About Panda Pest Earwig Control
Earwigs have a bad reputation thanks to the folklore surrounding their species. If you haven’t heard, early Europeans claimed that these insects would crawl into people’s ears, lay eggs, and puncture brains with their pincers. However, in all our years as Queen Creek earwig control experts, there has been no evidence to confirm this, as the earwigs we have come to know in this day and age typically only target garden bugs and plants. They are not naturally hostile towards humans and can only pinch if they are handled. They also don’t carry bacteria or transmit disease, hinting that the only damage they can cause is to your gardens.
Nevertheless, these intruders still ruin property, as their natural urge to feast on plants can destroy flowering shrubs and fruit-bearing vegetation. For those who supply crops for a living, earwigs can be detrimental to their business model, making earwig control in Queen Creek, AZ, a necessity for certain commercial establishments. Since earwigs can make their way indoors in search of moisture or food, they can also be bad for those in the hospitality industry, running the risk of driving away guests and getting negative reviews.
While there are over 2,000 species all over the world, only two are commonly found in Arizona.
By partnering with Panda Pest Control for ant control in Queen Creek, AZ, you won’t have to concern yourself with the nitty-gritty details. Our team of professionals can promptly identify what kind you have in your vicinity so that we can carefully yet swiftly address the infestation. Through our tried-and-true methods, we can help bring back peace and relaxation into your day-to-day routine, ensuring that no supplies are contaminated, no individual is stung or bitten, and no unsightly mounds or structural damage occur.
European Earwig
Physical Appearance: The European earwig has a body that is a reddish brown color that only grows to about 16 mm long as adults. They have six banded legs that are typically yellowish brown, slender antennae, wing covers that resemble human ears, and forceps at the tip, which they use for mating and foraging.
Habits: They are nocturnal creatures that favor underground living. When on the surface, they often hide away in dark and moist places. You can find them mostly under rocks or piles of wood, within crevices of the foundation, or underneath potted plants. Sometimes, they can also take shelter within the ear tips of sweet corn, resulting in an unsightly surprise for farmers.
While they have wings, flying isn’t their strongest suit. They travel on foot and crawl from one point to the other in search of food. These intruders can work in packs but also thrive in solitary mode.
Reproduction: This species only reproduces once a year. However, some females can breed up to two times annually. Once fertilized, the females lay eggs in batches of 30 to 50 per time, with the number of eggs reducing with the subsequent batches. In her lifetime, a single female typically lays up to 6 batches of eggs.
To secure the young, females ensure the eggs are well protected in burrows within the soil. It takes an average of 70 days for eggs to catch in cooler weather but only 20 days in warmer months. Earwigs are maternal creatures and protect their babies by bringing them food and standing guard.
Primary Problem: The main issue with earwigs that affects homeowners, farmers, and commercial establishments that sell produce is that these pesky insects cause significant damage to plants, fruits, and seedlings. Not only can this disrupt one’s personal garden, but it can also result in detrimental loss for shops and suppliers, both in inventory and revenue.
A secondary issue is that once they make their way indoors, they can contaminate surfaces, food, and other pantry items like flour and sugar.
Tips for Prevention: The best way to prevent earwigs is by reducing the level of accessible moisture in your vicinity by a considerable amount. This means fixing leaky pipes, storing hoses properly, and ensuring no standing water is left outside. Sealing entry points is also a great way to keep them from foraging indoors. To cover all bases, schedule quarterly inspections from a reliable company that offers earwig control for indoor and outdoor areas.
Ring-Legged Earwig
Physical Appearance: The main physical characteristic that sets the ring-legged earwig apart from the European earwig is that the former has pale legs with multiple dark rings circling them. Secondly, ring-legged earwigs do not have any wings. They are also darker in color, with most having black bodies. They grow to 16 mm in length and have multiple abdominal segments.
Habits: While the ring-legged earwig may be attracted to bright light during the evening, they are mostly nocturnal insects that prefer to stay in cool, dark, and moist spaces when the sun is still up. They love to burrow in loose soil or within vines and weeds that have grown densely. Because they are fond of damp surfaces, they tend to frequent mulches, compost piles, under wooden foundations, and within trash bins.
Reproduction: The ring-legged species continuously mates throughout March to September, with the female laying eggs twice a year – once in the springtime and another in the summer, with each batch of eggs consisting of 50 pieces. They keep their eggs safe by securing them beneath bushes and plants.
As the embryos further develop, the white eggs slowly turn brown and elliptical in shape until they hatch in a week’s time. When hatched, the larvae survive on plant roots. It can also take many years before they grow into adult earwigs.
Primary Problem: Like all other breeds, the ring-legged earwig is a garden pest that loves to feast on plant and animal matter. Their primary source of sustenance is decaying organic material and other insects. They can also get into stored supplies in pantries, especially wheat, flour, sugar, and the like.
Because their larvae stage can also take several years, this can do some harm to present roots, leaves, and fruits and hasten the decay of once-healthy plants. However, the crop damage is often minimal.
Tips for Prevention: Cleaning up potential hiding spots and storing food in fool-proof containers are a great way to keep ring-legged earwigs out of your home. For guaranteed defense all year round, calling in an earwig removal company to conduct quarterly inspections as part of their pest control programs is also a worthwhile investment.
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FAQs
What attracts earwigs to my property?
Since earwigs thrive in moist and dark spaces, there can be many areas in your property that drive their presence. You may find them mostly near leaky faucets, overflowing gutters, damp basements, under potted plants, or beneath your structure’s baseboard.
Can earwigs bite humans or pests?
Earwigs don’t typically bite humans or pets as they are not aggressive by nature. However, if they feel threatened because they were picked up or touched, they may punch using their rear forceps. This can hurt but won’t usually cause any adverse effects.
What if an earwig pinches me?
While earwig pinches aren’t a cause for concern, it’s better to ensure the area is properly sanitized to reduce the risk of infection. The first step is to thoroughly wash the area with soap and water, apply an antiseptic, and monitor for any changes. Applying an ice pack can help keep it from swelling. However, if the pincers puncture your skin, it’s best to seek medical attention.
Are earwigs also an indoor pest?
They mostly thrive outdoors, but earwigs can make their way inside your house through holes in the door frames and windows. They can also get through open screens and other unnoticeable entry points. More often than not, earwigs get inside structures only by accident.
Can earwigs spread disease?
No, these harmless yet invasive pests are not disease carriers. They may contaminate surfaces by coming from dirty areas like the trash bins or out in the yard and then proceed to get into your stored flour or food. Other than that, they are relatively innocuous to humans and pets.
What do earwigs eat?
Earwigs primarily eat other bugs. This can conclude mites, slugs, spiders, fellow earwigs, and other insects with naturally soft bodies. Moreover, they can also devour insects in the early stages of life, such as eggs and larvae. However, if they can’t gain access to any of these arthropods, earwigs turn to living plants for sustenance, including leaves, stems, seedlings, and fruits.
Can I get rid of earwigs myself?
If we’re talking about a solitary earwig, simply trapping them and throwing them out would do the trick. However, if your goal is to make sure there are no earwig infestations in your premises and that your garden is safe from getting eaten from the ground up, this is a job for a professional earwig control company.
Are earwigs a sign of a filthy home?
These insects are not necessarily indicative of a dirty home. They are principally after the moisture in your property, not the clutter. However, properties that are not regularly cleaned up can provide ample hiding spots for earwigs to rest in during the daytime without getting noticed.
Do earwigs travel in groups?
Earwigs are neither solitary nor social pests. They can go around on their own and survive without a swarm, however, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them congregating in groups among moist and sheltered areas. While they can travel together during certain periods, they don’t usually coordinate their excursion schedules with one another.
When are earwigs most active?
In all our years as your local exterminators, we can guarantee that earwigs are most visible during the seasons of spring, summer, and fall. They don’t fare too well in the extreme cold but prefer cool temperatures for foraging. Because of this, they move around more at night.
The Earwig Problem
Earwigs are not typically considered a problem for humans and domesticated animals, but they can be a great nuisance. They eat other insects found in the garden and sometimes even other earwigs. When they can’t get access to other pests or decaying matter, they turn to oots, leaves, fruits, stems, and other components of growing plants. For those who rely on their gardens for growing fruits and vegetables or flowering shrubs, this can be a difficult pest to manage. Contact our team at Panda Pest Control for earwig extermination services in Queen Creek, AZ. Let’s protect your backyard today!
