Are Earwigs Dangerous or Harmful to Humans

The very mention of an earwig conjures images of bugs crawling into your ear. It can be unsettling, but fortunately not something that commonly happens. That’s not to say you shouldn’t get hold of your local pest control experts if you start noticing a lot of these bugs around.

But, it does help to understand the earwig and what harm it is capable of.

Understanding Earwig Nature

Earwigs actually have a set of pincers on the front of their body. They are generally nocturnal creatures, you’re most likely to see them at night. It’s worth noting that they are between 7-50mm long and they generally live in the ground outside your home.

However, if there is an easy access point, they will enter your home. This is usually via holes made by termites, rodents, or water damage. In other words, the presence of earwigs often confirms the presence of other pests, such as termites and rodents. That’s a matter for the professionals and something your local earwig specialists can help with. Click here to find out more.

Are They Dangerous?

The good news is that earwigs aren’t really dangerous. Although they have nasty looking pincers they don’t have enough pressure behind them to break your skin. That doesn’t mean to say it won’t hurt, you will feel the pincers but it’s minor, more of a slight inconvenience than anything else.

Of course, it is important to note that earwigs spend most of their time in the soil. This means they can come into contact with a variety of different bacteria. It is possible that these bacteria can be carried on the outside of the earwig and transfer to any open wounds you have.

If you’re concerned that this is the case it’s a good idea to cover the wound with antibacterial cream.

Putting this aside, the common earwig doesn’t represent an issue for humans.

But, as mentioned, it does suggest there could be an issue in your home with a different type of pest. It’s important you get the earwig issue dealt with and anything else that is identified by the pest control experts.

Eliminating Earwigs

It’s best to let the professionals handle this and to make sure you block up all potential access points. This will reduce the likelihood of a repeat occurrence.

But, if you feel you must deal with the issue yourself then you should mix some rubbing alcohol with water, a 50/50 solution works best. Add it to a spray bottle and spray the bugs directly or anywhere you think they go. This will kill them.

Alternatively, you can use boric acid. This needs to be sprinkled near the areas where earwigs go. The boric acid powder will adhere to the earwigs, dehydrating, and killing them.

You can also make your own oil and soy sauce traps. Mix the two items together and leave a small container of it near the earwig sightings. They’ll be attracted by the smell but drown in the liquid, unable to escape.