Earwig Control In Washington DC

Earwigs

Earwigs make up the insect order Dermaptera. With about 2,000 species in 12 families, they are one of the smaller insect orders. Earwigs have characteristic cerci, a pair of forcep-like pincers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short, rarely used forewings, hence the scientific order name, "skin wings". Some groups are tiny parasites on mammals and lack the typical pincers. Earwigs are found on all continents except Antarctica.

Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs, especially the common earwig Forficula auricularia.

Earwigs have five molts in the year before they become adults. Many earwig species display maternal care, which is uncommon among insects. Female earwigs may care for their eggs, and even after they have hatched as nymphs will continue to watch over offspring until their second molt. As the nymphs molt, sexual dimorphism such as differences in pincer shapes begins to show.

Earwig - Bug, Or Something Else?

Earwigs are a nocturnal scavenger insect that spends it time sleeping during the day and hunting and eating at night. They are a rather anti-social bug, not belonging to any queen or colony, thus making earwig infestations a rare occurrence. Their lives are spent continuously searching for hospitable environments while hunting and eating in its active time. Earwigs do have pincers that they use to hunt prey but pose no natural threat to people.

Pincher Bugs in Washington DC

Often referred to as the “Pincher Bug“, the earwig is a pest you won’t soon forget nor have trouble identifying when you see one. With intimidating pincers, long antennas, and a predictable lifestyle, you can find these creepy crawlers in and around your home when the environment suits them. Knowing who and what they are makes encountering an earwig a harmless circumstance.

Earwigs In Your House?

If you have earwigs entering your home it’s usually because their outdoor environmental conditions have changed and are now too dry or too wet or too hot, you may be attracting them with outside lighting, and your home has gaps or openings that accidentally let them inside. Earwigs are active at night and are attracted to bright outdoor lights, so they often enter homes around doors and windows, or foundation openings. Check that screens are tight, that garage doors have good seals, and that outside doors have weather stripping and thresholds. Because earwigs have flattened bodies, it doesn’t take much of a gap to allow them inside. Earwigs sometimes end up inside when they are carried in on items where they have been hiding such as plants, newspapers, or firewood.

How To Get Rid Of Earwigs In Washington DC

• Repair holes in window screens.
• Seal cracks and gaps around your doors, foundation and vents.
• Repair leaks.
• Remove piles of wood, leaves and rocks.
• Keep mulch and vegetation at least six to 12 inches away from your house.
• Trim trees and bushes to eliminate heavy shade and dampness around the yard.
• Use a dehumidifier to keep excess moisture out of your basement.
• Keep drains and gutters clear.
• Need more help? Call an exterminator.

Earwigs In Ears

Despite their name, earwigs do not crawl into and infest people’s ear. They certainly don’t crawl through the ear and lay eggs in the brain, as some of the particularly tall tales suggest. Earwigs like dark, warm, humid places, so it’s technically possible that they may be attracted to a sleeping person’s ear. This would be an extremely unlikely occurrence, however, and the bug wouldn’t stay there long, lay eggs, or burrow. You shouldn’t worry about earwigs burrowing into your ears.