Earwig Exterminator Winnipeg

Have you ever heard that an earwig can burrow through your ear canal into your brain? While this common myth is entirely false, earwigs can still be a real nuisance if they invade your home or garden.

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EARWIGs

Earwigs, a common pest in Winnipeg, have flat, elongated bodies measuring 0.5 to 2.5 cm in dark or reddish brown, with threadlike antennae and rear pincers that may deliver a painful but harmless pinch.

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Behaviour

Earwigs thrive in moist environments and often enter homes through small cracks and crevices in search of humidity and shelter.

Appearance

Earwigs are a relatively common Winnipeg pest. Ranging in length from about 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm or more, they have flat, elongated bodies, are dark brown or reddish brown in colour, and possess threadlike antennae that are approximately half the length of their body. While some species of earwigs have wings, many others do not.

Extending off the rear of an earwig's abdomen is a set of pincers, known as cerci, that gives it a menacing appearance. Though a pinch from an earwig will rarely break the skin and will not spread disease, it can sometimes be quite painful.

Habitat and Behaviour

In nature, earwigs live in large groups in damp areas such as tree stumps or underneath leaf debris. In your home, they're often found in moist bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms, where they usually come to escape dryness and extreme temperatures. Earwigs are nocturnal and may be seen scurrying away quickly upon being discovered. When threatened or squished, some species produce a foul-smelling odour.

Diet

Earwigs feed on leaves, fruit, flowers, mould, and other insects, such as fleas and mites. They can wreak havoc on your houseplants or flower beds and may target seedlings, rendering your garden a disaster.

Life Cycle

A female earwig lays about 60 small white or tan eggs in a burrow in the ground in spring. They hatch into nymphs a week later and then shed their skin four more times as they grow and mature into adult earwigs over about a 10-week period. Earwigs live for roughly one year, on average, though females often outlive males.

Signs of an Infestation

The following signs may indicate you've got an earwig problem on your hands:

Damaged plants (indoors or outdoors)
A foul smell
Shed exoskeletons
Live or dead specimens

Extermination Process

In Winnipeg, earwig extermination services typically follow a systematic process to effectively eliminate these pests from your property. The steps involved in earwig extermination may include:

Assessment

A professional exterminator will first assess the extent of the earwig infestation to determine the most suitable treatment plan.

Evaluate severity

Pricing Orientation

Identification

Identifying the areas where earwigs are nesting and breeding is crucial for targeted treatment.

Pinpoint hotspots

Locate nests

Direct treatment

Treatment

Various methods can be used for earwig extermination, such as applying residual insecticides, using baits, or employing traps.

Apply insecticides

Set traps

Follow-up

It is common for exterminators to schedule follow-up visits to ensure that the infestation has been successfully eradicated.

Assess effectiveness

Prevent recurrence

Safety Consideration while exterminating earwigs

Need for Evacuation During Extermination

The duration you might need to leave your home during earwig extermination can vary based on the specific chemicals used and the extent of the infestation. Typically, we might ask you to vacate the premises for a few hours up to a full day. This allows enough time for us to settle and for the treated areas to be ventilated properly before re-entry.

Safety Measures After Pest Treatment

Professional infestation cleaners implement critical safety protocols to ensure it's safe for you to re-enter your home after treatments like earwig extermination. These measures help mitigate risks associated with pesticide use.

Cleaning Surfaces: Frequently touched surfaces are cleaned to remove residues.
Confirming Drying Time: Treatments must dry completely before re-entry.
Air Quality Check: Air quality is tested to ensure safety levels are met.
Final Inspection: A walkthrough confirms the treatment's success and safety.

Chemicals Used in Earwig Extermination

Exterminators may use a variety of chemicals to eradicate earwigs effectively. Commonly used insecticides for earwig control may include:

Pyrethrins: Natural insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers that are effective against a wide range of pests, including earwigs.
Permethrin: A synthetic chemical with strong insecticidal properties commonly used in pest control products.
Boric Acid: A natural substance that can be used as a less toxic alternative for controlling earwigs.

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