Orem homeowners know the summertime routine, keeping lawns green, which means irrigation systems working overtime. Yet all that water is causing a problem you may not realize is hiding in the shadiest corners of your yard. Those reddish brown bugs with the scary pincers? They are called earwigs, and they seem to love the watered areas your sprinklers do not reach.
Considering that Orem’s typical household uses about 240 gallons of water per day in the prime summer months, much of it for outdoor use, you are really inviting these moisture-seeking insects indoors. Those puddles by the flower beds, those constant wet spots in the mulch, those mucky areas right next to your foundation, those are not just an irritant; they are earwig apartment complexes. If you are seeing more of these pinch-tailed guests in or around your home, it might be time to call pest control to get rid of pests in Orem.
Why Irrigation Runoff Creates the Perfect Earwig Habitat in Orem
The truth of the matter is that earwigs are addicted to moisture. Their bodies lose water rapidly in dry conditions, so they require humid environments to survive. In Orem, where sprinklers run often due to the semi-arid climate and where water pools, it is a little earwig paradise.
The clay-heavy soils in the city, like most of Utah County, do not absorb water as quickly as sandy soils do. That results in runoff pooling around foundations, accumulation in depressions, and saturated mulch beds long after watering has stopped. Now throw in Orem’s propensity for severe mid-afternoon thunderstorms from July to September, and the city receives nearly 19 inches of moisture each year, and you have days on end of wet. But earwigs are not only quite happy with these conditions; they are also looking for them, congregating by the hundreds in damp areas.
Hidden Spots Where Earwigs Gather After Heavy Watering
- Under decorative rock borders and landscaping stones – These areas are lured to earwigs by the darkness and dampness found below
- Inside drainage areas and French drains – These installations are moist long after the surface water has dried
- Beneath dense ground cover plants – Pachysandra, vinca, and alike produce moisture microclimates on the ground
- Around outdoor faucets and hose connections – Paste adds layers of permanent wetness with slow drips and splash zones
Signs Your Yard’s Irrigation Setup Is Attracting Earwigs
Without you even knowing it, your watering system could be working against you! Here are some signs to watch for that your irrigation is attracting an earwig magnet:
- Continual puddling or wet areas in the exact locations after each watering cycle indicate drainage issues
- Wet mulch that never dries out completely between watering, usually in shaded areas close to your home
- Sprinkler overspray or spray heads spraying in the wrong direction, showing water stains or mineral deposits on your foundation
- Moss or algae that grows on the exterior of pavement, rock, or soil where water accumulates consistently.
- Earwigs during daytime hours in irrigation areas usually are nocturnal, so daytime appearances indicate populations are getting crowded
When Moisture Problems Start Pushing Earwigs Into Your Home
This is where outdoor pest problems turn into indoor headaches. Earwigs are now seeking new territory as their numbers explode in your yard’s wet areas. When nighttime temps drop, or their outdoor habitats get crowded, these pests trail moisture right to your doorstep. They will squeeze through cracks in foundations, slip under door sweeps, and find their way into window wells, anywhere moisture creates a cozy habitat.
At Saela Pest Control, they witness this cycle over and over again in Orem neighborhoods where irrigation systems are frequently tilted. They discovered that properties with ongoing moisture around foundations experience significantly higher earwig infestations, especially in older Orem homes built before modern moisture barriers became common. The crucial aspect is the joint resolution of pest populations and moisture conditions, which is why they usually recommend irrigation modifications alongside targeted pest treatments for effective results.
