About Earwigs (Forficula auricularia)

Activity: Nocturnal Moisture Seekers

Earwigs are primarily nocturnal insects, hiding during the day in dark, damp crevices and becoming active at night to forage for food. Their activity peaks in warm, humid conditions, typically in late spring and summer. Though often alarming due to their pincer-like cerci (forceps), earwigs are not dangerous to humans.

Occasional indoor invasions usually indicate outdoor overpopulation or moisture problems near a building’s foundation.

Diet: What Earwigs Eat & Why It Matters

Earwigs are omnivores and scavengers, feeding on:

• Decaying organic matter

• Insects, insect eggs, and small invertebrates

• Fungi, moss, and algae

• Tender plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables

Indoors, they may be attracted to crumbs, moldy food, and damp paper or cardboard. In gardens, they can damage young seedlings and ornamental plants, though they also help control aphids and other pests.

Size: Recognizable by Their Forceps

Earwigs are typically 12 mm to 25 mm in length. Key identifying features include:

• Flattened, elongated brown to dark reddish-brown bodies

• A pair of curved cerci (pincers) at the rear—larger in males

• Short, leathery forewings covering membranous hindwings (rarely used for flight)

• Antennae nearly half their body length

Despite their fearsome appearance, earwigs do not bite or sting.

Nesting Habits: Where Earwigs Live

Earwigs prefer cool, moist, and sheltered environments, commonly nesting:

• Under rocks, mulch, logs, and garden debris outdoors

• In cracks, crevices, or under paving stones and foundations

• In basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and crawl spaces indoors

Their presence indoors often reflects high outdoor populations or indoor moisture issues.

Why Professional Treatment Is Crucial

While earwigs are not dangerous, they become a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers. More importantly, their presence can signal larger humidity problems and serve as a gateway pest, inviting more serious infestations like silverfish or cockroaches.

Professional pest control ensures:

• Accurate identification of entry points and nesting areas

• Moisture and habitat control strategies

• Targeted treatments to reduce populations

DIY methods often fail to address the root environmental causes of infestations.

Signs of an Earwig Infestation

Early Action = Effective Control

Be alert for these infestation signs:

• Sightings of Earwigs Indoors: Especially in damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

• Clusters Around Doors, Windows & Foundations: High outdoor populations increase indoor invasions.

• Plant Damage: Irregular holes in leaves, flowers, and fruits.

• Presence of Moisture & Organic Debris: Conditions that attract and sustain earwig populations.

Understanding the Problem: Earwig Infestations

Earwigs indoors are rarely a sign of structural damage but often point to excess moisture and shelter availability. Outdoor overpopulation can lead to mass migrations indoors, especially after heavy rains.

Over-the-counter sprays provide only temporary relief. Without addressing moisture issues, earwigs will continue to return.

Our Professional Approach to Earwig Control

Our earwig control strategy focuses on elimination and prevention:

 Detailed Inspection

• Identifying moisture sources, harborage sites, and entry points.

• Assessing outdoor conditions conducive to earwig infestations.

 Integrated Treatment Plan

• Sealing entry points and reducing outdoor harborage zones.

• Targeted application of eco-friendly treatments.

 Moisture & Habitat Control

• Recommendations for improving drainage, ventilation, and outdoor maintenance.

• Preventing long-term re-infestations.