Most of the time, when we come across certain species of insects, rodents or other animals in our house, it is panic. There is already their appearance that freaks out, not to mention that their presence in a home can be dangerous for the occupants. So we fill our homes with insecticides or pesticides to eliminate the slightest insect. Many do not realize that the use of insecticides can be even more dangerous. In addition, it should be noted that not all insect species are necessarily harmful to humans. There are some who can even do you a favor. This may be the case with earwigs. To get to the heart of it, here are our explanations.
What are earwigs?
Earwigs are elongated insects with a pair of semicircle-forming claws at the end of their abdomen. They look like pliers that artisan jewelers used to make a hole in the earlobes. In males, the claws have a rounded shape while in females they are more or less straight and shorter. They often have a wide head with a Y-shaped suture. Their claws are used to capture their prey and also to defend themselves. They are also called forficules.
Are earwigs harmful?
Earwigs are nocturnal beings who like to spend their days in dark, cool and damp places. In other words, earwigs love to stay in the garbage, under the stones, under the leaves in the garden, in the wooden fences… Because of this, they feed on decaying organic matter, mites, insect larvae, slug eggs, aphids, and other garden pests. Earwigs are carnivores, detritivores and omnivores. They are even cannibals when the opportunity arises.
Their appearance gives the impression that they are dangerous, especially when you see their clamps. In addition, their name scares some people. But in reality, they do no harm to men. On the contrary, by devouring biting insects and ridding your garden of their larvae, earwigs protect your fruit trees. However, since they are also omnivorous, they can eat the plants in your garden, lettuce, celery and beet leaves, bean seedlings, etc.
When there are a small number of earwigs, you can have a quiet heart since they play the fundamental role of eliminating beings or pests on your plantation or garden. On the other hand, in large numbers, these insects can therefore very quickly become dangerous not directly for humans, but for their garden or young shoots. Anyway, when they invade your living space, it can’t be pleasant. As a result, it is about the middle ground with these critters. In this case, it is recommended to get rid of it.
Earwigs: how to get rid of them?
To get there, here are some tips:
- Properly maintain your lawn and garden: this significantly reduces the risk of infestation;
- Remove debris and all kinds of decaying organic matter;
- Quickly pick fruits and vegetables from your vegetable garden, because when infested with other insects, they can attract earwigs;
- Clean the surroundings of your home. For example, you can prune vegetation or remove mulch and organic debris;
- Repair broken faucets and prevent rainwater leaks around the foundation of your home;
- Along your home, you can put strings of firewood. These devices must be at least 3 feet tall;
- Caulk the openings of your home to counter the penetration of the earwig;
- Make sure to destroy the natural habitat of the earwig that is near your garden or home…
On the other hand, it is possible to set traps for them, since you know their behaviors. If you are looking for more efficiency in your fight against earwigs, we advise you to call on professionals. You can therefore count on our know-how in this field.
Our tips for keeping earwigs out of your home
Even if they are harmless, earwigs can cause discomfort. That’s why you have to keep them outside. But how to get there? To begin with, it is necessary to eliminate all the moisture problems that are in your home indoors.
Plant shrubs or flowers a few distances (half meter) from your home. This keeps organic matter away like fallen leaves from being too close to your home.
What’s more, since earwigs hate light, it is advisable to illuminate your home during the night.
Our expertise to keep your home out of insects and rodents
We are not only in the field of earwigs. We also have a solid experience in the fight against a large number of insects that make your daily life unbearable: spiders, moths, silverfish, flies, red squirrels, bees, etc.
