What’s the Deal With Earwigs?

What’s the Deal with Earwigs?

Earwigs are strange insects: they’re harmless to humans despite their menacing pincers, they’re typically antisocial with each other, and the story behind their name is actually a myth. They can be helpful to the ecosystem, but they quickly turn to pests when they eat live plants and enter our homes uninvited. Earwigs are a common sight in certain months, but here are some lesser-known facts about these strange pests!

They have Asymmetrical Pincers

In an insect world that thrives on symmetry, earwigs are an anomaly. Both males and females have pincers (or cerci) on their backsides, providing the nickname “pincher bug,” but the symmetry between the pincers varies. Males have curved pincers, while females have nearly straight ones.

The asymmetry is more noticeable on a male, as one pincer can be larger and more curved than the other. This supposed weakness actually gives a male an advantage in a fight with another male earwig over territory that contains potential mates and food. Not to worry: the pincers can be fatal to other earwigs, but not to humans!

They have Wings

It may be surprising to learn that earwigs have wings, since they’re usually found on the ground or the floor of a home. They technically have two sets of wings, the forewings and the hind wings, that give them the ability to fly for very limited periods of time. Since these wings are so small and thin, the earwigs cannot fly for as long as another winged insect, like a bee or a mosquito. 

They Prefer Cold, Wet Weather

Earwigs hate the dry heat, which is why they find themselves in our homes during the summer months. The preferred environment of an earwig is cool and damp. They like to make themselves at home in mulch, damp piles of leaves, stacks of firewood, and basements in homes that have one.

When the weather is exceptionally wet, earwigs will come out to seek shelter in a cool, dry place. They’re usually found in homes during the autumn months and the dry heat of the summer, as our comfortable homes provide a true shelter.

They are Nocturnal

It’s surprising that earwigs are nocturnal, considering they’re often found during the day time. It’s even more surprising that they’re attracted to bright lights, since this seems backwards from what we expect from nocturnal creatures. Bright lights on patios and porches give earwigs a way to see the food they are searching for during the night. If they’re on the move during the day, it’s because they’re searching for safe shelter from adverse weather. 

They Hatch in the Warm Months

Although they enjoy the cooler months more, earwigs actually hatch during the warmer months. The eggs typically hatch in the late spring and early summer, and mating season takes place in the cooler autumn and winter months. The warm weather is better for the five stages of molting before they reach their favorite months to begin mating and making themselves at home.

Their Name is a Myth

The scary story behind the earwig’s name is actually a myth! It’s comforting to know that the terrifying tale of these insects crawling in a person’s ear at night to lay eggs is not true. If an earwig is in someone’s ear, it just took a wrong turn while searching for food or shelter. But the odds of an earwig crawling in a person’s ear in the middle of the night are very low, so there’s no need to panic.

It May be Time for Pest Control

While one random earwig in the hallway may not raise any red flags, they can quickly grow into a larger pest problem. When earwigs can’t find any more dead plants or insects to eat, they’ll turn to live flowers and plants to satisfy their cravings. You can always implement preventative treatments if you’re concerned about pests getting into your lovely home, so don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote! 

Citations

Bruckbauer, M. (2021, November 23). 11 facts you need to know about the pincher bug. Family Handyman. Available at: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/earwig-facts/ (Accessed: February 15, 2022). 

Cassidy, J. (2018, June 26). What do earwigs do with those pincers anyway? KQED. Available at: https://www.kqed.org/science/1925887/what-do-earwigs-do-with-those-pincers-anyway  (Accessed: February 15, 2022). 

Earwig. (N.d). Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Horticulture and Home Pest News. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/earwig 

Jesse, L. (N.d.). Don’t wig out over earwigs. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Available at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2009/jul/061001.htm (Accessed: February 15, 2022).