A Helpful Guide To Earwig Prevention For Mooresville Homeowners

If you don't know much about earwigs, these insects could make you feel very uneasy. An earwig can be an inch long, and it has scary, black pincers on the end of its abdomen. But we have good news for you. You don't have to fear those pincers. They aren't strong enough to break through the skin of a human. What's more, an earwig isn't likely to use those pincers on you unless you handle it roughly. Earwigs are considered nuisance pests. They don't bite or sting, and it is rare for them to pinch. But, just because they're mostly harmless, this doesn't mean they're welcome in your home. Here is a quick and helpful guide to earwig prevention in Mooresville.

Why Earwigs Are In Your Yard

There are many reasons an earwig may want to come into your yard. If you give them lots of reasons to be in your yard, you're going to have more earwigs crawling around near your home. This will increase your chances of having an infestation in your home. What attracts an earwig?

• Earwigs are attracted to leaf litter and the moist habitat that can be found under a pile of wet leaves.
• Earwigs will get under any object that blocks the sun, especially if it is damp under it.
• Earwigs love to crawl around in wood piles, stick piles, and objects made of old wood.
• Earwigs get under grass clippings and other rotting organic matter.
• Earwigs are drawn to damp landscaping and particularly areas that are shaded.
• Earwigs will get into a tree that has heart rot, or nest inside a log or stump.

Yard Prevention

• Clean up organic debris.
• Move wood piles and other wood sources away from your home.
• Remove stumps, logs, and other wood sources in your yard.
• Clean your gutters out and remove any obstructions.
• Repair any leaking plumbing.
• Trim your landscaping vegetation to let the air flow through and dry things out.
• Address conditions that allow puddles to form.

Why Earwigs Get In Your Home

Earwigs are attracted to tight spaces. They like to have hard, immovable surfaces touching their backs and their bellies at the same time. This is one reason why they find their way into Mooresville homes. When they see a crack or gap, they can't help but explore it. If you don't want earwigs in your home, you need to do your best to seal these gaps and cracks.

• Fill in the spaces around pipes that pass through your foundation walls.
• Seal cracks in your foundation walls.
• Repair holes created by wood-destroying pests, or use a caulking gun to fill these holes.
• Seal gaps around door and window frames.
• Repair screens on windows and doors.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors that don't have them.
• Replace weatherstripping that has worn out.

Why Earwigs Might Stay In Your Home

Most homes do not provide the conditions for earwig habitation. When these insects find their way inside, it is usually only for a short time. Sealing exterior entry points and having a licensed pest management professional apply routine treatments to your exterior can keep them from randomly coming in whenever they feel like it, such as on a cold day, a rainy week, or a period of drought. But it is important to be aware of what conditions will inspire an earwig to live with you. At this point, you can probably already guess what we're going to say.

• A humid basement will be inviting to an earwig.
• A damp cellar can provide moisture and dirt for earwigs to be content.
• A moist crawl space under a home is a dirty, dark, and humid paradise for earwigs.

Are Earwigs A Problem?

If you're having issues with earwigs around or inside your Mooresville home, let one of our licensed pest professionals take a look. We can guide you in selecting the right pest control solution to eliminate these insects and keep others from getting into your home. Keep in mind that earwigs may be harmless, but there are many pests in our region that aren't. They can present a threat to your health and property. If you have questions or you'd like to start service, reach out to Lake Norman Home Services today. We look forward to helping you find the right solution for your pest control needs.