Everything You Need To Know About Earwigs

If you think you’ve seen every kind of insect alive, you’re probably wrong. The family Dermaptera includes the earwig, a small, wingless insect that is related to cockroaches. 

If you’ve ever touched an earwig, you’ll know it: they pinch! Earwigs live all around the world, in both tropical and temperate climates. While they’re only about one inch long, they can live for a year.

These pests, while not dangerous, can become annoying inside your home or business. That’s why Premium Termite and Pest Control is going to give you all the information you need to know about earwigs.

What is an Earwig?

Earwigs look like a cross between a cockroach and a beetle. The name comes from the Old English “earwig” meaning “ear” and “wigen” meaning “to dig”. 

One famous myth is about the insect’s tendency to burrow into the ears of humans or other animals. This is simply not true. Earwigs have pincers that they use to catch prey, rather than mandibles (mouthparts) like a cockroach.

How Dangerous are Earwigs?

Thankfully, earwigs are typically not considered dangerous.

They do have some interesting features that make them stand out from the crowd: 

• Earwigs don’t have wings, but they can fly. So, they sometimes enter homes and will fly out when the lights go on.
• Earwigs have a special feature that allows them to hold their “ears” to the side of their body.

These facts are both fascinating and slightly unsettling. But, if you find an earwig in your home, you can rest easy knowing that it’s unlikely to harm you or your family.

How To Prevent an Earwig Infestation

Earwigs are one of nature’s most infamous pests. To prevent an infestation you’ll need to destroy their nests:

Locations:

• Earwigs are commonly found in dark corners of homes.
• They prefer warm and moist areas such as a kitchen or bathroom.
• They can also be found in drawers, clothes and bags. 
• They end to love to hang around house plants.

Our pest technicians will come to your home or business to perform a pest inspection. They are highly trained to locate and eliminate earwig nests. They will show you exactly where the pests are entering and help come up with a plan to eliminate them.

Premium Termite and Pest Control Will Take Care of Your Pest Problems

We cover a large area of Southern California from our three main offices located in Long Beach, Oxnard and Lancaster. We’re proud of the reputation we’ve earned from our customers. 

Contact Premium Termite and Pest Control today to get your pests under control.