Doing a little gardening this season? As you dig into the damp soil of your garden, flip over rocks in your yard or rake up leaves, you may unearth earwigs in the process. These pests are drawn to dark, cool conditions where they can thrive. From their dark-red colour appearance to the pair of pincers at the tip of their abdomen, earwigs are the very definition of a creepy crawly. While considered harmless and even beneficial for your garden (earwigs prey on other bugs or decaying plants), an earwig infestation can create some major issues inside and outside your home. Large earwig populations can damage healthy garden and field plants and can get into your home when it’s hot and dry outside, contaminating pantry items, damaging indoor plants, etc. making them not only a nuisance but also a serious pest.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you might be wondering about – from how earwigs get in your house to how to get rid of them. 

How to identify earwigs

There are different species of earwigs, but in Canada the most common one is the European earwig. 

Here are some distinguishing features about earwigs:

  • Prominent pincers or forcep-like appendages at the tip of their abdomen
  • Adults can be up to 10 to 16 millimetres long, depending on the species
  • Colouring ranges from a dark red-brown to a shiny black
  • Short leathery wings that cover only mid body with abdomen exposed
  • Long threadlike antennae, almost half the body length

Close-up of an adult European earwig on a white background, highlighting its pincers and segmented body.

From egg to adult: the earwig lifecycle

The earwig life cycle begins in the soil. Similar to other insects, earwigs metamorphose from eggs into adults. Adult females emerge from overwintering to lay eggs in the ground. They produce about 60 eggs at a time, which hatch within a week into nymphs (smaller versions of adults). The nymphs molt 4 to 5 times before becoming adults. Their typical lifespan is about a year, though most do not survive through their first cold season. Others are preyed on by birds, frogs, spiders, centipedes and small mammals. 

Digging into earwig behaviour

Earwigs are nocturnal insects, though they are attracted to the light at night. They hide during the day in the dark, in and under moist places like rocks, logs, mulch and leaf litter. 

Although they’re not social like ants or bees, they can be found congregating in groups – especially during the winter months when they look to overwinter together. Interestingly, female earwigs are also quite maternal. They will guard and protect their eggs and newly hatched nymphs from predators. When threatened, earwigs will use their pincers as a defense mechanism. They may also emit a foul-smelling liquid to deter predators. 

What do earwigs eat?

Most earwig species are scavengers, feeding on dead insects or decaying plant material, while some adopt predatory behaviour, preying on other living insects, arthropods or feeding on live plants. Interestingly, though it looks like earwigs do not have wings, adults actually have fully developed functional wings, enabling them to fly. However, due to their fragile wings and less-than-graceful flight patterns, they typically prefer scurrying over flying.

European earwig on a green leaf, showing its reddish-brown body and pincers.

Do earwigs bite? 

Thankfully, earwigs don’t bite – but they can use the pincers to pinch predators or humans when they feel threatened. Oftentimes, earwigs will only pinch if you pick them up or carelessly touch them. These pinches may leave a couple of tiny red marks that are close together. While it may be uncomfortable, an earwig pinch usually doesn’t cause any significant health risk and the discomfort passes more quickly than a mosquito or spider bite. Their pincers are relatively weak and rarely injure or break human skin. Their pincers also do not carry or contain poison or venom.

How earwigs get in a house

As a protective behaviour, earwigs are most active at night and are attracted to light and warm temperatures. So, they can gravitate to porches and patios, causing damage to plants in garden boxes or flower beds. They can also enter your home by crawling through cracks, gaps, or holes around poorly sealed doors and window frames, cracks in foundation or unscreened vents. They can also be actively brought in on items such as firewood and yard tools. Once they have found a suitable habitat, they secrete a pheromone trail leading to the nest, attracting more earwigs. This behaviour can lead to large swarms around building foundations and other stone structures. 

If your home has any cool, damp, or moist areas (like your kitchen, laundry room, or basement), earwigs may be lurking there. Earwigs like water so look for any signs of possible water damage to your home’s structure, rotting wood, or areas where you may have water leaks. 

European earwig climbing a white surface, featuring its long antennae and curved pincers.

Are earwigs beneficial?

Although unsightly, earwigs do play an important role in nature in gardens and areas of dense vegetation. Earwigs also prey on pest insects such as aphids, which commonly attack outdoor gardens and foliage, so they act as natural biological control agents. Earwigs are also a food source to wildlife, smaller animals and birds making them a crucial part of the food chain within our ecosystems.

Are earwigs dangerous? 

No, earwigs aren’t dangerous, but they can be a nuisance and destructive in large numbers. Where they can be the most problematic is in your flower or vegetable gardens. They can feed on flowers, vegetables, ornamental trees and shrubs, killing healthy plants and all of your hard work. 

When indoors, earwigs can contaminate food items, clothing and the foul secretion they produce can cause an unpleasant smell. Here are some earwig prevention tips that can help or you can reach out for professional assistance with earwig removal from your local Orkin Pro. 

How to get rid of earwigs in the garden

Earwigs are one of the biggest garden pests. Don’t let them get the best of you or your plants. If you have earwigs in your garden and yard, there are some simple preventive strategies you can try or you can contact an Orkin Pro for earwig pest control:

  • Remove unnecessary moisture sources from your property, including yards and gardens. Fix leaking taps and hoses, and eliminate items that retain moisture, such as flower pots, rocks and yard tools.
  • Clear away excess organic debris like leaf litter, grass clippings and lawn waste. Regularly turn and aerate garden soil to maintain dryness.
  • Reduce clutter in your yard, as it can provide harbourage for earwigs. Store firewood and logs off the ground and away from walls.
  • Keep your foundation dry by removing moisture, mulch, leaves, vegetation and other organic materials to eliminate potential food sources and habitats for earwigs.
  • Seal all cracks and crevices in exterior walls to prevent indoor entry.

Here are some more suggestions on how to get rid of earwigs, from landscaping to home tips that can help keep earwigs away.  

Close up of European earwig walking on a green leaf, with visible antennae and distinctive pincers.

How to get rid of earwigs in potted plants

Once inside your home, earwigs can also feed on indoor plants, too. They are commonly found in potted plants, in the saucer that’s used to catch water. If you do happen to find earwigs in your potted plants, be sure to remove the plant and shake it out outdoors. Then dry the saucer and inspect the soil to see if there are any potential earwig eggs inside. Vacuum the area where your potted plants are located and remove the bag once you’re done. 

Earwig FAQs 

Here are some of the most common questions and misconceptions about earwigs. 

Do earwigs go in ears?

The idea that earwigs enter into human ears as they sleep is an old superstition, with no scientific basis. Earwigs tend to avoid contact with humans and do not attack unless they are defending themselves. There is no anecdotal or scientific proof that earwigs crawl into human ears. They tend to avoid contact with people altogether. 

Will earwigs eat my plants?

Earwigs love to feed on any plant materials including flowers, leaves, vegetation and fruits – so yes, they will eat your plants. They also feed on small insects, spiders, etc.

What are earwigs a sign of?

Earwigs are a natural part of our ecosystem, and their population varies from season to season depending on environmental conditions such as rain, temperature, humidity, habitat and food source. High population in gardens, yards or indoors indicates high moisture conditions, readily available food sources and harbourage spots.

Are earwigs harmful to humans or pets?

Earwigs pose no harm to humans or pets as they do not transmit pathogens or, in most cases, cause significant harm with their bites or pincers.

Why are earwigs in my house?

Earwigs are attracted to moist conditions. Leaky pipes, humid basements, or any damp areas in your home can serve as an attractive environment. Once they find such ideal conditions, earwigs release pheromones to bring more earwigs to the same space. Their presence indoors also means there are entry points in the house structure that the earwigs are using to get inside – cracks in foundation, gaps around utility line entry points, on screen vents, worn or poorly sealed door and window seals. Flooded outdoor white lights can also draw them to the house foundations and walls where they eventually crawl indoors.

How can I get rid of earwigs naturally?

There are various remedies available to help get rid of earwigs. However, effective control and management of earwig infestation requires an integrated approach of active population control by treatments and reducing the factors that attract them. When indoors, minor earwig activity can be removed by vacuuming or use of home-made or commercial traps. However, for peace of mind and effective control, we recommend contacting your local Orkin Pro for a free estimate, inspections, or for more information on how to get rid of earwigs.

Contact Orkin Canada for Earwig Control

If you are experiencing earwig infestations in your home or yard, contact Orkin Canada for an assessment. We will develop a customised earwig control program specific to your property or home to eliminate the infestation and put preventive measures in place to prevent further infestations. Contact us today to learn more.