Earwigs are nocturnal pests, hiding during the day and feeding at night. Outside they are commonly found under decaying leaves or in the mulch used in your landscaping. They will also hide out in cool places around your home, such as under logs, under rocks, or under boards. Earwigs are often brought into your home by hitchhiking on firewood, newspapers, and plants that are brought in from outside. They are also attracted to light and will squeeze through doors and windows. They also crave moisture and favor crawlspaces and laundry rooms.
We know earwigs don’t actually get into your ears, but what are they good for? Are they beneficial to have around?
While earwigs can damage your plants and are considered greenhouse pests, they do have some redeeming qualities. They are extremely beneficial to have in compost piles, helping to break down compost materials. They are also predators, eating nuisance pests around your home. They are also the ultimate sanitizers, feeding on decaying plant material and dead insects to help clean up the environment. They also break down dying plant material.
If the pros to keeping earwigs around aren’t convincing enough for you, there are ways to prevent earwigs from hanging out in and around your home:
- Inspect doors and windows and make sure they are sealed or use weatherproofing.
- Remove moisture from your home, especially in notoriously damp areas like basements, crawlspaces, and areas with leaks or standing water.
- Minimize outdoor lighting to help detract them from coming in.
- Clean up your yard of leaf debris, stacked wood, and rocks, especially near your home’s foundation. Try to use an alternative to mulch in flower beds and landscaping.
- Schedule routine pest control to not only get rid of earwigs, but also other pests they may feed on. Contact your local pest control company for a free estimate.
