Earwigs
What Do Earwigs Look Like?
The earwig is an insect with a history that’s enough to make anyone run for the hills to avoid contact with them. The good news is the earwig’s history isn’t accurate. It was once thought that earwigs crawl into people’s ears to bore into their brains and lay their eggs. Luckily, there is no truth to this repeated story. Earwigs are garden pests that pose no real harm to people.
Physical features of an earwig include:
- A flat, elongated body
- A reddish-brown color
- Pincers (cerci) extending off the end of the abdomen
- Antennae and wings
- Biting mouthparts
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Types Of Bees In Arizona
Arizona is home to many social bees, which is why they sting to protect their colonies. This includes mainly honey bees (sometimes solitary) and Africanized Honey Bees (AHB). In fact, one publication from the University of Arizona showed that up to 90% of all Arizona’s bees are AHBs. Africanized Honey Bees have been known to swarm, and in the case of a swarm, there are some ways that you can deal with them safely. In addition to honey bees, there are also yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets.
Why Are They So Important?
Although numerous birds and insects pollinate our food crops, bees play the largest role in this process and, without them, we wouldn’t have one-third of all the food we consume on a daily basis. Many foods require pollination including sunflowers (for oil), asparagus, cherries, broccoli, melons, and even almonds. However, it isn’t just food for our population because they pollinate alfalfa and clover (which is then fed to cattle) in addition to flax and cotton. Of course, we also skim their honey deposits and make use of beeswax for beauty and cleaning products.
What Do Bees Eat?
In order to produce the honey we collect, bees need to consume nectar and pollen from flowers, which is why they tend to gather in gardens that offer the best chance of receiving these two substances. For bees, pollen contains everything they need such as protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, enzymes, and sugar. Most of us have also witnessed bees landing on and eating meat; although this is not part of their daily diet, they will consume meat if it’s available.
Identifying Earwigs in Phoenix, AZ
Do you have an earwig problem? It’s common. Earwigs in Arizona can be identified by their long and slender bodies, pincer-like appendages called cerci at the back, and reddish-brown coloration. They are commonly found in moist and dark areas such as gardens, mulched beds, and under rocks or logs.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
Earwigs are garden and agricultural pests. They pose no harm to people, and only in large numbers can they cause significant damage to plants and crops. Most people are frightened of earwigs because of the pincers extending off the abdomen. But, the pincers are not strong enough to break through a person’s skin or cause us any real pain. The pincers are what earwigs use to defend themselves against each other and predatory insects.
Why Do I Have An Earwig Problem?
Earwigs are scavengers and mostly feed on decaying plants and other decomposing materials. Preferring to live outside earwigs are most often found in gardens, flowerbeds, and landscaped areas. Their preferred habitats are frequently near the exterior of our homes. If it becomes too hot and dry outside for them to live comfortably, earwigs migrate into our homes through spaces under doors or cracks in the foundation.
Where Will I Find Earwigs?
Earwigs typically live outside living in damp, dark areas like under mulch, rocks, landscaping ties, leaves, and brush. When inside our homes, they move to damp areas like the basements, crawl spaces, and around drains and sinks. Earwigs also regularly pop-up inside of folded laundry, under cardboard boxes, or in stored linens.
How Do I Get Rid Of Earwigs?
The professionals at Green Home Pest Control will help you to get rid of earwigs from your Phoenix, AZ property. We are a local company that understands how to eliminate and control pests common to our region. Our highly trained employees are committed to our customers, community, employees, and the environment.
We’re Here For Your Home and Family
With more than 30 combined years of experience, you can trust Green Home Pest Control to meet your Arizona residential or commercial property’s pest control needs. To learn why your neighbors, friends, and family trust us with their pest control needs, reach out to us today!
How Can I Prevent Earwigs In The Future?
Use the following prevention tips to avoid problems with earwigs:
- Ventilate crawlspaces.
- Use dehumidifiers to keep basements dry.
- Rake leaves and other debris back from your home’s exterior walls.
- Seal holes in your foundation that allow earwigs and other pests to move inside.
- Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Leave a barrier between the soil and your foundation.
- Repair leaky pipes and fixtures that provide earwigs the moisture they crave.
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