What do earwigs look like?
These insects measure between 0.2 and 1 inch in length. They have long, flattened bodies that allow them to crawl into tight spaces. Depending on the species, an earwig can be dark brown, black, reddish-brown, or yellowish. They have antennae on their heads and black pincers on the other end of their bodies.
On the back of earwigs, there are a pair of wings. While they are capable of flying, they are not efficient at it and prefer to crawl around on the ground or in the soil. One theory about the name "earwig" is that, when opened, its wings are shaped like ears.
Do earwigs bite people?
No. An earwig can't bite you. What about its pincers? No. It can't harm you with those, either. The pincers of an earwig are not strong enough to break through human skin. These insects present no danger to humans.
Do earwigs crawl into ears?
Let's debunk two common myths about these insects. First, an earwig doesn't possess the ability to tunnel through flesh, cartilage, or bone. You don't have to worry about it tunneling to your brain. Second, it isn't going to lay eggs in your ear. A female earwig has no reason to lay eggs in an ear. She is looking for a suitable environment for her offspring, one that is rich with food options. Ear canals do not provide this environment.
Are earwigs harmful?
No, earwigs are not harmful to people, pets, or structures.
If I have earwigs, should I be worried about other pests?
Yes. Earwigs are a helpful warning sign that you have a moisture problem. Moisture can cause wood rot, which attracts many pests that can damage your property. Carpenter ants tunnel in wood and create galleries to house their nests. Wood-boring beetles get into hardwood that is softened by moisture. Termite problems often begin with an area of rotted wood.
What attracts earwigs in a house?
If you've read the answers to the other questions on this page, you'll have some idea about what attracts earwigs, but here is a quick and detailed list of potential attractants:
- A stack of logs or a brush pile near your home.
- Leaf litter or a leaf pile near your home.
- An obstructed or damaged gutter system that saturates the soil of your perimeter.
- A junk pile that contains cardboard or paper, moistened by rainwater.
- Decaying wood timbers on your home.
- Objects stored on the ground near your home.
Did you notice a theme? The risk of having an earwig infestation climbs when conditions near your home invite these insects. It is also important to consider these factors in your yard because earwigs will travel across your yard before they establish themselves near your home.
How do I get rid of earwigs?
If you’ve found earwigs crawling in your bathroom or elsewhere in your home or on your property, contact Evergreen Pest Solutions. Our local pest control company offers home pest control services that target earwigs as well as other insects and rodents.
How can I prevent an earwig infestation?
Earwig prevention begins in your yard. We'll build off what we discussed in the last section.
- Remove brush piles, logs, stored items, and other objects in your yard.
- Keep grass trimmed to reduce protection from the sun and humidity near the soil.
- Remove leaves and other organic debris.
- Clean your gutters and repair your gutter system.
- Seal potential entry points using a caulking gun or cans of expanding foam.
- Repair plumbing issues that can cause damp conditions outdoors or indoors.
- Encapsulate your crawl space if you have one.
- Address humidity inside your home to keep earwigs from exploring your interior.
All of these steps will give you significant protection against earwig infestations. For greater protection, consider a pest control service plan. A service plan comes with routine service visits. When we routinely visit your property, we evaluate pest pressures, consider conducive conditions, apply exclusion materials, target key pest populations, apply a perimeter treatment, and more. There is no better or easier way to keep earwigs, carpenter ants, termites, and other pests out of your home. Connect with us today to learn more.
