Earwigs are outdoor insects that live in damp environments and feed mainly on dead plant material. Contrary to general myth, earwigs do not climb inside ears. They are not carriers of any disease and do not bite. In fact, on the pest scale they are ranked low in importance. Earwigs are known to invade homes at certain times of the year, and a high population of earwigs usually follows a wet spring.  To get rid of the ones already in your home, simply vacuum them up and release them outside away from any building.

To keep earwigs from coming back in, use these simple exclusion measures:

1. Caulk cracks around the foundation of the house.
2. Make sure all doors and windows have tight fitting door sweeps/screens.
3. Earwigs like to hide under cloth. Therefore, laundry should be shaken out before being brought inside.
4. Limit outside lights, and draw curtains in lit rooms. Earwigs are attracted to lights in large numbers.

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