Earwigs are nocturnal creatures that hide in dark, damp places outdoors, or in crevices indoors. Let's see how to get rid of them and prevent an infestation.
Earwigs insects are belong to the order Dermaptera, also called pincer bugs due to their curved rear pincers. There's a superstition that they crawl into people's ears at night, and burrow and lay eggs inside the brain. This is nothing but an old wives' tale without any scientific basis. These bugs are not dangerous, and their bite just feels like a pinch.
These bugs are often seen in gardens, as they feed on vegetation, mosses, decomposed organic matter, etc. When the weather is dry and hot, they might enter your house in search of dark, moist secluded areas.
Since they have an elongated and flattened body, they can easily hide in small crevices. They can enter your home through cracks and openings in foundations. They are nocturnal and come out at night to feed.
Preventing an Infestation at Home
If these creepy crawlies have found a way into your home, then you must start looking for cracks in the foundation, doors, and windows. You need to seal such entry points in order to prevent them from entering your home.
Make sure that the door frames don't have cracks and holes. You can apply caulk, putty, or weather stripping in order to bar their entry. Make sure that you have well-fitted window screens. Keep your house dry and clean to prevent or lower the chances of an infestation in future.
Getting Rid of Them
If your house is infested with bugs, use vinegar, boric acid powder, and insecticide dusts for getting rid of them.
Insecticides contain pyrethrins are very effective. Spray them in crevices and other hiding places or vacuum these areas. You can also make traps. You can place a wet newspaper at their hideouts. Leave it overnight. Since earwigs are attracted to damp places, you can find them on the wet newspaper. Dispose this newspaper in the morning.
An infestation in the garden is quite common, as these bugs feed on decomposed organic matter, and the carnivorous earwigs prey on some insects. If they are present in small numbers, they might not cause a great deal of harm to your garden.
However, when present in a large number, they can feed on the tender leaves. They can cause a lot of harm to marigolds, zinnias, and roses. Under such circumstances, it would be best to keep bird feeders and birdbaths in your garden. You can also use pesticides or apply diatomaceous earth to the soil in order to get rid of earwigs.
If your house or your garden is infested with these bugs, you can try the aforementioned methods. Also, pay attention to the preventive steps to avoid an infestation in future. If these methods don't work, you can consult a pest control expert.