Silverfish and earwigs are often mistaken for each other because of their similarities in appearance and behavior. However, their differences can help you determine which pest is invading your home. Whether it’s silverfish or earwigs that are taking up residence in your home, our team of technicians can quickly and efficiently eliminate the problem.
How to Tell Silverfish & Earwigs Apart
Two ways you can tell silverfish and earwigs apart are by their appearance and behavior. Earwigs are normally reddish brown or black, and silverfish are silver. The bodies of silverfish and earwigs are less than an inch long, not including their appendages. The most distinguishing difference in silverfish and earwigs are their body shapes:
- Silverfish have flat bodies with a wide head and thin tail which gives off the tear-shape impression. They have three tails at the end of their body.
- An earwig’s head is smaller than its body. They have claw-like pincers at the end of their body which they use for defense.
The second way you can tell silverfish and earwigs apart is by their behavior. You’ll likely find them in dark, cool areas like in your basement bathroom or under a rug. But when they feel threatened, they will act differently. Both will run away, but if you pick up an earwig, you may get pinched by their pincers. It might cause discomfort, but they aren’t poisonous. Silverfish have never been known to attack humans out of defense, so their presence is more of an inconvenience.
Call National Exterminating for your silverfish or earwig control needs!
Whether your basement is crawling with silverfish or earwigs, their presence can send shivers up your spine. Our team will use our premier pest control methods to successfully eliminate these critters and contribute to a cleaner home. We can also help with nuisances such as:
- Ants
- Bed bugs
- Centipedes
- Cockroaches
- Millipedes
- Spiders
- Termites
- & More
Contact our team today to schedule a pest control treatment!