Earwigs

Your worst fear upon spotting earwigs around your property may be the menacing way they position their pincers when they are ready to strike, which can deliver a painful pinch if it comes in contact with the skin. However, they pose a greater risk to garden plants.

Earwigs typically live together in large populations where they can usually be found hiding beneath cool, moist areas, such as holes in trees, wet leaves, and mulch, where they feed on flowers, seedlings, and more, which can cause significant damage to your garden or crops if left untreated.

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What Are Earwigs?

There are more than 10 different species of earwigs in the United States, some of which can even fly.

These bugs are anywhere from 1/4 to 1-inch long with flat, oval-shaped bodies with a pair of leathery-looking hind wings that fold underneath two leathery-looking front wings, and their colors typically vary from reddish-brown to black to pale brown with dark markings. They also have extremely long, fine antennas, six legs, and pincers on the back of their abdomen, which many people find intimidating.

Earwigs usually seek shelter in cool, moist places during the day where they can typically be found in undisturbed areas of your property, such as tiny cracks and crevices. However, when it becomes dark out, you can usually find them hiding under wet organic yard debris where they feed on various resources, which in addition to flowers and seedlings, also includes leaves, mold, fruits, and insects.

When the temperatures drop or their food sources become scarce, earwigs will make their way indoors where they typically enter via exterior cracks. Inside buildings, they are usually sighted near laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and other water sources. However, they will occasionally also make their way to other living areas.

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Do Earwigs Pose Any Risks?

The most common concern with earwigs is that while you are asleep, they will crawl into your ear and feed on your brain; however, there is no scientific proof that this actually occurs.

Earwigs do, however, have a pair of pincers that, though they are mainly used for reproduction and going after prey, will painfully pinch you if you handle them inappropriately. However, they are not venomous bugs, and they are not known to carry diseases.

Some earwigs are also known to release a foul-smelling substance in self-defense.

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Treating An Earwig Problem

Earwigs are attracted to cold, wet organic yard matter; therefore, be sure to remove wet debris from your yard to help keep earwigs away. You should also keep any trees or shrubs trimmed to prevent moist, cool areas around your property, which also attracts earwigs. Moisture buildup can also occur from leaky gutters and downspouts, so be sure to have them checked and repaired as well to prevent an earwig infestation. Since earwigs are attracted to light, one clear sign you have an infestation is if you see them flying near exterior lights around your property.

In the meantime, a professional inspection can do wonders for your earwig problem. The technician will thoroughly examine around the exterior of your home for any cracks, gaps, crevices, and creases that can potentially invite earwigs into your property, so they can be properly repaired to help keep them out.

The technician can also employ one or a number of effective treatments in and around your property to successfully rid any earwigs already present. In many cases, they will also treat the perimeter with a residual treatment to create a barrier around the property that helps deter earwigs from coming in. Furthermore, since earwigs typically burrow their eggs underground, the technician will also consider this when developing your treatment plan.

You may also consider partnering with a professional technician each spring to help prepare your property for the season.