31 Mar What is an earwig?
An earwig is a small, cockroach-looking, insect that has a pair of forceps pinchers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short forewings that they do not use often. Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Some damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops can be blamed on earwigs. Mainly their presence in a home is disturbing. Earwigs are commonly attracted to light and can become a nuisance on porches and patios during the summer. When the weather tends to get colder they will move inside houses to search for food and warmth. If earwigs move into a home they are commonly found in places that have moisture, for example, bathrooms, kitchens, and/or laundry rooms.
The common name “earwig” comes from the old superstition that the insect enters people’s ears and ultimately feeds there. The superstition has not been proven to be completely true but some incidents of an earwig getting into someone’s ear have been recorded. Another superstition of an earwig is that their bite is like one of a mosquito or that they can sting like a bee. This has also been proven to be untrue. Although it has been proven that if an earwig feels as if they are in harm or have been irritated they will latch on with their forceps leaving somewhat of a pinch that could be painful.
Most humans who have an encounter with an earwig usually do not say it was pleasant. They are small, slimy-looking, fast-moving, and seem to pop out of dark places when you least expect it. It is important that if you notice an earwig infestation in your home you contact a professional. An earwig female can lay over 50 eggs and usually guards her young until they are an adult making the population grow fast. If you have any questions or suspect that you have an earwig problem in your home call Western Exterminating at 817-834-3121 to set an appointment for a free estimate and evaluation.