Are Earwigs Harmful?

Earwigs came by the name because they were once believed to be one of the creepy-crawlies that regularly sought out ears just to crawl down into the ear canal. While this is an old European myth, the bug can still be quite frightening to see scurrying across your floor. In America, there have been 20 different species of this pest identified, and many of them can be found right here in the Garden State. While they don’t actually love to go diving into your ears, are earwigs harmful in other ways?

Earwigs can grow to be about one inch long so they aren’t exactly tiny. Their bodies are flat and long, and they come in a variety of colors, usually in hues of brown to black. Like many insects, they have six legs and supersized antennae that are half as large as their overall body. The thing that makes them so scary in appearance is the pinchers that are on their hind end.

Their pincers can pinch you, but are basically used to hunt for food, to defend them against their prey, and to aid in reproduction. Though a good pinch from them will be pretty painful, this insect doesn’t transfer any venom. So the answer to the question “Are earwigs harmful?” is NO.

In fact, one pinch won’t even break your skin. No one wants pinchers coming anywhere near them, especially in their ears, but this bug isn’t going to bother you unless you get a little up close and personal. The good news is that this common bug doesn’t spread disease, so an encounter with them isn’t going to be deadly.

The earwig likes to hide, so it’s not common to see them out and about during the day. They prefer to find moist, wet areas to feed like around mold, rotten leaves, and hiding among the flowers and vegetation. Earwigs won’t bother you, and they want you to leave them alone too.

Maybe the better question would be, “Are earwigs harmful to crops?”

Farmers often have significant issues with earwigs, primarily since some of the species will target their seedlings. They can destroy crops and make gardens unproductive when they feed on the stems. Since there are so many different species, some earwigs prefer insects instead of vegetation, so it depends on what type you have around your home.

If you become too close to one of these bugs, they will scurry away quickly. They don’t like to be startled. One thing you will notice is that they prefer to hang out in groups, like ants. They live together in large communities, dining under debris and in trees, eating and living their best life.

Your home is not an earwigs first choice, but they may be forced inside for food if there’s a change in the weather or they lack nourishment. They can come inside with the smallest of cracks, usually around doors and windows. A basement is an ideal entryway, and they can live in this area for a while since it’s known for mold and mildew and, of course, insects.

The bathroom is another hot spot for this bug—where there is water, there is always mold nearby. The laundry room is also a common area. However, they will go anywhere they can find something to munch on.

Like many bugs, these guys are attracted to light, which means that they love hanging out on your patio with you in the cool of the evening. If you have party lights going, then there is undoubtedly an earwig or two nearby ready to crash the fun.

If earwigs present a health risk to anyone, it is their offspring. During the winter season, these critters burrow in the ground to wait until springtime arrives. They can’t live in cold temps so to protect their babies they must dig deep in time for winter. These borrows become the space for the female to lay her eggs. She lays them in the wintertime, and by spring, there’s a whole new generation of earwigs for you to contend with in your yard.

The eggs are on the smaller side, and they range from tan to a whitish color. Oddly enough, earwigs are known as maternal bugs. They, like a spider, tend to care for their eggs until they hatch. Once the babies emerge, the mother will care for them until they’re old enough to make it on their own.

Which is actually kinda sweet!

Wondering if earwigs are harmful is normal. Unlike roaches, you’re not going to be overrun with earwigs in your home. The most significant risk would be having an overpopulation outside in your garden. However, they do come inside too. Here are some things you can do to keep earwigs at bay:

• Caulk around windows and doors.
• Make sure there are no crevices large enough for an ant to enter around the exterior of your home.
• Ensure basement windows are sealed and have no cracks or weak spots for these bugs to enter.
• Clean up all leaf debris around your home and especially make sure to remove any large piles of leaves in the fall season.
• Use decorative rock instead of mulch if your area is prone to earwigs. Mulch is a major attraction to these bugs.
• Seal attic and foundation vents to ensure there’s no way that they can enter through these areas.
• Use a dehumidifier in your basement or other areas that are prone to excessive moisture. Since these bugs like water, you want to avoid any condensation that might attract them.

Sadly, earwigs love dirt too. So, if you have an older basement with a dirt floor, this can be a significant issue. Try to keep the area swept to the best of your abilities, as unfinished basement floors can attract these pests and many others. Additionally, even a concrete basement floor can be an issue if it’s covered with dirt and debris.

Should you worry about earwigs in your home? Well, that depends. Are you overrun with earwigs? While it’s not as common as roaches or ants in your home, it can happen. They often dwell where you will find centipedes and millipedes. If these pincher bugs are freaking you and your family out, you need to start clearing out anything they can feed on. If there’s food inside, then they can come in when nourishment is hard to find on the outside.

Check the landscape of your home. Do you have shrubs that are overgrown and causing shade areas for mold and decay to harbor? Proper water drainage can go a long way in keeping these critters away. Always check the outside to see what might be attracting them to your home, but you must also check for plants and mold that might be drawing them inside.

Since these bugs travel in groups, you will have many more on your hands…even if they are hidden. If you’ve seen a few of these bugs and you’re starting to get worried that they’ve moved in, you should know that you don’t have to share your home with them. Give them an eviction notice by calling our team at Kapture. As licensed pest control professionals in the Garden State, we know how to get rid of earwigs and bring you peace of mind.

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