Category: Earwig

Do Earwigs Bite? The Complete Guide to Earwig Bites and Safety
If you have at any time seen an earwig running over the floor with its scary pincers raised you probably have asked yourself a question: “do earwigs bite?”. This is one the top questions that are most often ask by homeowners to us, about these unknown and mysterious creatures. We should examine the whole truth about earwig bites and thus uncover the lies from the facts.

Do Earwigs Actually Bite Humans?

In brief, Do earwigs bite people, but such instances are quite rare. Most of the specialists come to a common conclusion that an earwig is not a dangerous species for humans and that it is very hardly ever that one can get bitten, these cases are mainly when the insect is not given space to get away or when it is being attacked.

Pinching vs. Biting

Therefore, one should not misled into thinking that earwigs “bite” in the normal meaning of the word. On the other hand, they similarly operate their pincer-like limbs as if they were biting when they feel threatened. The main function of their pincers is as the defensive aspect of the primary body.

In such a case, it can assumed that most probably the earwig would try to grasp your skin as if it would like to keep it instead of giving a fast bite because the pinch is the best part of the skin that can receive a quick bite, thus it would be more expedient for the animal to hold the pinch than to bite it. The pain caused by the pinch would be like a scratch, and in most instances, it would not even get to the extent of breaking the skin.

Earwig Bite Symptoms and Appearance

If you want to understand Do Earwigs Bite this guide will help you to understand. In case the earwig has managed to pinch you, this is what you will most probably notice.

Common Symptoms
- Two separate red marks on the skin, placed a little distance apart because of the two bite
- The sensation of slight pain or discomfort as if you were given a small pinch
- Redness and swelling at the bite area
- Less bleeding
When to Be Concerned

In most cases, earwigs heal quickly without medical intervention. But it is important to consult a doctor and seek medical help if they bite you.
- A strong allergic reaction, such as very hard breathing or hives
- Symptoms of infection, like redness, swelling, etc
- Regular pain or swelling that becomes serious after time has passed
Fascinating Facts About Earwig Behavior

Maternal Care

One of the most amazing and lesser-known facts about earwigs is their exceptional maternal care. Female European earwigs are certainly the only insects that have got a plan and definitely understand that the main purpose of their life is to look after their eggs and young nymphs. To “lick” through the eggs thus keeping them moist and free from mold, mothers will do so and they will also energetically defend their brood to no one but themselves against those who want to catch it, even males who might be the ones to eat the eggs, apart from the predators.

Defensive Secretions

If an earwig is in danger, it will be highly likely that it would be among those species of earwigs that can emit highly unpleasant-smelling secretions from the glands that are located in the abdomen at the distance of 3.9 inches. The secretions thus obtained have benzoquinone substances that serve as a double purpose to them: they not only make predators give up the chase but also protect them from microbial infections thus effectively cleaning up the place. It is also quite funny that these secretions can momentarily stain human skin blue because of their quinone content.

Social Behavior

In other words, it is time to dispel the myth that European earwigs are solitary creatures; in fact, they are very social animals and prefer living in numbers, i.e. large groups consisting of hundreds of individuals. The most recent studies indicate that earwigs that have grown up in groups are likely to anxious about being alone as adults, and the opposite is true for those that have taken from groups: they become stress and more prone to getting fungal infections.

Are Earwigs Beneficial or Harmful?

The Good Side
Earwigs are of great use in natural pest control. They are great hunters of aphids, insect eggs, and other soft-bodied pests. A study at Washington State University has found that earwig is a natural enemy in apple orchards, that is, if an orchard is infest with pests it is going to be necessary to use less insecticides and that populations of aphids are going to be heavily depress by earwigs.

Potential Damage
They may be good as predators, but earwigs can also be the source of the following problems:
- Soft, baby seedlings and young plants
- Soft fruits like strawberries, raspberries
- Corn silks, thus, pollination may be affected
- Flowers like dahlias
Conclusion

Although the term sounds foreign to many, what puzzles most people about earwigs is do earwigs bite?. It may not, at first glance, appear to be a difficult answer, but in actuality, the notion of a pincer pinch is not what one would imagine when considering being bitten. These amazing insects are mostly non-harmful to humans and are usually helpful with natural pest control.

The main conclusion is that earwigs are rather harmless to people. They are predominantly feared and overlooked by the significant amenity they do to the environment, and their reputation is unduly harmed by the lingering nature of the myths that they crawl into ears and eat brains. The knowledge of facts about earwigs would assist us in better understanding the fantastic insects and take responsible measures at times when required.

In case you find the earwigs at your home, do not treat them with fear but rather with moisture controls and exclusion. Keep in mind that one pinch by the earwig is nothing as compared to the pest issues that these insects keep at bay in your garden.
June 24, 2025
Do Earwig Fly? The Surprising Truth About Them
Have you ever tried to figure out do earwig fly? You haven’t. Bizarrely shaped pincers and ears of insects still serve their purpose to confound homeowners across the US past forty years. It is a fact that earwigs often caught crawling through the gardens and occasionally invading the homes, but their flying abilities are still one of nature’s best-kept secrets.

The Amazing Truth About Earwig Flight

Beholders may surprised to hear that early insects have the ability to flit in the skies; however, the truth is a lot more complex than they initially assume. The majority of the earwig varieties have wings, but the instances of them flying are very few. The very name of their biological order, Dermaptera, comes from a Greek word that describes the structure of their wings only.

One example is the fact that they tend to have two wing pairs: the front one (or tegmina) being short, thick, and leathery, while the rear is of a large, membranous, and fan-like shape. Nevertheless, earwig fliers are very clumsy and they usually perform only a few quick flights. Their wings are much less efficient in terms of power compare to those of other flying insects like the housefly.

The Incredible Wing-Folding Engineering

Earwig wings are a splendid example of the natural world’s genius for engineering and design as they have a super-efficient replot system allowing them to retract their wings to a fraction of their original size. Fully outstretched, earwig wings may be over ten times their folded dimension – one of the most excessive fold ratios in the animal kingdom. This intricate origami-type of folding style enables earwigs to have a totally free movement on land while still having their wings protect beneath the hard covers.

The wings fold through about 20 different fold lines alone, forming a structure so compact that it seems to go against traditional origami rules. The wing joints are also made of a special elastic biopolymer, which is called the protein resilin, that gives wings the ability to go from their fold to open states by the snap without the need for muscle power.

When and Why Do Earwig Fly?

Earwig bugs fly when:
- After disturbances: If their nests get waterlogg or destroyed, earwigs can fly to look for a new place to stay
- Mating purposes: Certain species go flying to find partners during the mating season
- Food seeking: Sometimes, they make short flights to the places where they get food
- Light attraction: Earwigs have been observe flying to the light sources; hence, the moon acts as their guide
One among those is the Labia minor species that even uses its pincers to comb its wings out before every flight, according to the study. The majority of earwig flights made at velocities ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 meters per second; thus, “slow-flying” insects is a suitable classification for them.

Common Earwig Species and Their Flying Abilities

European Earwig (Forficula auricularia)

The European Earwig, the most common species in the gardens of North America, is a very rarely flying creature despite having wings that are well-develop. Normally, it’s not their flying that leads them from one place to another, but they are carry on clothes, lumber, or other commercial products.

Shore Earwig (Labidura riparia)

Shore earwigs, also called striped earwigs, are flight-capable and have even seen flying after they became disturbed. This species can grow to be 30 millimeters long and is consider good for controlling pests because it feeds on other animals. So if you wonder do earwig fly these two types can.

Debunking Common Earwig Myths

The Ear-Crawling Myth

Most people are misinform that earwigs, which are the last thing on their minds, will willingly drive themselves into human ears to deposit their eggs or to dig up their brains. The entry of earwigs into human ears has reported in literature only in very few cases, and they have been classified as localities where the bug entities start to display their names, but this is no different from other small insect species.

Are Earwig Pinches Dangerous?

Usually, an earwig uses its pincers to accomplish the task of defense, capturing prey, or realizing the mating process, rather than to attack humans. Thus, if we consider an earwig as the entity, then its defensive pinching behavior can seen as giving a retreat signal to the aggressor because the pinch is so insignificant and there is no case of the skin being broken. The pinch is not poisonous, and any pain that might arise will be very mild.

Seasonal Earwig Activity Patterns

Earwig populations can wax and wane based on specific weather conditions. A hot and humid summer can make the earwigs breed more than usual and thus, increase the population. The highest temperature and humidity in June particularly suit earwigs to survive and reproduce.

Recognizing the rhythms of earwig populations permits the residents of the house to predict the situation; thus, they can take pre-emptive psychosocial steps.

The Bottom Line on Flying Earwigs

To be honest, Do Earwig Fly. But, they are generally more inclined to crawl and hardly ever get to the air if it’s not necessary. Please note that the wing-folding is their most complex engineering solution of nature, which makes them still have the possibility of flying as well as being ground mobile.

In case you have earwig troubles and you are situated in the US, bear in mind that those insects do no harm to people; in fact, they are even good. Concentrate on moisture control, habitat modification, and natural prevention methods since they will be most effective in the long run. In case that’s not enough, you can always ask the pros to come and deal with the problem. They can also offer you specific help, normally for your situation.
June 24, 2025
European Earwig: Understanding This Common Pest

European earwigs are quite well-known insects in the U.S. among those who are engage in home and garden work. A brief description of their appearance would be a slender reddish-brown body and a pair of pincers, which are the most striking feature. The European earwig often appears and is discuss with some topic of curiosity or even fright if it is found indoors or among the garden plants. This blog is meant for people who have or want to have knowledge about this pest. We will discuss all the topics that are related to the European earwig, such as its habitat, lifecycle, whether it bites, and the most important topic of how to get rid of European earwigs in the home and garden.

European Earwig Habitat

The European earwig habitat is a rather unexpected, diverse one that enables insects to spread all over the country. They are lung suited to dwell in moist and chilly conditions and are most alert in the night, wondering around in search of hideouts. When the weather is sunny they hide in cool and moist areas such as beneath rocks, mulch, logs, garden trash or even within flowers and fruits. Encountering these vipers may be quite common in gardens, woods, farms, and suburban lawns due to the dampness, which is their top choice, and it also allows locating spots that will be rich in organic materials and moisture.

When the season for courtship and mating is on, the female earwigs go in search of wonderful, loose soil to bury their nests and lay eggs there. Moreover, they can seen in the crevices of the wood, under the potted plants, or in the stacks of newspapers and lumber that are brought indoors, if the latter is the case. Bearing in mind the ability of the European earwig habitat it is understandable why the insects are so powerful in the conquest of the new territories and that is the very reason that they may appear as a trouble in the house, especially during periods if the dryness or cold time when they are searching for the better conditions for them.

European Earwig Life Cycle

Recognizing the European earwig life cycle is of utmost importance if one wants to control their numbers in an optimal way. Definitely similar to other species of insects, the European earwig life cycle comprises three significant phases, namely egg, nymph, and adult. Typical of females to deposit the eggs in the soil during late winter or early spring, with the number of eggs in one clutch being 60 at most. The diligent mother watches over her eggs in a way that she not only keeps them clean but also free from fungi and predators.

First off, the eggs become nymphs after a week; they are very small adults without fully develop wings and pincers. During 70 days that they will be undergoing further development, namely four growth stages or instars in a process of gradual maturity into adults. It is quite interesting to note that the European earwig life cycle is typical in that females can have one or two broods per year if they are in a favorable environment. Usually, the lifespan of the majority of the adults is around one year, with the males being the group that is generally more vulnerable and tends to disappear first, especially after the winter season.

Do European Earwigs Bite?

Is it among the questions if it is that European earwigs bite humans, that an answer has to found? Technically, yes, but the probability of the event is minimal. Most of the time, however, such insects use their pincers to protect themselves or to catch prey. In case of unintentional handling, a European earwig might pinch your skin, which can result in a mild, red mark or a bit of swelling; however, it is very unlikely that it will cause you to lose skin or any serious harm. Although the old myths, European earwigs do not go into ears to lay eggs or feed on brains—these are just the urban legends

How to Get Rid of European Earwigs

In case you were seeking ways on how to get rid of European earwigs, you are definitely not alone. Here we have some strategies that are simple and very effective to control these pests that can become just like a nuisance both inside and outside the home.

Reduce Moisture

Since a typical European earwig is a moisture-loving creature, get rid of excess moisture in your home and garden that most probably, they will use as a haven. Repair leaked faucets, improve drainage, and do not overwater the plants.

Remove Shelter

Besides that, it is good to get rid of all the possible hiding places of the European earwigs that created by the piles of leaves, mulch, wood, and other debris. Keep garden beds tidy and store firewood away from your house.

Seal Entry Points

Carefully search your house for cracks, gaps, or holes that could be the potential entry places for earwigs, and if found, close them definitely, and thus you will be sure that they will not find a way in.

Trap Earwigs

To catch and kill the earwigs without using chemicals, set some easy traps made from rolled-up newspapers, cardboard tubes, or shallow cans with a little bit of oil. Just splash them where you are sure that earwigs are. In the morning, get rid of the insects that got trap.

Targeted Pesticides

Should you decide to use pesticides on the earwigs, then select those that are earwig-specific. Do not ignore the label, and make sure that you read the instructions. Besides, you can think of non-chemical methods as a priority and only use the chemical ones as a last resort.

Only have the knowledge on how to get rid of European earwigs, it is still possible to be very active for your home and garden to be pest-free without being dependent on chemicals.

Conclusion

The European earwig is a tough and adaptable bug that has become a menace in gardens and homes all over the United States. It is good to know about the habitat of the European earwig, be able to identify the stages of the European earwig life cycle, and also find out the truth about their biting to be able to control the pests better. Above all, your property will be safe, and you will be able to enjoy a pest-free environment if you will strictly adhere to the ways of getting rid of the local pests that are verified to be efficient. Be watchful, maintain the cleanliness and dryness of your surroundings, and do not forget that with a proper strategy, European earwigs can turned from a menace into a mere presence in your home and garden.

June 16, 2025
Silverfish vs Earwig: A Complete Guide for American Homeowners
Household pests remain a mystery to many people since both silverfish vs earwig often create a misinterpretation of their appearance. Household invasion occurs from these pests, although various distinctions stand out, ranging from their physical characteristics to the types of harm they create. The resolution of earwig infestation and silverfish infestation demands complete knowledge about these bugs as a beginning point for successful management practices. This article explains all essential aspects of silverfish vs earwig by describing their patterns of appearance as well as their threats and effective defensive methods against them in homes.

Silverfish vs Earwig: Appearance, Size, Color, Habitat, and Diet

Appearance and Size
- Silverfish: Silverfish are so called because of the silvery color and fish-like shape of their bodies. Adults are 1/2 to 1 inch (12 to 28 mm) long, with three elongated, thread-like appendages projecting from their posteriors and without wings. The body is covered with short hairs, which make it have a glossy and wet appearance.
- Earwigs: On the other hand, earwigs are usually dark brown, with some being light brown, black or even black with an orange head. In length, their measurements range from 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches (6 to 25 mm). Earwigs have a feature like pair of instruments of a pincer shape with hard materials at the end of their abdomen. Although they rarely use them, some earwigs are capable of airborne flights.
Color
- Silverfish: Silvery gray, shiny, and almost metallic126.
- Earwigs: They are brown to black in color; however, some of them may have reddish heads while others present striped legs.
Habitat
- Silverfish prefer to stay in Shadowy, damp spots indoors, such as basements, bathrooms, and attics, or places having the Moist air conditions. They usually attract toward the areas that have paper, starchy material, or fabric.
- On the other hand, earwig are outdoor creatures who like living in areas like under mulch, rocks, or in rotting wood. Nevertheless, they can enter your premise when the local climate becomes hot, dry, or rainy, and they look for wet, cool places such as laundries and bathrooms.
Diet
- The dietary habits of silverfish are limit to the consumption of the starch and protein in the household items: paper, glue, wallpaper, books, and some fabrics. The most common reason for this kind of damage is the consumption of stored documents, wallpapers, and old books.
- Earwigs are omnivorous animals. They live by feeding on rotting plant matter, flowers, and on some occasions, insects. They are more likely to snack on garden plants, but their damage indoors usually small compared to that of the silverfish.
Earwig Infestation and Silverfish Infestation

Both earwig and silverfish infestation can be pretty creepy; however, these pests are know to appear in different ways:

Earwig infestation

Earwigs are more of outside creatures, so you are likely to see them only when they are present in large numbers, especially in the backyards or under the mulch. They might be attracted to humid areas indoors, but generally, they appear during specific months and when Shifts in climate. The presence of visible physical clusters, especially at night, will serve as a good hint of the situation.

Silverfish infestation

These pests are not only shy but also very mobile, so finding them can be quite difficult. You are going to have to look for the signs as in that they are making holes in books, wallpaper, or cardboard, that you are also going to notice yellow stains on the fabric or paper. If you spot the quick, slithery little insects out and about in dark corners, bingo! you know you have a silverfish infestation.

Both earwig infestation and silverfish infestation are more common in homes with high humidity and clutter, but the damage they cause is different-earwigs may harm plants, while silverfish target paper and textiles.

Dealing with Both the Pests

The control of earwig infestation and silverfish infestation can be of a combined nature and include prevention, monitoring, and directed treatments.

For Silverfish:
1. Humidity Reduction: Employ dehumidifiers and introduce aeration to high humidity zones.
2. Seal the Entrance: Closing up all the gaps around your windows, doors, and baseboard with caulk is an effective method of preventing them from entering the house.
3. Destroy Food Sources: Keep books, papers, and clothes in airtight containers. Quickly clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they occur.
4. Use Traps and Natural Deterrents: Placing a sticky trap is a great way; alternatively, you can use a glass jar trap which is covered with tape. Other methods involve the use of cedar oil and leaving some dry bay leaves as repellants.
For Earwigs:
1. Moisture Decreasing: Repair the leaks and minimize the watering of the garden. Keep bathrooms and basements dry at home.
2. Remove Outdoor Hiding Spots: Remove mulch, leaves, and other materials accumulated near the foundation of your house.
3. Traps: Dig shallow cans, fill them half with oil or beer and place them in the soil to catch earwigs. Damp newspapers rolled up can also used to attract and collect earwigs for ultimate disposal.
4. Natural and Chemical Treatments: Safety weapons for the home are things like dusting diatomaceous earth around the doors and windows. In a critical time of tons of earwigs, a good recommendation is spraying Spinosad insecticides or getting the job done by professionals.
Regular cleaning, decluttering, and moisture control are the best defenses against earwig infestation and silverfish infestation.

Conclusion

Home protection requires knowledge about the different characteristics between silverfish vs earwig during their confrontation. These insect species share no resemblance except for their physical appearance because their habitats change differently, and they have alternate eating habits and distinct damage patterns. Silverfish infestation leads to damage to household possessions, but earwig infestations remain primarily outdoors until they enter your house accidentally.

Earwig infestation combined with silverfish infestation requires immediate attention because the signs of both pests should not be ignored. Quick pest control step,s including mold prevention and leak blockin,g followed by purpose-built trap measures will defend your house against pests. Pest control services will efficiently resolve both persistent silverfish infestations and earwig problems so your property remains safeguarded against these pests.

Having knowledge which sets silverfish apart from earwigs establishes your superiority in pest management practices. Keeping watch and responding swiftly with prevention measures helps your home stay completely protected against unwanted intruders.
May 13, 2025
How to Get Rid of Earwigs in House: Effective Control Methods
Seeing earwigs bugs as they move across your bathroom floor or find hiding spots in your basement can cause you great concern. Earwig include small insects that possess pincers alongside their night-time habits, and this combination frequently creates unnecessary fear in people. Many homeowners who wish to deal with the problems of how to get rid of earwigs in house share their curiosity about the best possible methods. The guide offers accurate knowledge about these misinterpreted insects which provides effective control methods.

Understanding Earwigs

The common earwig is typically defined as a Dermaptera creature that has forcep-like pincers that come out from its abdomen, which is a quick way to notice the earwigs. These pincers known as cerci look at first sight to be curved when equipped by males, and straighter when carried by females.

Being insects, earwigs bugs usually can survive in dark and wet places and are active during the night only which means that they are nocturnal. At the same time, they are hiding during the day and do not produce any sounds, so they are still and silent.

Early morning, when the dew covers the ground, the air becomes chilly inside the home, and there is food on the table, some earwigs find a way into the houses through cracks, gaps around doors and windows, foundation crevices, and unscreened vents. They can also embark on the journey through different places such as newspapers, boxes, greenery, or any other objects that people store in places with high humidity. The moment the earwig enters the place, it goes directly to the bathroom, kitchen, basement, or wherever there are plumbing leaks to get the needed moisture.

Do Earwigs Bite?

Many homeowners are concerned about do earwigs bite. While it is true that earwigs can bite, technically, they are relatively harmless. With the pain level, it’s more equivalent to a very light mosquito bite. Another thing to consider is where that bug came from. The bite itself doesn’t always look noticeable, but some people may develop an allergic reaction to the bug bite.

One of the questions that public has actively debate is whether or not the earwigs will become a serious problem.

Are Earwigs Dangerous?

Even though earwigs look pretty awful, they do not harm people. The bugs are not carriers of various illnesses, they are not poisonous, and they only cause mild pain if handled too roughly.

Not necessarily threatening to humans but European earwigs might attack gardens by eating seedlings, small fruits, and flowers such as dahlia, rose, and marigold. What’s more, the earwigs’ presence in large numbers could be a sign of problems with a house’s humidity, which, in turn, could result in a variety of other issues.

Do earwigs get into your ear?

The story behind the name “earwig” embraces the notion that these insects crawl into people’s ears when they are asleep. However, the question of how to get rid of earwigs in house comes down to the fact that it is a very rare occasion for earwigs bugs to enter the ears of human begins.

Earwigs bugs are not even slightly the least bit interested in human ears, and the idea of them burrowing into your brain or laying eggs there is fabricat.

People have contiued to spread this false misconception for ages and in turn, makes people fear these harmless creatures unnecessarily.

How To Get Rid of Earwigs in House

If you are dealing with the problems of how to get rid of earwigs in house. Don’t let an earwig infestation get out of control by taking the following steps:
1. Decrease moisture: Fix leak pipe problems in your house, enhance drainage, and use dehumidifiers to absorb moisture from air.
2. Clean your house: Clean hidden parts and remove visible earwigs bugs using the vacuum cleaner.
3. Set traps: Combine soy sauce and vegetable oil in a dish and place the dish where there is a earwig pollution, especially during the dark hours of the day. This very cheap device you make on your own, will be surprisingly efficient.
4. Use natural sprays: A mixture of dish soap and water or rubbing alcohol and water can eliminate earwigs whenever they come across them.
5. Use diatomaceous earth: This material is 100% natural and it removes the moisture of earwigs because it injures the exoskeleton’s moisture barrier.
6. Seal off openings: Wrap the areas such as the shell of the house and the frame of the window or the doorbell with a caulking gun to avoid such insects from getting in.
Eliminate the inhabited situations: Do away with piles of leaves, a lot of mulch, and other debris from around your house’s exterior.

Conclusion

Even though earwigs are highly unwanted in one’s home, it should not be forgotten that these bugs are more annoying than dangerous. To be convinced that earwigs are insect irritants, don’t get bitten by people deliberately, are not hazardous, and will not sneak into your ears with evil intent, that will make worry cease.

The most effective method for how to get rid of earwigs in house comprises some operations, namely not only eliminating moisture removal, but also hiding places, sticky traps as well as sealing door openings. Accordance with these methods will enable you to carry out the control of earwigs.
May 8, 2025
How to Get Rid of Earwigs: An Authentic Guide Homeowners

The pincer-tailed insects that appear in your home or garden space are common occurrences throughout America. American citizens regularly ask themselves about effective methods to how to get rid of earwigs while stopping their infestation from spreading throughout their homes. The following text explores the earwig insect’s nature, along with their invasion patterns and flying ability, and provides essential information about their complete elimination.

What Are Earwig Bugs?

An earwig is an elongated insect of the order Dermaptera among over 2,000 species present worldwide, and with more than 20 species in just the United States. The earwig bugs are identified with the help of pincer-like clamps or cerci at the end of their abdomens. The petrifying appearance of the insects notwithstanding, earwig bugs are more often than not quite harmless to people, and the fact that they do not enter people’s ears is one of the most widespread misconceptions about them.

The adult form of earwigs is typically dark brown, half an inch to one inch long, has six legs, two antennae, and a pair of short, rarely used wings folded under tough forewings. They are nocturnal feeders and will eat anything provided it is rotting plant matter, flowers, fruits, or insects themselves. They tend to hide from the strong light during the day, and it’s the moist and dark places they go to, such as under leaves and mulch, stones, or garden debris.

Understanding Earwig Infestation

The situation at hand when these insects make themselves at home in your house or garden is referred to as an earwig infestation. Earwig infestation generally happen during warm wet months or when the outside living conditions are extremely harsh forcing the bugs to seek shelter and food and water inside the buildings. So, indoors you might find earwigs in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or anywhere damp and dark.

While earwig infestation rarely causes structural damage, they can be a nuisance and may harm young plants. The presence of several earwig bugs in a house is evidence that the habitat is suitable for their thriving, and that the insect population may soon grow and become a serious problem.

Do Earwigs Fly?

Do earwigs fly? This question often heard. It is true that earwigs have wings but they are poor fliers and it is very rare that they fly. The front wings of the insects usually hide their wings, and most earwigs would rather walk instead of using their wings for flight. So if earwig bugs are seen darting around, there’s no reason to worry because they aren’t gonna fly.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Well then, I guess it’s time to deal with the primary issue of how to get rid of earwigs and to keep the place from infested by earwigs in the future. See the list of validated, workable strategies below:

Eliminate Moisture

Via dehumidifiers or fans, it is possible to eliminate the moisture that bugs particularly earwigs like in the basement, bathroom, and kitchen, thus making these places become drier. This will minimize the occurrence of earwigs in these areas.

Seal Entry Points

A thorough inspection of all the cracks near the doors, windows, and the foundation should be check, and the cracks should then be immediately sealed using silicon caulk. This way, earwig bugs will kept out of your house.

Remove Outdoor Debris

As simple as getting rid of the soil covering your house, removing leaf piles and garden garbage around your house’s foundation will make the place less attractive to the earwigs, and their presence is less likely to increase so rapidly.

Vacuum Regularly

Regular cleaning with the vacuum cleaner is necessary so that not only earwig bugs but also their food, which are the attracting factors, are being remove. That way, your home won’t fetch them.

Use Traps

You can go ahead and make the traps at home. Such a trap you can make soaking a couple of layers of newspapers in water and then rolling them up to make paper cylinders, which you can place where the pests gather. For this trap to work, you will need to clean it regularly, as earwigs are likely to drown, and the water will get dirty. Alternatively, a solution of oil and soy sauce in little trays (not deeper than an inch) will attract the bugs, and the oil will drown them. This method also effective with the traps bought at the stores. However, don’t forget to change the bait and renew the traps if you have the commercial ones.

Apply Boric Acid or Insecticides

Make sure you follow all the preventive measures first, and then you can sprinkle some boric acid where the earwigs are most likely to appear, and never forget to keep it in a place out of the reach of your kids and pets. If the problem is severe, you might need to contact a professional exterminator. The experts would be the exemplary ones who extend their services in fighting the earwig problem both at home and in your yard.

Conclusion

Managing an earwig infestation could be a bit of a shock, but with the right methods, you can tackle and win back your home and garden. Remember, the earwig bugs are more of a pest than a risk, and their presence poses no significant health risk. Your decision on how to get rid of earwigs became easier by the use of the tips on how to eliminate earwigs and keep your living spaces free of any pests. Nevertheless, when the problem is too big, do not hesitate to call for help from an expert in pest control.

If you choose to proceed with these necessary actions now, you will not have to deal with any earwigs for an entire year.

May 7, 2025