Rocklin Earwig Control 

Serving South Placer County, Sacramento County and the Surrounding Areas

What Should I Know About Earwigs? Are They Considered Pests?

You have probably heard about the little insects that crawl into people’s ears to lay eggs and burrow into their brains while they are asleep. The earwigs, yes. In fact, they got their name from this European myth. However, this phenomenon has not been scientifically proven. Their infamous reputation may be due to their frightening appearance.

What Do Earwigs Look Like?

With over 1000 species of earwigs occurring around the world, 22 can be found in the United States. These insects range from ¼ to 1 inch in size. They have long, flat bodies that differ in color from light brown to reddish-brown to completely black. Some species have dark markings running through their bodies. They have three pairs of legs and a pair of antennae that are roughly half their size.

Their most notable feature, however, is their pincers that stick out behind their abdomen. And although earwigs aren’t known to be good flyers, they also have two pairs of wings that let them fly in short bursts. Their hind wings usually fold underneath their front wings. But not all earwigs can fly.

What Are the Characteristics of Earwigs?

Earwigs live together in large numbers. They can be found outdoors under piles of lawn debris, composts, and within trees. Their small sizes allow them to enter structures through cracks.

These insects typically do not bite humans, except when you pick them up. Their pincers are mainly used for hunting prey, defense, and reproductive purposes. Their pinch can be painful, but it doesn’t break the skin, and it is non-venomous either, so they don’t pose a threat to humans. When agitated or threatened, some species of earwigs secrete a foul-smelling liquid to drive away potential predators.

Earwigs are nocturnal insects. They spend most of the day hiding in cool, wet areas then feed at night. They can feed on leaves, fruits, seedlings, flowers, molds, and other smaller insects, but they prefer decaying vegetation and plant parts.