Regardless of how fearsome an earwig looks, this little fellow really can’t hurt you. Sure, they’ll use those forceps they have. They’re called “caudal forceps” or cerci, (pinchers) for short, and they’re used for grasping food, defense, probing crevices, and folding and unfolding their wings.

Earwigs might be an inch or longer, the larger ones are usually males. They go through gradual metamorphosis, through four or five instars, until they reach adult size. Shiny brown to black, and flattened, they are strictly nocturnal and seek out a crack or crevice to hide in during the day.

The name “earwig,” came from an old superstition that earwigs got into your ears, boring into the brain and “demonizing” the brain. Not many people believe this anymore, it’s pure superstition. Earwigs are harmless to humans.

Professional Earwig Control

A professional exterminating service, such as Elevate Pest Control in Cache Valley, UT, can take care of your earwig problem efficiently. Exterminators train or apprentice before they begin working independently and know a great deal about insects and insect removal. Contacting a professional exterminator can save you both time and money. The sooner you call a licensed exterminator, the sooner your family’s home and lives can return to normal. Call the pest control professional at Elevate Pest Control in Cache Valley, UT.

Earwig Control

Homeowners looking to prevent earwig infestation should eliminate dampness in crawlspaces, create dry borders around foundation walls, and seal up small openings, such as spaces under doors and cracks in window frames, through which earwigs can enter. Additionally, because earwigs are attracted to lights, it may be wise to reduce the amount of outdoor lighting around the home, or switch to sodium vapor yellow lamps, which are less attractive to the insects.