare people or teach lessons, even if that lesson is totally based on false claims and exaggerated circumstances. A common one involving creep-crawlies is an earwig bug crawling into your ear, burrowing into your brain, and laying their eggs while you sleep. Thankfully, this has been proven to be completely untrue. However, if you see one earwig in your home, you likely have more that you cannot see, and you could be dealing with an earwig infestation in your house. Having consistent pest control in North Texas is one way to keep these pesky pests away.
What Do Earwigs In North Texas Look Like?
They say everything is bigger in Texas, but have no fear — earwigs are the same size here as they are in other states. What is an earwig insect, and what does it look like? They are light to dark brown and typically about ½ to 1 inch in length. They have six legs, two antennae coming from the top of their head, and wings, although they rarely fly. What makes earwigs unique are their large cerci, otherwise known as pincers, attached to the rear of their abdomen. Once you see one in your home, your first thought after “gross!” most likely is how to get rid of earwigs in your house. An earwig infestation isn’t exactly something you want in your home.
What Attracts Earwigs To Your North Texas Home?
If you are a night owl, you might relate to earwigs. They are active at night and are attracted to bright lights. They live and make their nests in dark, damp areas, such as:
- In and around logs and tree hollows.
- In piles of grass.
- In and around decaying leaf piles and mulch.
An earwig bug does not like cold and dry conditions, which is why it makes its way inside during the colder months through gaps around windows and doors, loose screens, and cracks in the foundation. They will also go inside by hitching a ride on newspapers, firewood, cardboard boxes, and plants.Five Myths About Earwigs
There are a lot of rumors swirling around about earwigs, but we are here to put your mind at ease by dispelling five common myths:
Myth #1: They Crawl Inside Your Ears
- Despite the name, earwigs do not crawl into ears and lay eggs in people’s brains. Sure, they do like a warm, humid, dark environment, but the likelihood of them burrowing in your ear is slim to none.
Myth #2: They Are Dangerous
- Yes, earwigs have pincers. However, even if they pinch you, they won’t seriously hurt you. The most damage their pincers can do is give you a small welt on your skin. An earwig isn’t poisonous, it doesn’t transmit diseases, and it won’t cause any structural damage to your home. They are annoying little nuisances, but they are far from dangerous.
Myth #3: They are Exclusively Carnivores
- Because of their pincers, earwig insects have a reputation for being carnivores. This is true. They often hunt and feed on smaller insects, but they are not picky eaters and will pretty much eat anything, making them omnivores. They prefer to eat rotting plants, but they will eat whatever they can find.
Myth #4: They Love Cold and Dry Climates
- Earwigs are attracted to topsoil because it helps them stay cool. This might confuse people into thinking they enjoy cold and dry climates, but that is simply not true. While they enjoy the cool that topsoil offers, they also need their environments to be humid and moist. These habitats are where you are most likely to find an earwig infestation.
Myth #5: They Are Attracted to Food
- Although food is essential to the survival of life, earwigs are more attracted to humidity, moisture, darkness, and shelter. If you have an earwig infestation in your house, they are most likely in basements and hiding in other damp, dark areas of your home.
How To Keep Your North Texas Home Earwig-Free
Although earwigs are not dangerous to your health or the integrity of your home and surrounding property, we’re sure you don’t want to be sharing your space with these little pests, and you want to know how to get rid of earwigs in your house as soon as possible.
Let the licensed pest control technicians at Adams Exterminating Company help you get rid of the earwigs and other pests that might be invading your home. We serve Denton, Lewisville, and North Texas, so visit our website to learn about our home pest control programs and how we can help you get rid of an earwig infestation today!