Finding an earwig in your home – or even in your yard – can be alarming, but Rainbow Restoration is here to help! Read on to learn why earwigs take up residence inside or outside your home, and how to make your home and yard less hospitable to these creepy crawly creatures.
What Are Earwigs and Where Do Earwigs Live?
Earwigs are small brown insects with a pincher at the back end of their body. They look more intimidating than they are - but that assurance is far from comforting for most people.
So, where do earwigs live? These insects are commonly found outdoors, feeding off smaller insects or vegetation in your soil. However, earwigs commonly find their way inside homes, especially in the summer months. While not native, earwigs are prevalent throughout the United States.
Why Do I Keep Finding Earwigs in My House?
Earwigs are nocturnal and prefer damp spaces. You may be finding earwigs in your home for several different reasons, including inadvertently bringing them in the house; bad weather such as snow or severe storms pushing earwigs to find shelter; and the presence of excessive moisture in your home.
If an earwig finds its way into your home, you can expect it to crawl around in search of a damp, dark and cool space to call its own.
How to Prevent Earwigs from Getting Into My House
Like any pest, there are steps homeowners can take to prevent infestations in their home. Keep earwigs at bay by:
- Removing Clutter Indoors and Outdoors
Outdoors, earwigs can often be found in soil underneath leaves or other outdoor debris. This means if you’re finding earwigs indoors, it’s important to get rid of any piles of leaves, branches or other yard waste from the area around the home. To keep earwigs from taking up residence in your home, don’t allow excess papers, newspapers, books, clothes or other materials to pile up, especially in dark, damp places like the basement.
- Deep Cleaning Carpets
Earwigs are attracted to moisture and dirt. Have your carpet professionally cleaned by your local Rainbow Restoration to eliminate the dirt and debris that earwigs are attracted to.
- Running a Dehumidifier
Earwigs prefer moist environments. By running a dehumidifier, you reduce the moisture in your home’s air, making it less attractive to these insects and many other pests.
- Creating a Bare Soil Barrier
If your home has mulch or garden beds that are close to the foundation of your home, consider creating a bare soil barrier between the garden bed and foundation. Earwigs are attracted to moist soil, so adding a bare soil barrier next to your home will make it less suitable for earwigs, ultimately driving them away.
- Inspecting What You Bring Inside
It’s important to inspect all the items you bring inside from your yard for hitchhiking earwigs. This includes
- Sealing Your Home
It’s easy for earwigs to get into your home through gaps, holes, windows, basement openings or any other cracks in your home’s structure or foundation. Properly seal all doors, windows, pipes, vents and cracks to keep these unwelcome insects out of your home.
Trust Rainbow Restoration for Expert Water Damage Mitigation Services
Decrease the chance of an earwig infestation in your home with help from Rainbow Restoration. If you have damp areas, water damage, mold or mildew, our team is here to help. Our water damage mitigation and hot water extraction carpet cleaning services can help prevent earwigs from settling in your home. Call Rainbow Restoration or request an appointment online to get started today.
