Are Earwigs Dangerous to Humans and Pets?

Earwigs can be one of the most intimidating creatures you can come across. They have a pair of dangerous-looking pincers attached to the end of their abdomen, which makes them seem threatening. If you find them in your house, it's natural to wonder, “Are earwigs dangerous?”

And that is exactly what we will be addressing in this article. We will also tackle what you can do to spot infections and possibly prevent them from showing up in the first place.

 

What is an earwig?

An earwig is an arthropod, which means it has a hard exoskeleton. Its length can be between 6 to 25 mm long. Earwigs have two antennae and have six legs. While they have wings and forewings, they are rarely used, which is why they are called skin wings.

Earwigs are found on all continents except for Antarctica and are nocturnal. They need moisture to survive. Moist crevices are hiding spots for these insects during the day, and they feed on a wide variety of plants and animals during the night.

The pincers on the rear end of the end are used to defend themselves from threats. And while most creatures similar to them are venomous, earwigs are not. However, earwigs can release a yellow liquid if they feel the need to protect themselves, which is not venomous either. It simply gives off a foul smell that allows the insect to protect itself.

But why are earwigs called earwigs? These insects are known to crawl inside the ears of human beings and lay their eggs in the brain. However, this is not true and is simply a fantasy to instill fear.

 

Are earwigs dangerous?

It’s not a surprise if you consider earwigs dangerous, but thankfully, they are not.

Do they bite? No, they also don’t.

However, earwigs only pinch but do not bite. Their grip is not that painful either, and you might not even notice. They don't have any harmful substances inside their body which makes them less of a threat. In pets like dogs or cats, earwigs can pinch them for a while, but pets wouldn’t notice them since they are not painful. Even if your pets eat these insects, there isn't any problem since they are not poisonous.

 

 

Earwigs and plants

While earwigs are not damaging to humans and pets, they are bad news for your garden. These pests feed on garden flowers and hostas, as well as some garden vegetables. Since these insects rely on moisture for survival, they can be found in any dark and moist place.

Rotting wood, especially where mold has accumulated due to a lot of moisture, is one of the most common places for them to hide. Tender shoots of plants are susceptible to damage, especially if hordes of such insects are found.

But, while they are damaging to some plants, they also protect them to some extent.

What do earwigs eat?

Other pests like aphids and mites are prey for earwigs, and they help get rid of other pests that could be harmful to you and your pets. Dead leaves are also food for these bugs since several species are omnivorous.

 

Spotting infestations at home

It is difficult to spot an earwig infection at home unless a big number of these bugs infest your property. But if you are attentive, you can spot early signs of such Infestations to prevent any worsening of the situation.

Here are some signs that you should look out for to spot infestations at home:

• Foul smell: Since earwigs release a foul liquid when they are under threat, a number of them will give off a foul odor in your house.
• Check moist and unused rooms: Dark and moist places are the typical habitats for earwigs, and checking damp or uninhabited rooms is a good idea to spot an early infestation.
• Use night lights: Like moths, earwigs are attracted to bright lights. So, you should consider using dim lights if you suspect an infestation.
• Dead leaves or mold: Dead leaves, mold, and moist soil is habitat for them. If you have these around your house, there might be an earwig Infestation.

 

How to prevent earwig infestation?

Now that you know the different signs to look out for in the case of earwig Infestation, here are some steps you can take to prevent them:

• Use a dehumidifier to get rid of excess moisture so that the insects don't find a habitable environment near or in your place.
• Fix drains or pipes surrounding your house, so that excess water doesn't leak into the soil and isn't exposed to earwigs.
• Clear any decaying piles of leaves or rotting wood from your premises so that they don't have a proper food source to live on.

 

In conclusion

In this article, we've learned what earwigs are and whether or not they are dangerous. We also discussed what they eat and where they are mainly found. With all this information, it is easier for you to spot, deal with, and prevent infestations.

If you spot the signs, make sure you contact professionals to deal with the problem and get rid of the pests for good.

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What Is a Termite Bond?

Are you worried about termites infesting the woodwork in your house? If so, the most effective solution for you is to negotiate a termite bond with a pest control company.

Home insurance policies don't include damage from termites, which is a big reason why you should consider putting such a deal in place. Property owners often find themselves making trips to pest control services to claim insurance.

If you've ever contacted a pest control company for their services, you will be familiar with this contract. However, if you're not, this article is for you. We will explain what a termite bond is, why you need it and what it covers.

 

What is a termite bond?

Essentially, termite bonds are contracts between pest control companies and their clients. Think of them as maintenance or warranty contracts for termite infestations.

The paperwork contains important details about the service provider and the client's terms for an agreement. Among the details included in the contract are:

• the duration of the agreement
• termite control treatment, and
• whether or not repairs will be provided

A termite bond is normally used to cover the pest control company’s services if termites are discovered in the house. You can transfer these kinds of bonds from one owner to the next, and they can also involve a fee. The amount to be paid depends on the size of the house and can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

There are several different kinds of bonds on the market with respect to the company contacted, and their terms are all different from one another.

 

Termite letter vs. termite bond

A termite letter, unlike a bond, is simply a formal statement that a house is, or is not free of termites at the time of inspection. A letter might also include mentions of other wood-eating pests like carpenter ants or bees.

A typical termite letter agreement can cost you anywhere between $35 to $100.

In essence, while a termite letter only declares whether or not termites were found upon inspection, a bond provides a means to cover the damage if it is found inside the house in context.

 

 

What does a termite bond cover?

As mentioned earlier, a termite bond is a warranty contract between a pest control service and its client. It states that the company will keep your house in check when it comes to termite infestations and will take additional steps, if needed, to deal with the problem.

Termite bonds start with a prevention treatment at the beginning of the contract. These deals usually last a few years and agree upon a schedule to disinfect the premises. You may agree to a routine checkup every few months or create a custom schedule by talking to the company themselves.

The best part about termite bonds is that you won't have to pay anything extra if these pests are found after an inspection. Starting from the contract term, you are not required to pay for any additional services provided by the company if termites are found.

 

Does a termite bond cover damage?

It depends on the company you're consulting. To be clear, damage means the costs of any repairs if termites damage parts of the house.

Depending on the company you agree on terms with, the contract will specify if it will cover the damage. They can provide you disinfection only or disinfection with repairs. It is important that you're clear with the service providers in this regard since a good agreement could end up saving you a lot of money when a bond insures you.

 

Do I need a termite bond?

One of the crucial things about having a termite bond in place is peace of mind. The company will keep an eye on your premises to ensure that termites don’t infect them, and you can end up saving a lot of money, as described earlier.

It is also important to be clear on the issue of termites when buying or selling a house. Inspection can delay the process if termites are discovered. So, if you're the house seller, it is a good idea to go for a termite bond instead of a single service visit. This ensures that the house is insured for the future and protects the property against subsequent infestations as well.

 

In conclusion

In this article, we've covered what is a termite bond, why it is needed, and what it covers. Due to the benefits, it is a great idea to invest in a bond to protect your property against future infestations.

In case of infestations, it is best to contact termite pest control professionals to help you out with the damage. So, consider using Bug Guy Services to help you tackle your termite problems easily. Contact them online and get a free estimate.

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