Myths About The Earwigs That Live In Memphis

9/30/2022

Do you know what an earwig is? If you live in Memphis, there's a good chance that you've seen one of these creatures before. Earwigs in Memphis are common in the area, and there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about them. Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife will dispel some of the myths and give you some tips on how to identify them and keep them away from your home. We'll also go over how professional pest control in Memphis can help you get rid of them for good.

What Do Earwigs In Memphis Look Like?

Earwigs are small, dark-colored insects that have a distinctive pincer-like appendage on their rear end. They are typically about ½ an inch long, but can grow up to an inch in length. Male earwigs have larger pincers than females, and both sexes use these pincers for defense and to capture prey.

What Attracts Earwigs To Your Memphis Home

Here are some things that might be attracting earwigs in to your Memphis home:

• Damp, dark places
• Food sources
• Moisture
• Light

As you can see, there are several common things you probably have in your home that can attract earwigs. Although these creatures are mostly harmless, they can be a nuisance, so you'll want to take steps to remove them.

Six Myths About Earwigs

Now that you know a little more about earwigs, let's dispel some of the myths about these creatures:

1. Earwigs climb into people's ears at night and burrow into their brains.

This is probably the most popular myth about earwigs, but it's completely false. Earwigs do not climb into people's ears and they certainly don't burrow into their brains.

2. Earwigs are dangerous.

Earwigs are not dangerous to humans or pets. They might pinch you if you handle them, but their pincers are not strong enough to break human skin.

3. Earwigs are dirty.

Earwigs are not dirty insects. In fact, they're actually quite clean. They groom themselves regularly and they are not known to carry harmful bacteria like other insects. 

4. Earwigs bite humans.

Earwigs do not bite humans. They might pinch you if you handle them, but they are not known to bite, and they are not venomous, so there's no need to be concerned about an earwig bite.

5. Earwigs will damage your home.

Earwigs do not damage homes. However, they can be a nuisance, so if you have a serious infestation, you might want to call a professional pest control company to get rid of the earwigs in your house.

6. Earwigs are difficult to get rid of.

Earwigs can be difficult to get rid of if you don't know what you're doing. However, professional pest control companies like Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife have the knowledge and experience to get rid of earwigs quickly and efficiently.

These creatures are actually quite harmless, so there's no need to be afraid of them. However, they can be a nuisance, and if you have an earwig infestation in your house, Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife can help you get rid of these pests for good.

How To Keep Your Home Earwig Free

Here are some practical ways to keep earwigs out of your Memphis home:

• Seal up any cracks or crevices in your foundation and around doors and windows.
• Keep food sources covered and remove any sources of moisture from your property.
• Use yellow or sodium vapor lights around your home. These lights are less attractive to earwigs than traditional lightbulbs.
• Use essential oils to get rid of earwigs. Peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil are particularly effective at repelling these pests.

If you're having trouble keeping earwigs away from your Memphis home, or you have a serious infestation, contact Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife. We specialize in getting rid of pests like earwigs, and we're here to help you enjoy a pest-free home. Give us a call today to schedule a free inspection and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Memphis.

Tags: memphis pest control | identifying earwigs | earwig myths