All about earwigs in New Jersey

Have you ever had a bug crawl back into your ear? It’s a horrible feeling that leaves you with the creeping crawling sensations long after the insect is gone. However, earwigs get their names as they were once known as a typical insect that got into the ear canal. While this is an old European myth, the bug is 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.

Identifying Earwigs

Earwigs can be pretty extensive, with the most significant bug growing to almost one inch in size. Their bodies are flat and long, and they come in a variety of colors. Usually, you will see them in a variety of hues from brown to black. Like many insects, they have six legs and supersized antennas 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 rear. 

Their pincers can pinch you, but they’re 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 to you. 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. 

They have two sets of wings, but these usually fold out of sight. Some say the wings look like leather due to their smooth exterior, but they don’t help them much with flying. Earwigs aren’t known for flying, and they can only move in short spurts as they prefer to crawl. The good news is that this common bug doesn’t spread disease, so an encounter with them doesn’t have to be deadly.

Habitat and Preferences

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. They like mold, rotten leaves, and to hide among the flowers and vegetation. They won’t bother you, and they want you to leave them alone too. They prefer to find a nice crack or crevice where they can hide and feast. 

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. 

Should 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 in groups, like ants. They live together in large communities, dining under debris and in trees, eating and living their best life. 

Earwigs won’t choose your house as a 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 since it’s known for mold and mildew and, of course, insects. 

The bathroom is another hot spot for this bug, as where there is water, there is always mold nearby. The laundry room is another area that is commonly frequented. Don’t count out that they won’t come into a bedroom or even your living room; they will go anywhere they can find anything to munch on. 

Another major issue with these bugs is that they’re 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.

Reproduction

During the winter season, these critters burrow in the ground to wait until springtime arrives. 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 independently

Preventing an Issue

Source: NC State

Unlike roaches, you’re not going to be overrun with earwigs in your home. The most significant risk would be having an overpopulation outside your home. However, they do come inside too. Here are some things that 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. 
  • Make sure basement windows are sealed and have no cracks or weak spots for these bugs to enter. 
  • Clean up all leaf debris around your abode and especially make sure you don’t have 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. Additionally, even a concrete basement floor can be an issue if it’s rattled with dirt and debris.

Getting Rid of Earwigs

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 nearby if you have one earwig. 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 us. 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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