Tuesday, 6 July 2021
How do I get rid of earwigs in my house?
What does an earwig look like?
Earwigs are actually quite common in gardens and occasionally in people’s homes. They vary in size from as small as a ¼ of an inch to as big as one inch long. Their bodies are fairly flat and brown, but will sometimes appear red or black.
Although the above description sounds like it could be any generic insect that you find in your garden or house, the main thing that sets earwigs apart is their pincers. Often referred to as pincher bugs, it is their pincers that make them an insect that people fear. Although small, their pincers emerge from the back of their abdomens, which can appear intimidating.
There are quite a few different species of earwigs. However, the one described above is known as the European earwig and is the most common type of earwig in the world. The European earwig is the type of earwig that you can find in your Canadian garden or house.
If the above description sounds familiar and you think you might have earwigs in your house or alternatively, earwigs in your garden, make sure to contact an exterminator!
What attracts earwigs in your house?
There are two main ways in which an earwig will enter your house. They will either find a way in by themselves, or they will be brought in by the homeowner unknowingly.
If the earwigs have come in on their own, there are a few different ways in which they could be doing this. Most commonly, earwigs enter people’s houses through cracks and crevices which provide an access route and entry point from the outside to the inside. These gaps can be doors and windows that are not sealed properly, or more serious gaps, such as those in your foundations.
Alternatively, you might have brought something into your house in which the earwigs had previously been inhabiting. This could be a variety of things, from newspapers, to boxes to plants.
Another reason as to why earwigs enter your home is due to the conditions both inside and outside your home. Occasionally, earwigs will enter your home if they have been attracted by light. Also, if the earwig’s preferred external conditions change, they may seek refuge within your home. If the outside becomes too hot or too dry, they might enter your home and seek shelter in a damp area. Earwigs prefer cool damp spaces, and if the inside of your home provides that when the outside doesn’t, they will enter your house.
What do earwigs do to your house?
Unlike termites or other ghastly insects that can destroy your house from the inside out, earwigs are relatively harmless and non-destructive.
Earwigs do not want to be inside your house. The only reason they are there is if they have found their way in accidentally or have been forced in because the outside conditions were too inhospitable for them to survive. This is a good thing as it means they aren’t looking for anything in your house. This is good news as they won’t destroy anything in your home. However, they give off a foul odor.
What scent keeps earwigs away?
One of the most popular ways to get rid of earwigs using only natural ingredients is through the use of essential oils. Specific essential oils have scents that earwigs dislike.
Some of the best scents to keep earwigs away include peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon and basil. In order to distribute these scents throughout your house, simply put a few drops of essential oil into some water to dilute it. Then either use a humidifier to distribute it, or place it into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected areas.
The main thing to be cautious about when using the scents and essential oils is that some can be harmful to household pets too, so be sure to do your research before applying it in your house.
Tips to prevent an earwig infestation
Signs of an earwig infestation
There are a few different signs that you can look out for if you think you might have an earwig infestation, below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of an earwig infestation.
Smell
As previously mentioned, the smell given off by earwigs is not pleasant. This foul odor is often the first sign that you might have an earwig infestation as it is difficult to miss. In addition to their bad smell, if they are scared or rushed, they release a yellow substance that has an even worse smell.
Dead plants and leaves
If you have recently been noticing that your plants and leaves have been dying, you might have an earwig infestation on your hands. Although they can be helpful with your gardening, as earwigs eat fruit aphids, they also eat leaf litter and other plants and flowers.
If you notice any signs of an earwig infestation, you will want to get ahead of the problem as soon as possible in order to avoid further problems and an increased earwig presence. It is recommended that you contact a pest control company such as Vextermination who can help you with earwig removal and prevention.
Expert tips to get rid of earwigs in your home
1. Spray the area
There are a few different solutions that you can create to get rid of earwigs. One solution that you can make is a mixture of water and dish soap. If you spray this to infected areas, it will prevent earwigs from returning. You can also make a mixture of alcohol and water. Mixing equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water and then spraying it directly on top of the earwigs will instantly kill them.
2. Oil and soy sauce
This is a great DIY solution that can be made using household items. Simply mix equal parts of soy sauce and either olive oil or vegetable oil and place it in a container. Once the container has been filled to about halfway, create holes in the top that are just big enough for the earwigs to fit through.
Once this has been done, put the container in the area you suspect the earwigs to be. The earwigs are attracted to the smell of the soy sauce and will crawl into the container. Once inside they will drown. You can then dispose of the mixture and the earwigs.
3. Vacuum them
As earwigs do not have a pack mentality, you will not necessarily find huge amounts of them in one place at any given time. Therefore, if they are easily accessible, you can simply vacuum them.
As earwigs don’t necessarily want to be in your home, this can be a permanent fix. However, if you have specific conditions inside your house that are attracting the bugs, this will only be a temporary fix and you will need to deal with whatever it is that is attracting them such as a damp area.
4. Pest control
As with any kind of infestation, the best way to deal with it is to call a professional pest control company, such as Vextermination. Although there are DIY solutions that can help you get rid of earwigs, these are not always effective.
Vextermination specializes in eco-friendly pest management throughout Quebec. Our team offers residential, commercial and agricultural services to ensure your peace of mind all year long. You can also browse our different packages if you want to prevent future pest infestations!