Earwigs

Professional Earwig Pest Management In San Francisco!

The earwig is often confused with a centipede because of its long, slender body, three pair of legs, and two antennas that look to be checked. The insect walks as if it is crawling like a centipede. Fortunately, it is extremely easy to differentiate between two insect species. The earwig, for example, has pincers that operate like surgical forceps. The technical term for earwig pincers is “cerci.” The earwig relies on its cerci for security, safety, food-foraging, nest-building, and copulating.

The adult earwig grows up to one-third of an inch in length. There is one exception to this theory. This exception is the Saint Helena giant earwig species, which reportedly reaches 3 inches in length.

Scientists have identified more than 900 members of the Dermaptera order, including the earwig species. The earwig initially became known as the pest that laid eggs in the human brain. The tale claims the insect accessed the human brain via the ear canal. Of course, evidence was unavailable, prohibiting validation of the tale.

Why Are Earwigs Targeting My San Francisco House?

Earwig activity is at its highest in the late fall. This is when the insect begins to prepare for overwintering, a natural state similar to hibernation. The insect enters the overwintering state at the onset of the winter season. This continues until the weather begins to warm. If your home is infested with earwigs, you can contribute them to your home’s pest barrier. Every building has a barrier that keeps the elements, insects, wild animals, and human intruders out. The barrier is comprised of entrance doors, windows, ceilings, walls, flooring, garage doors, and roofing systems.

When a home’s pest barrier is vulnerable, it has exterior-to-interior openings that can become an insect access point.

Are Earwigs Bad For Children’s Health?

Not necessarily because the insect species has not been shown to carry diseases or parasites. In its natural habitat, the earwig has proven to be helpful for commercial farmers and gardeners. The insect feeds on aphids, helping to control the population. Aphids are notorious for crop damage. By controlling the aphid population, earwigs are doing their part to ensure adequate food for humans.

Earwigs are more of a risk for household plants than the health of children. Unlike some insect species, the earwig does not appear to be a foodborne illness risk.

How Should I Approach An Earwig Infestation In My San Francisco Home?

There are two main options when it comes to earwig eradication. These include DIY and professional pest control, both of which are similar and different. DIY pest control generally includes over-the-counter traps, pesticides, and insecticides, all of which are standard strength. Professional pest control, on the other hand, includes maximum strength pesticides and insecticides, traps, and eco-friendly treatments.

We only recommend professional pest management because it combines maximum strength pesticides, traps, and routine visual inspections. There are also some things you can do as a San Francisco property owner to minimize your earwig infestation risk. For example, you can transition from mercury or neon vapor lighting to sodium vapor lighting, which is less likely to draw earwigs.

We also suggest sealing all potential access points near windows, plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and doors. Earwigs will also utilize damaged siding, eaves, and soffit to access homes.

Can I Schedule The Pest Inspection To Suit My Busy Schedule?

Yes, we will gladly work around your schedule. Our exterminators believe in keeping their schedules flexible to fit in another pest control service request without a moment’s notice. After we receive your request, we will begin processing it. This will take anywhere between 24 and 48 hours, at which time we will have an exterminator available to perform your pest inspection.

Will Earwig Pest Control Products Damage My San Francisco Home?

Pesticides contain ingredients that can damage specific materials and surfaces. However, we utilize safety measures to eliminate any exposure risks. If necessary, we will utilize large drop cloths and other protective materials to keep your assets safe throughout the treatment process.

To minimize environmental risks associated with pesticide exposure, we only buy the brands that have taken the proper steps to seek US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval. EPA-approved pest control products are deemed completely “safe” when administered, handled, stored, and transported per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

What Is The Best Earwig Prevention Strategy?

Every earwig prevention strategy must be customized to meet or exceed the impacted home’s pest control needs. While some earwig-infested homes need only minimal pest control, others need a more powerful approach. The only way to determine the pest control need is through a visual in-home inspection. During the inspection, the exterminator is searching for evidence of earwig’s presence.

With this information in hand, it is possible to give the home a pest-free status. At this point, the exterminator can begin focusing on your home’s structure vulnerabilities that contributed to the initial earwig infestation.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.