Earwig

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

🔬

PestControlBasics Editorial Team

Reviewed by Derek Giordano · Updated 2026

🔍 Identification

Adults: 12-18mm; elongated; dark reddish-brown; distinctive forceps (cerci) at the tail — curved in males, straighter in females; 2 pairs of wings (rarely fly). Found in moist, dark sheltered areas: under mulch, logs, flower pots, and rocks. Nocturnal. Found inside in damp basements and under sinks.

🧬 Biology & Behavior

Earwigs are omnivores — they eat both decaying organic matter and live plant material AND they eat aphids, mites, and other small insects. Their net garden impact is context-dependent: in orchards they're beneficial aphid predators; in seedling beds they can be damaging. They're unusually maternal insects — females guard eggs and young nymphs. The 'entering ears' myth is folklore; actual ear entry is extraordinarily rare and accidental.

⚠️ Damage & Health Risk

Feeding on flower petals and seedlings (primarily in excessive numbers); entry into homes during hot or drought periods; psychological disturbance. Their pincers can pinch if directly handled but rarely break skin.

🔧 DIY Treatment

Reduce exterior moisture and mulch contact. Bifenthrin perimeter spray. Newspaper roll traps (moisten, place at garden edges, shake into soapy water each morning). Door sweeps prevent interior entry.

👷 When to Call a Pro

Rarely warranted alone.

❓ FAQ

Do earwigs go in ears?

This is ancient European folklore — there is no scientific or medical basis for earwigs entering ears intentionally. They occasionally enter any small, dark, moist space, and there are extremely rare cases of insects (of many species) accidentally entering ears during sleep. Earwigs don't seek ears.

Are earwigs beneficial or harmful?

Both, depending on context. In orchards: net beneficial — they eat apple aphids and codling moth eggs. In seedling beds: can damage young plants. In home gardens: usually neutral to slightly beneficial. Only worth treating when present in pest-level numbers near vulnerable seedlings or when entering structures.

Factor	Details
U.S. Range	All or most U.S. states
Regional Detail	Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

Factor

Details

U.S. Range

All or most U.S. states

Regional Detail

Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

📅 Treatment Timing Guide

Treating at the right time dramatically improves results. Pest control timed to the life cycle uses less product and achieves better long-term control.

Period	Action
Spring	Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.
Summer	Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.
Fall	Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

Period

Action

Spring

Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.

Summer

Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.

Fall

Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

💰 Professional Treatment Costs

Service Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost
Initial inspection	Free (self-inspect)	$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)
One-time treatment	$30–$100 in materials	$150–$500
Annual service contract	N/A	$400–$900/year
Severe infestation	Often ineffective alone	$500–$2,500+

Service Type

DIY Cost

Professional Cost

Initial inspection

Free (self-inspect)

$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)

One-time treatment

$30–$100 in materials

$150–$500

Annual service contract

N/A

$400–$900/year

Severe infestation

Often ineffective alone

$500–$2,500+

Prices vary by region, property size, and infestation severity.

❓ Common Questions About 🐛 Earwig

How do I confirm I actually have this pest (not something similar)?

The most reliable confirmation is a physical specimen — capture one and compare to reference images on this page. For cryptic pests (bed bugs, termites), look for secondary signs: frass, shed skins, mud tubes, or bites with a specific pattern. When uncertain, a professional inspection is faster than months of misidentification.

Can I treat this myself or do I need a professional?

DIY is effective for small, accessible infestations caught early. Professionals are worth the cost when: the infestation is inside wall voids or structural elements, multiple rooms are affected, you have health-risk pests (hantavirus, venomous species), or DIY has already failed twice.

How long until the infestation is completely gone?

Expect 3–8 weeks for most infestations with proper treatment. Insects with dormant life stages (pupae, eggs) extend the timeline because those stages are impervious to most insecticides. Follow-up treatments at 2 and 4 weeks catch each new cohort as they emerge.

What's the most common mistake people make treating this pest?

Treating only the visible pest population while ignoring the harborage site, entry point, or breeding location. Killing adults provides temporary relief but the population rebuilds from hidden egg cases, pupae, or new arrivals through unaddressed entry points.

🐛 Earwig