Occasional Invaders

What are occasional invaders?

Occasional invaders are types of insects that occasionally, or intermittently, enter homes and other structures throughout the year. These insects usually gather together and enter homes in large numbers when the weather becomes too cold, hot, wet, or dry for them to live comfortably outdoors.

Some of the most common occasional invaders found in Maryland are centipedes, earwigs, and silverfish.

Centipedes
Centipedes have long, segmented, worm-like bodies that are yellow to dark brown in color. Each of their body segments has its own pair of legs. The first pair of legs end in sharp claws that contain venom. They use those claws to capture and paralyze their prey.

Earwigs
Earwigs have long, smooth bodies that are dark brown or reddish-brown in color. Extending off their abdomen is a pair of pincer-like appendages (cerci). Earwigs are commonly referred to as “pincer-bugs.”

Silverfish
Silverfish have elongated, teardrop-shaped bodies that are covered in bluish-brown scales. They have long antennae and three, long, bristle-like appendages that extend off their back ends. They have soft bodies and are wingless.

Are occasional invaders dangerous?

Occasional invaders are not usually considered to be dangerous to people or property. Centipedes will bite people in defense if they are being directly handled. Their bites, while quite painful, don’t pose any serious issues for people. Earwigs and silverfish may look menacing, but they are nuisance pests and cause no harm to people or property.

Why do I have an occasional invader problem?

Centipedes, earwigs, and silverfish are all moisture-seeking pests. They move inside homes when the weather outside becomes too hot and dry for them to live comfortably. They may also move inside during periods of heavy rains. Occasional invaders are also known for moving inside homes and other buildings in the late fall or winter months, when the weather becomes colder. Houses and other buildings provide them with a safe, temperature-controlled environment where they can overwinter. They make their way inside through cracks and crevices in exterior walls or foundations, through gaps around windows and doors, and through spaces found around chimneys or along rooflines.

Where will I find occasional invaders?

Outside, occasional invaders like earwigs, centipedes, and silverfish hide in dark, damp places, such as under mulch, in dense vegetation, in wood piles, under landscaping ties, under rocks, and in landscaped areas. When they move inside, these pests take up residence in environments that mimic their outdoor hiding spots. They prefer out-of-the-way, dark, humid areas, such as attics, walls voids, crawl spaces, basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where they can overwinter.

How do I get rid of occasional invaders?

To eliminate occasional invaders from your home or property and prevent a re-infestation, partner with a knowledgeable professional. At Pest Czar, our local and experienced professionals can provide the comprehensive, pro-active pest control services needed to find and get rid of the occasional invaders living in your home, outbuildings, or on your property. We can then prevent their return by implementing one of our GreenPro certified pest protection plans. For exceptional, eco-friendly occasional invader control services in the Baltimore Metro area of Maryland, call Pest Czar!

How can I prevent occasional invaders in the future?

Preventing problems with occasional invading pests can be tricky. Here are several things you can do in and around your home to deter their presence:

• Put into place a professional residential pest control program from Pest Czar.
• Reduce humidity levels in basement and storage areas by using dehumidifiers.
• Make sure crawl spaces are properly ventilated.
• Remove sources of water around your property.
• Remove overgrown vegetation, shrubs, wood piles, and debris piles from your property.
• Seal cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation, along exterior walls, or along the roofline.
• Place weather stripping around all windows and doors.
• Leave a stone barrier between any grass, soil, or mulch and your foundation.

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