Pest Guide: What Is an Earwig?

Earwigs frequent damp areas along the outside of your home. They are nocturnal and like to hide out in dark spaces during the day to flee from the sun. These bugs can come inside when they are looking for a damp, cool, and dark environment.

Once they are inside your home, they may stay there if the habitat is hospitable. They will congregate around potted plants, under rugs, newspapers, and other similar spots that are in a cool, dark location such as a bathroom or basement.

Although these pests look a bit scary, they are nothing more than a nuisance. Earwigs can try to pinch humans, but it is unlikely since most will simply run away. They do not cause any diseases or illnesses for humans or pets. Most importantly, they do not crawl into ears or burrow into brains.

Earwigs prefer damp and dark areas, so make sure to remove any sources of moisture around your home. This includes fixing leaky pipes, cleaning gutters, and removing any standing water around your home. Remove any piles of leaves, grass clippings, and other organic debris from your yard. Some people will also place rolled-up newspapers or cardboard tubes in areas where you have seen earwigs. The earwigs will crawl into the tubes and you can dispose of them by shaking them out into a bucket of soapy water.

If you have a complete Earwig infestation, call our experts to help you out. We are specifically trained in locating hotspots and can treat them accordingly. All products we use are EPA-registered for pest control. Our technicians are also skilled in applying the product safely to ensure your family members and pets remain safe throughout the entire process.