There is a myth that earwigs can enter into your ears at night when you are asleep, lay eggs and eat your brain matter slowly. This has become one of the main reason why many people want to know how to get rid of earwigs. However, that is not true at all since there are no proofs that earwigs are dangerous since they do not transmit any disease to people. It is important to know that earwigs do not build nests, they just hide in little holes or openings in windows and doors. They also like hiding in dark, damp places especially outdoors. Generally, earwigs are brown or black insects with a distinctive tail that has two prongs pointing inward.
Anybody who wants to know how to get rid of earwigs should start by disrupting migration of earwigs from outside the house, into the house. There are several ways that can be used to get rid of earwigs. These methods include: natural control methods, chemical methods and biological methods. Keeping the area near the foundation of your house clean and groom is one of the natural way to eliminating of earwigs. You can do this by laying gravel around the foundation to help in drainage around your house; thereby limiting earwigs attraction. Other natural methods include sealing the obvious earwigs entrance, cracks and holes, and fixing the screws of your doors and windows properly.
Biological methods are also used to get rid of earwigs from your home. You can do this by setting out bird baths or feeders near your house to encourage hungry birds. The birds hunt and consume the earwigs and other insects around your house. Another biological way on how to get rid of earwigs is by luring them out. Here, you should set a trap by dampening a piece of newspaper and leaving it in an exposed place. This will attract the earwigs at night, and it’s more likely to find them in the newspaper in the morning. You can then wrap the newspaper tightly with a plastic bag and seal it tightly. You can opt to burn them or throw them in the garbage bin.
Another method on how to get rid of earwigs from your home is through the use of chemicals. Boric acid is one of the most common substances used to kill earwigs and it is relatively safe for humans. Boric acid should be applied in areas that you suspect to be the hideouts of earwigs and where they are likely to pass through. There are also many insecticides available in the market that can be used to get rid of earwigs. Most of the insecticides are made of pyrethrins which is not harmful to human. The insecticides are usually in powder form. To apply, the mixture is mixed with water and sprayed around the house. There are also some insecticides which come in granular form, and should be applied to the soil around the foundation of the house.
Other ways of getting rid of earwigs include vacuuming colonies of earwigs from their hideouts using a vacuuming machine. The machine should be ready, so as to avoid the earwigs from scattering. The vacuum bag should be emptied in a sealed container and then disposed well immediately. You should also vacuum any eggs around the area. If you try all methods and still fail to get rid of earwigs, you can contact pest controllers who have skills on how to get rid of earwigs.