Earwigs are weird little bugs with pincers on their back. They look scary, but they do not bite or spread diseases. Still, nobody wants them in their house, and especially not in the bathroom.
Try this if you are looking for an effective solution to keep them out. There is a simple reason why you might have seen more earwigs in your bathroom than in your basement. Let us learn about them and what you can do to stop them.
Moisture is the Main Attraction
It is damp in bathrooms. There is almost always some moisture around because people take showers every day, and the floors and sinks drip. It is great for earwigs. In fact, they do best in damp places.
They need water to stay alive, and bathrooms are often easy places for them to get it. A bathroom is a much better place for these bugs to live than your basement, especially if your basement is dry and has good air flow.
The basement is not always warm either. Earwigs like it warm and damp. Most bathrooms have both, especially in the summer. That makes the area around your shower one of their favorites.
Earwigs Love the Dark, Too
Earwigs are shy. They stay away from light and like to hide in small, dark places. There are great places to hide in bathrooms, like behind the toilet, under the sink, and in cracks near the tub. It is easy to hide in these places because they are rarely disturbed and are usually dark.
The basement may also be dark, but it does not always have the same amount of dampness or water sources close by. Bugs that like the dark will pick a damp and dark bathroom over a dry and dark basement.
How Are They Getting Inside?
Earwigs are sneaky. They get into homes through vents, cracks in the walls, and small gaps around doors and windows. Some of them will even ride on things you bring inside, like wet towels, firewood, or plants in pots.
As soon as they get inside, they look for the most comfortable spot. And that will take them to your bathroom nine times out of ten.
What Keeps Them Coming Back?
There is a fair amount of stuff, water, and darkness in the bathrooms. Earwigs can burrow in towels, rugs, shampoo bottles, and more. They are even more attracted to bathrooms that are not kept clean or that leak.
Heavy rain can also drive them into the house, particularly if your foundation permits water infiltration or you have wet grass or leaves close to the house.
How to Keep Earwigs Out
To get rid of the earwigs and keep them out of your bathroom, do the following:
- Get rid of moisture:
Fix leaking lines to get rid of water. Always clean your sink and floor. To get rid of the damp, use a fan or open a window.
- Plug up holes:
Fill in cracks and holes in the walls, floor, and around bathroom pipes with caulk. Also, look at the openings and window frames.
- Keep it clean:
Clean your bathrooms frequently. Do not leave wet clothes or towels on the floor. Clear out places where earwigs could hide.
- Remove outdoor habitats:
Earwigs like dirt, damp leaves, and stacked firewood outside of your home. Get rid of these places they like to live. Keep these away from where your house is built.
- Try natural repellents:
Some people use tea tree or lavender essential oils. You can also spray a dish soap and water mix around cracks.
When to Call the Professionals
If you are still seeing earwigs quite a bit, after trying all the things at home, then it may be time to bring in the professionals who know how to handle these creepy, crawly pests.
If you want to get rid of the bugs for good, they can help you pinpoint how they are getting in and treat the area. Experts can also keep you safe in the long term by giving you advice that is tailored to your house.
