Earwigs

Earwig  (Dermaptera)

Habitat

These insects live together outdoors in large numbers. Earwigs can be found under piles of lawn debris, mulch or in tree holes. They gain entry to a structure through exterior cracks.

Food

Earwigs hide during the day and feeds on leaves, flowers, fruits, mold and insects at night.

Biology

Earwigs are beetle-like, short-winged, ½ to 1 inch in length, and move quickly. The abdomen generally ends in a pair of “cerci”, which look like forceps or pincers, but these are not always present. When earwigs have wings, they are folded under forewings in a complex fashion. Earwigs rarely fly. The adult female Earwig lays about between 20 to 60 eggs in burrows a few inches beneath the soil which will hatch into nymphs in about 7 days time. After passing through 6 nymphal stages, the earwig finally becomes an adult. On average, the total life cycle lasts about 56 days.

Threat

Contrary to folklore, earwigs will not crawl into your ear and eat your brain. They do not spread diseases, but their menacing appearance can be alarming to a homeowner.

Prevention

Remove harborage sites such as leaf piles, mulch piles or other vegetation. Seal cracks and crevices well to prevent structural entry.