5
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Demystifying Earwigs: Nuisance over Danger, and How to Prevent Them from Invading Your Home
Some pests cause fear because they bite or spread disease. Others just look scary! Earwigs fall into the latter category. Though these pests look quite frightening, they aren’t inherently dangerous. Of course, this doesn’t mean they are welcome in your home. Find out how to prevent earwigs from getting into your North Carolina home.
Earwigs usually grow to be about one inch in length. They are dark brown, with six legs and a distinctive pincer at the back of their abdomen. This pincer, of course, is what makes them look so frightening.
Earwigs usually spend their time outside in piles of leaves or other organic debris. They seek out areas that are cool, dark, and damp.
When these pests come inside, it’s usually because they found an easy entry point. They may take up residence in moist areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. An unfinished basement is a perfect hideout for an earwig, especially if the room isn’t well ventilated.
These nocturnal pests have a bad reputation because of their scary-looking pincer. Luckily, they aren’t that dangerous. Though earwigs might pinch you if they feel threatened, it’s unlikely to even break the skin.
There’s an old wives’ tale that suggests earwigs got their name from crawling into people’s ears to eat their brains. Luckily, this tale isn’t true. There’s no evidence that earwigs crawl into ears. Like many insects, they’re more scared of you than you are of them.
Earwigs also don’t spread disease or dangerous bacteria. However, they are unsightly, and having earwigs in your home may attract other predator pests. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you prevent these pests from getting inside.
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