Earwigs

What are earwigs?

An earwig is a type of scavenging insect. Earwigs are nocturnal and come out at night to feed on small insects, insect larvae, and plants. Their name originates from the story that these insects crawl into people’s ears so they can create a hole in their brain to lay eggs, but sleep soundly tonight, knowing this story has no truth to it! Earwigs have a unique appearance and are easy for most people to identify.

A slender oval-shaped body and a pair of pincers extending off the abdomen set them apart from other insects. Boise pest control experts can identify earwigs in your home and help you prevent them.

Are earwigs dangerous?

Though many people are afraid of earwigs, they are pests that really don’t cause us any major problems. They don’t harm people or property. Earwigs are an important predator of aphids. Though beneficial, it is important not to let these insects live in large populations in your gardens as they can damage seedling plants and maturing soft fruits. Also, while the earwig’s pincers may look intimidating, they are only strong enough to harm other insects.

Why do I have an earwig problem?

Earwigs are attracted to areas of moisture; yards or homes that have moisture issues are most likely to experience problems with them. Damp basements, leaky pipes, drippy hoses, leaking air conditioners, and piles of organic debris create a moist environment where earwigs can thrive.

Where will I find earwigs?

Outside homes, earwigs thrive in flowerbeds, garden areas, under woodpiles, fallen logs, and spaces under trash cans or other containers. Living near our homes makes it easy for these pests to move inside when it becomes too hot or dry outside. Earwigs generally move in through spaces in the foundation or gaps under basement or exterior doors. Once inside, basements, crawlspaces, and areas under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms are places earwigs call home.

How do I get rid of earwigs?

Get rid of earwigs from your Idaho property the simplest way possible: with the help of an experienced professional! Our Four Season Protection Plan will protect your home from earwigs and other pests throughout the entire year. Using a low-impact approach and high-quality products, we provide long-lasting, affordable pest solutions that you can trust. If you are experiencing problems with earwigs in your Boise or Meridian area home or business, call Owyhee Environmental today!

How can I prevent earwigs in the future?

At Owyhee Environmental, we want to help you prevent problems with earwigs by putting together a list of prevention tips that will make your property less attractive to these pests:

Any openings you discover in your home’s exterior walls or foundation need to be repaired or sealed to keep earwigs and other insects out of your home.
Maintain a barrier between any soil or mulch and your foundation. The more moisture there is near your home, the more likely it will attract earwigs.
Rake leaves and weeds back from the foundation of your home.
Seal vents leading into your basement or attic.
Remove fallen trees, woodpiles, landscaping ties, and store trash cans and recycling bins up off the ground to remove some of the earwig’s favorite hiding spots.
Keep damp basements dry by using dehumidifiers.

Owyhee Environmental is an excellent organization with whom to use for your pest control needs. The staff is courteous and professional. The service is exemplary. The company has outstanding communication, always keeping you informed of their arrival and service dates as well as outstanding response times and solutions when pest issues arise. They are local to Boise, ID and an outstanding business to support.

- Michael F.

We have used Owyhee for a couple years now. We have an older home, which means that our insect residents are well established. After the first two treatments in the spring, our problem was solved! We feel that they hit the bugs right when they should throughout the year. If we ever have any breakthrough activity they come out and spray at no extra cost.

- Brandi J.

I love working with a small, local company like Owyhee Environmental. They were thorough, friendly, and professional. Both the owner and the tech who visited my home seemed very honest and genuine. There truly isn’t a more important metric to judge a company by, in my opinion. My first treatment went great and even my crawlspace was treated. Awesome job!

- Adam A.

Only started using Owyhee Environmental recently but have been very happy with their service. Always very friendly and after the visit they provide you with quick feedback about what they found. Very impressed when I realized they even provided me with a write up with pictures that explained what they had done. Have used other pest services and none of them come even close to the service level that Owyhee Environmental provides.

- Jaap V.

These guys are amazing. Profesional. Detail oriented. Attentive to every word and concern I had. Kevin explained the whole process and Riley came through and did a lm awesome job and even took the time to explain everything to me in detail. Also, gave me some tips and taught me about the different spiders and bugs I asked about. These guys won’t let you down. Amazing!!!!!!

- Gilda N.

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