Earwig

Category:

Actual Size: 1/2 – 1 1/4″

Characteristics: Black segmented bodies with 6 legs and antennae.

Habits:

  • Earwigs can cause damage to plants, crops, gardens, orchards, and farms.
  • They prefer cool and damp areas, and are often seen on porches or under logs.
  • It is just a myth that earwigs crawl into ears or bite humans.

Earwigs in Albuquerque NM

Like many household and garden pests, earwigs are most active at night when they search out food and shelter in cool damp places preferably near water. In outdoor environments, earwigs are commonly found under bark, mulch, logs, rocks, garden debris, plants, and in crevices. Earwigs are attracted to artificial light and will congregate on porches and similar areas, frequently under human comfort amenities such as cushions or blanket type coverings, especially when left on the ground

Threats Posed by Earwigs

The biggest concern regarding earwigs, besides their off-putting appearance and the stink they can emit when avoiding predators, is the harm they can cause to your foliage and in your garden. Earwig infestations can develop outside of a home leaving residents flustered and lawn and plant vegetation damaged. Although these threatening looking pests are primarily scavengers, they can become predatory and will eat plant roots, fruits, and other insects.

Earwig Prevention

Earwigs are opportunists as are many of the pests which invade our homes and gardens. They take advantage of poor sanitation habits outside a dwelling. Attention to appropriate prevention protocols such as regular lawn and garden maintenance, regulating watering times and frequencies, and exclusion techniques around a home, can significantly minimize the potential for widespread infestation. Pest Defense Solutions professionals are expertly trained to identify and treat earwig problems.

Earwig Control

Earwigs can pose problems in a wide variety of outdoor environments and will also infest indoor human dwellings when circumstances permit. The best way to eliminate earwigs and prevent future problems with them is through professional help. At Pest Defense Solutions, our pest control professionals resolve earwig infestations using a variety of different treatment techniques, including surveillance, eradication, and baiting applications.