Earwigs

What Are Earwigs?

Living in Oklahoma City is truly unique. There is nothing else on earth like it. One of the reasons that it is so unique is because you’ll be exposed to a wide range of exciting and interesting critters. While this might seem like a nuisance to many, we love a chance encounter, especially with a member of the Dermapter family. With smooth, elongated bodies and a pair of forcep-like abdominal appendages, the earwig can be a pretty intimidating critter. Although it only grows to about a 1/3 of an inch in total length, its appearance is enough to scare many.

If this frightens you, you certainly don’t want a run in a Helena Giant Earwig, which is capable of getting to nearly 3 inches long. Both males and females can develop wings, but they don’t always choose to use them. Some fly, some don’t. The ones with wings are leathery and membranous and usually reddish or dark brown. There are over 900 known species of earwigs that belong to the Dermapter family and they all prefer warmer climates like Oklahoma City. Of course, it’s not always warm all year round in Oklahoma City, and this is when you’ll likely notice these critters indoors.

Who Do I Have Earwigs?

Earwigs prefer warmer climates. They can’t survive in the cold weather, especially some of the more extreme conditions that we are used to seeing in Oklahoma City. This is why they venture indoors. Once inside, you’ll find them in dark, damp areas, as this is another of their preferences. Another pretty interesting note, they are nocturnal creatures, meaning they only come out at night. Of course, this just makes elimination and detection all that much more difficult. Some of the common areas where these critters can be located are bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

When they do come out during the late evening hours, they’ll do so to feed on nearby houseplants. In addition to this, they also feed on other arthropods like mites and fleas. This is why some people will consider the earwig a useful insect. Whatever category you fall in, there is no denying that these critters are a nuisance and need to be eliminated from the property as quickly and efficiently as possible. That’s what we’re here to help with!

Do Earwigs Pose A Serious Threat?

The only threat that earwigs pose is the threat of pinching. You learned earlier that they are equipped with forecep-like devices on their abdominal regions. These pinchers are oftentimes referred to as cerci and after even strong enough to puncture the skin. When pinched, you’ll likely know it, but you won’t have to worry about bleeding or contracting a disease because they are incapable of either. However, this doesn’t mean they won’t be destructive to your plants. Got some delicate blooms or blossoms in the home, garden, or orchard? You’ll certainly have to worry about them with earwigs around because they are capable of tearing right through them.

Another interesting to note, they also like to feed on decaying organic materials. When they get into the materials, they are then in turn going to track it all over the home or property. It might not make a big mess, but there will be decaying bacteria all over the property. It’s pretty disgusting when you get right down to it.

Proper Elimination For Earwigs

If you want to control the earwig population in your home, you are first going to have to control the population outside. This is because that is where they are coming from. The very best way to tackle this is by sealing off cracks and crevices in and around the property. Check your foundation, walls, ceilings, doors, and windows. Seal and gaps, cracks, crevices, or openings with the appropriate materials. In addition to this, these critters are also attracted to bright light. Porch lights and light that seeps in around windows and doors will be the perfect lure for these guys.

The best way to eliminate this problem is by switching from the bright, white lights to the sodium vapor yellow. These lights are just much less attractive to the bugs. This is a pretty tedious process, and we are more than willing to take on the task. All you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a ring!

When Can You Get Here?

It is always best to turn to professional, quality pest management when dealing with earwigs. One of the reasons for this is because it oftentimes takes chemicals and pesticides to eradicate these critters. Chemicals and pesticides that are not available to the general public. Chemicals and pesticides that we’ll be more than happy to provide. Give the unique properties of Oklahoma City and our reputation in the community, we stay busy all year round.

However, we are always more than willing to accommodate. All you have to do is call, set up an appointment, and we’ll have someone out at the property within 24 to 48 hours. If you need have an emergency and require emergency services, you can give our offices a ring and we’ll get someone out on the property immediately.

Are There Safer Options?

Unfortunately, pesticides and chemicals are unsafe. That’s just all there is to it. These chemicals are unsafe, regardless of how careful you are with them. It is possible to utilize them without causing physical harm, but there is always the risk of environmental harm. This is why we are now offering green, more eco-friendly options. These options might not be as effective and might only be available in specific situations, but we try to offer them to our customers whenever possible. If this is something you and your family are interested in, you can give us a shout.

All that being said, when pesticides are administered, we make sure we do so with the utmost care, sticking strictly to the EPA guidelines. All our techs are EPA-certified and licensed to the highest degree. Your safety and that of your family is something we take as seriously as the job we do.

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