Most people are very familiar with common household pests. Roaches, ants, flies, bed bugs and spiders show up in houses all over the country, and much has been written or said about how to prevent these sorts of infestations. But there are also many other pests out there that can get into your home that you might not know as much about. Because of that, we thought we’d try to educate you a little about some of the lesser known or discussed household pests.

Earwigs

Earwigs are small insects with elongated bodies. Usually between one-quarter to one-half an inch in length, they are identified by dark, shiny bodies. Many species of earwigs have wings as well, although they do not fly very often. The most noticeable feature of an earwig are the pincers on the end of its body. These pincers look dangerous, and because of them, many people assume these are nasty, violent bugs. However, this is not true at all. Those pincers have been known to pinch, but they are not painful, and they are not poisonous.

Earwigs can usually be found in moist, dark places, and love to eat plants, which is why you don’t see them inside as often as other insects. If you do find them inside, however, it will most likely be in out of the way places like crawlspaces, attics or basements.

Silverfish

At first glance, silverfish resemble earwigs -- at least a little. For this reason, many people get them confused. A silverfish body does resemble and earwig -- small and elongated -- but that is where the similarity ends. As the name suggests, these bugs are silver in color. Also, they do not have the pincer-like appendage on the end. They also prefer to eat moldy and decaying items, so you can find them most often in out of the way places with old newspapers or books. They also enjoy houses with older, wooden shingles as those can mold over time.

Fruit Flies

Having fruit flies in your home is no joke -- and yet most people don’t think of them as bugs to worry about. Fruit flies don’t need a lot of time to become a problem -- in 24 hours, one bug can turn into dozens, as they multiply quick! As the name suggests, these bugs are drawn to fruit; specifically, they latch onto fruit that has started to go bad. And once you get them, they are very, very difficult to get rid of. The best method is to store your fruit in a locked, sealed container (or the fridge) and wipe down all of your surfaces. Another way to trap them is to put apple cider vinegar into a glass, along with a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. The vinegar will attract the flies, who will then get stuck in the mixture!

For more information on the pests that might be infesting your home, or for help with how to get rid of them, please contact us at A-Academy Termite and Pest Control today!