Earwigs

What Dallas Residents Need To Know About Earwig Infestations And Pest Control!

An earwig is a small insect of the Dermaptera order. Physical characteristics utilized for identification purposes include the long slender body of about 1/3” in length, three pairs of legs, and “cerci,” pincer-like appendages that protrude from the abdomen. Some people will mistake the earwig for a centipede because of its unique physical characteristics and crawling behavior. The insect’s legs are extremely short, making it appear as if they are crawling on surfaces instead of actually walking in which they do.

The species consists of both winged and wingless earwigs. The winged earwig has two sets of wings, one in front and the other in the rear. It is extremely rare to see winged earwig flying. The body is brownish/red and the antennas appear to be stripped translucent and brownish/red.

Scientists have successfully identified more than 900 members of the Dermaptera family, most of which are drawn to warm climates. An old wise tale claims the earwig was first discovered living in the brain of a human where it deposited eggs. Of course, the story was never confirmed.

Why Was My Dallas Home Invaded By Earwigs?

Earwigs are not fond of extremely high temperatures. To escape the hot weather, the insect will infiltrate houses, commercial buildings, and public facilities in an attempt to stay cool. Indoors, the insect can be found living in dark, damp, and warm areas like underneath the bathroom and kitchen sinks, basements, crawlspaces, and attics. These nocturnal insects hideaway during the day and forage for food at night.

The earwig meets the qualifications of a pantry pest, which means its diet is comprised of processed food like flour, cookies, dog food, cereal, candy, chips, and nuts. Just about any food products. you have stored in your pantry will be targeted. The only way to keep your stored food products off-limits to the earwig is to ensure they are stored in glass or hard plastic sealed containers. Thin paperboard and plastic are not enough to keep earwigs a safe distance away from your stored food.

Do Earwigs Carry Diseases And Parasites?

Earwigs do not transmit diseases or parasites. However, the species has been associated with foodborne illnesses related to contaminated food. Earwigs ingest contaminated edibles, which are later evacuated from the body through feces. The contaminated fecal material is deposited in infiltrated food, which is eventually ingested by humans, resulting in foodborne illnesses.

The only way to eliminate foodborne illness risk following infiltration of earwigs in your home is a secure storage system.

What Is The Best Pest Control Approach To An Earwig Infestation?

Earwig infestations are complicated because of the insect’s nocturnal behavior. They feed at night while the household members are asleep, making them extremely difficult to detect. Fortunately, there are signs that point to an earwig infestation. It is crucial every member of the family knows these signs, so when they appear, they will instantly know the culprit. This will help take the guesswork out of the process, allowing the appropriate measures to be taken without further delay.

To make your home less attractive to these insects, we highly suggest transitioning from mercury vapor porch lighting to sodium vapor yellow lighting. This will encourage the insect to look for other buildings to infiltrate instead of your home.

Another important suggestion is to seal off all potential access points around doors, windows, electrical wiring, and plumbing pipes. Earwigs will not be able to infiltrate your home without an access point. Utilize a waterproof sealant, such as caulk and silicone to fill in gaps, cracks, and crevices that lead from the inside to the inside of your home.

When Will The Exterminator Schedule The In-Home Earwig Infestation?

Our Dallas extermination team works extended schedules to ensure access to the best pest control service in the nation to all residents and businesses. We can generally schedule the pest inspection to take place within 24 to 48 hours of the initial request. If you believe your earwig infestation deserves immediate attention do not hesitate to ask about our same-day and emergency pest control services.

Do Earwig Pesticides Contain Toxins?

Some pesticides do contain chemicals that may pose environmental risks. However, when utilized properly, it is possible for Dallas exterminators to avoid these risks right from the get-go. To further minimize the risks, we request the home to be vacated several hours prior to and after each treatment. This is necessary to eliminate any potential exposure risks of pesticides for our client and other household members.

You are concerned about toxic chemicals in pesticides, please feel free to inquire about our eco-friendly pest control products and treatments. These options are affordable and effective in combating earwig infestations of all severity levels.

What Steps Do I Need To Take To Prevent A Repeat Earwig Infestation?

There are several things home and business owners can do to avoid repeat earwig infestations. Once your property is deemed “pest-free” by our exterminators, we will provide you with a prevention strategy. The strategy will focus on your current processed food storage system, household waste disposal system, and open access points. As mentioned previously, we need to address potential foodborne illness risks and accessibility of your home for earwigs.

By sealing off all access points, earwigs will not have the opportunity to infiltrate your home right from the get-go. Also, do away with porch lighting that attracts these insects before moving forward. We also recommend learning the signs of an earwig infestation to avoid any delay in the pest control treatment.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.