Answering Louisville’s Most Commonly Asked Questions About Earwigs

If you live in Louisville, chances are you've seen an earwig or two. These curious-looking insects are pretty common in the area, and they can be found in various habitats. Fortunately, they’re harmless to humans.

However, they aren't harmless to your garden and home. They're known to attack soft fruit- especially sweet corn- and seedling plants. They can do plenty of damage in minutes. That's why you should call pest control in Louisville as soon as you see one.

What Does An Earwig Look Like?

Also called a pincher bug, an earwig is a tiny, reddish-brown insect with a pair of long appendages on its rear end. These pincers are called cerci, and they're used for defense against other insects and to capture prey.

Male and female earwigs have different sized cerci. The males' are much larger and curved, while the females' are straight. They rarely use these appendages on humans unless they're trapped or if you sit on them.

Its body is long and slender, and it has six legs. Its head is small and narrow, and its eyes are located on the sides of its head. Earwigs also have two short antennae that they use to smell their food.

What Do Earwigs Eat?

Earwigs are omnivorous, which means they'll eat just about anything. They're especially fond of soft fruits and seedlings, but they're also known to eat other insects that they prey on like:

• Aphids
• Sowbugs
• Mites

They can also munch on the eggs of other insects, dead animals, and decaying plant matter. If it gets into your home, an earwig bug expands its diet to stored products like flour, bread, and cookies.

You might also find them eating a piece of fruit that's been left out. Don't try to handle them on your own. The best option is to call a professional pest control service to get rid of earwigs.

Five Helpful Tips To Keep Earwigs Away

Here are some pointers you can use to keep them away from your home:

1. Keep your yard clean. Regularly rake up leaves, trim your grass, and remove any debris. This will make it harder for them to find places to hide and lay their eggs.

2. Plant insect-repelling plants. Some earwig repellent types include:

• Basil
• Catnip
• Mint
• Sage
• Lavender

3. Get rid of their food sources. Ensure to pick fruits and vegetables as soon as they're ripe. Don't let them sit out for too long, as this will attract earwigs and other pests.

4. Use traps. The best type of trap is a shallow dish filled with soapy water. The earwig insect will be attracted to the dish and then drown in the water.

5. Use petroleum jelly. Apply it to your plants' stems. This will prevent the ugly buggers from crawling up the plant and feasting on the fruits or leaves.

How To Keep Earwigs Out Of Your Home For Good

The above tips may help in earwig control, but only for a while. Why not go for a better, long-term solution, such as hiring a professional pest control company like Urbanex? We're a pest control company that prioritizes your welfare and puts customer satisfaction at the top of our list.

We serve residents all across the Southeast, including Louisville. We've got years of experience in dealing with pesky critters like earwigs. We use top-notch equipment and products to exterminate them once we identify them after a thorough inspection of your home.

We also offer follow-up services to ensure they never rear their ugly heads around your property again. Contact us today and see us in action.

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