So, picture this: you’re chilling at home, minding your own business, when suddenly you spot a creepy-crawly little critter scurrying across your floor.
You take a little look and, upon closer inspection, realize it’s an earwig! Now, aside from shrieking the house down, you might be left wondering: “What on earth is this thing doing in my house?”
Keep reading to find out more about these pesky critters and how you can evict them from your house once and for all!
What exactly are earwigs?
Earwigs are instantly recognizeable by the intimidating-looking pincers they have on their abdomens.
However, despite their somewhat menacing appearance, earwigs are generally harmless to humans. They don’t sting or carry diseases, and they won’t bite unless provoked.
In fact, they’re more interested in munching on decaying plant matter and small insects than bothering you. As the old saying goes – they’re more afraid of you than you are of them!
Why do earwigs love your home so much?
Now, onto the question of why earwigs might be making themselves at home in your humble abode.
Turns out, earwigs are attracted to moisture and darkness. They love damp, dark places like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. If your home has any leaks, cracks, or standing water, it’s like an open invitation for these little buggers to come on in and make themselves at home.
Since these critters are drawn to moisture and darkness, it also means that if you have any areas in your home that are damp, poorly ventilated, or cluttered, you could be creating the perfect habitat for earwigs to thrive.
Basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are common hotspots for earwig activity, especially if there are leaks, standing water, or piles of clutter present.
How to evict these unwanted guests from your home
Well, firstly, you should ensure that any cracks and crevices are sealed up. Then, keeping any spaces in the home dry and free of clutter is your next best bet!
If these creepy critters are still living rent-free in your home, setting up traps and using natural repellants may also help get the message across.
Some easy traps include rolled-up newspapers or even empty tuna cans filled with oil; while natural repellants may be a spray made from a mixture of water and essential oils like lavender, peppermint, or citrus, as these scents are known to repel earwigs.
Other potential repellants could be diatomaceous earth or boric acid, which can be sprinkled around the perimeter of your home (especially near entry points like doors, windows, and foundation cracks).
So, in a nutshell, by taking these proactive steps, you can keep earwigs from taking up residence in your home and enjoy a pest-free living environment.