The Homeowner's Guide to Earwigs in California
If you’ve ever moved a flower pot or patio cushion and discovered an earwig scurrying away, you’re not alone. Earwigs, or pincher bugs as many Californians call them, are a common sight in gardens and homes across the Golden State. While these insects might look alarming, they’re mostly harmless—though they can still cause plenty of frustration.
Let’s break down what you need to know about earwigs, how to manage them, and how to keep your California home earwig-free.
What Are Earwigs?
Earwigs are small, nocturnal insects that belong to the order Dermaptera. They are known for their distinctive pincers (cerci) located at the end of their abdomens. Despite old myths suggesting they crawl into people’s ears, earwigs are harmless to humans and play a role in breaking down organic matter in the environment. However, when they invade homes in large numbers, they can become a nuisance.
What Attracts Earwigs?
Earwigs are drawn to:
- Moisture: They seek out damp areas to hide and lay their eggs. Overwatered gardens, leaky pipes, and poorly drained soil are magnets for earwigs.
- Dark, Sheltered Areas: Earwigs hide under mulch, leaves, and debris during the day to avoid sunlight.
- Organic Material: Decaying plant matter, compost, and moist soil provide a food source and ideal nesting ground.
- Light Sources: At night, earwigs may be attracted to lights on patios, porches, and near windows.
What Do Earwigs Eat?
Earwigs are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and other small insects. Their diet includes:
- Decaying organic matter: Leaves, mulch, dead plants, and compost.
- Living plants: Young seedlings, soft flowers, vegetables, and fruits. They’re particularly drawn to plants with moist, soft leaves.
- Insects: Earwigs are opportunistic predators, feeding on aphids, mites, and small insect larvae.
- Fungi and algae: Found in damp areas, such as under logs or stones.
In gardens, earwigs can be both helpful (by eating pests like aphids) and harmful (by damaging tender plants and flowers).
What Do Earwigs Look Like?
Earwigs have a unique and easily recognizable appearance:
- Body: Long, slender, and flattened, ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch in length.
- Color: Dark brown to reddish-brown, sometimes with lighter markings.
- Pincers: Their most notable feature is the pair of curved pincers (cerci) at the end of their abdomen. Males often have larger, more curved pincers than females.
- Wings: Earwigs have short forewings and can fold delicate hind wings beneath them. While they can fly, they rarely do.
Where Do Earwigs Hide?
Earwigs prefer damp, dark, and cool environments and are commonly found:
Outdoors:
- Under mulch, leaves, rocks, and potted plants.
- In garden beds, compost piles, and firewood stacks.
- Beneath lawn furniture, patio cushions, and decorative items.
Indoors (usually in search of moisture):
- Bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens.
- Around sinks, bathtubs, and leaky pipes.
- In cracks, crevices, and along windowsills.
In California, earwigs thrive in gardens and moist coastal areas, especially during mild seasons.
Do Earwigs Bite?
The short answer is no, earwigs do not bite humans. Earwigs have pincers (cerci) that they use for defense and capturing prey, but they rarely use them on people. If an earwig feels threatened, it may pinch your skin, but the pinch is not harmful and typically doesn’t break the skin.
While their pincers may look scary, earwigs are not aggressive and pose no real danger to humans.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
While their pincers may look scary, earwigs are not aggressive and are not dangerous to humans, pets, or structures. They do not carry diseases, and their pincers are not venomous. However, in homes, they are mostly a nuisance. Earwigs are attracted to moisture, so they often appear in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and kitchens. While they do not cause structural damage, seeing them indoors can be unsettling.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs in California
Getting rid of earwigs requires a combination of preventive measures and direct treatments. These pests are attracted to moisture and dark areas, so controlling their environment and using targeted methods can be highly effective.
1. Identify and Inspect
- Signs of Infestation: Earwigs are typically attracted to dark, damp environments where they can hide during the day. Look for them near windows, in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, or under furniture. Outdoors, they may be found in mulch, leaf litter, or under rocks and logs. If you see earwigs actively moving around at night, it's a strong indication of an infestation.
- Inspection: A thorough inspection is essential to identify areas where earwigs may be entering your home. Pay close attention to moisture-prone areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Check your foundation for cracks, gaps around doors and windows, and any unsealed areas where earwigs could sneak inside. Additionally, inspect your yard for potential breeding sites like overgrown vegetation and damp soil.
2. Preventive Measures
Seal Entry Points
- Caulk Cracks: Seal any visible cracks or gaps in the exterior of your home, especially around windows, doors, and the foundation. This creates an impenetrable barrier that prevents earwigs from gaining access to your indoor spaces. Pay special attention to areas where utility lines enter the home, as these can also be entry points.
- Install Door Sweeps: Gaps beneath doors are common entry points for earwigs. Installing door sweeps can help close off these gaps, keeping earwigs from slipping inside. Additionally, check for any worn weather stripping around doors and windows and replace it if necessary.
Remove Moisture
- Fix Leaks: Earwigs are attracted to moisture, so ensuring there are no leaks in plumbing, faucets, or the roof is essential for reducing their presence. Check for hidden leaks behind walls or under appliances, as they can create ideal conditions for earwigs to thrive.
- Use Dehumidifiers: In damp areas like basements and crawl spaces, running a dehumidifier will help reduce moisture in the air, making the environment less appealing to earwigs. It also helps to use fans in bathrooms or kitchens to circulate air and lower humidity levels.
- Improve Drainage: Ensure that gutters and downspouts are clear and functioning properly to prevent rainwater from accumulating near the foundation. You may also want to regrade the soil around your house to encourage water to flow away from the foundation, reducing moisture levels in the soil.
Landscape Control
- Remove Mulch and Debris: Mulch, wood piles, and other yard debris provide excellent hiding spots for earwigs. By clearing away organic material near your home’s foundation, you remove the shelter they rely on for survival. Keep a clean perimeter, and avoid stacking firewood against your house.
- Trim Shrubs and Trees: Trim back any trees or shrubs that overhang or touch the sides of your house. These plants can act as bridges, allowing earwigs easy access to your home. By keeping them well-trimmed, you reduce the likelihood of pests making their way inside.
3. Direct Treatments
Chemical Solutions
- Insecticides: Use targeted insecticides that are specifically formulated to kill earwigs. Look for products containing ingredients like pyrethrin or bifenthrin, which are effective against a range of pests. Apply the insecticide directly to cracks, crevices, and areas where earwigs are entering the home, being careful to follow all safety instructions for indoor use.
- Outdoor Sprays: For earwigs that congregate around the perimeter of your home, apply an insecticidal spray to outdoor entry points, such as doorways, window frames, and along the foundation. These sprays create a protective barrier that can deter earwigs from entering and will kill any that come into contact with the treated surfaces.
Non-Chemical Treatments
- Diatomaceous Earth: This fine, powdery substance is non-toxic to humans and pets but deadly to earwigs and other insects. It works by dehydrating their exoskeletons. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your home, focusing on cracks and crevices where earwigs may enter. Be sure to reapply after rain or watering the garden.
- Essential Oils: Natural repellents like tea tree or peppermint oil can be an effective way to keep earwigs away. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where earwigs are active. Not only will this help repel earwigs, but it will also leave your home smelling fresh and pleasant.
- Boric Acid: Boric acid can be sprinkled in cracks, crevices, and corners where earwigs are commonly found. It works by poisoning the pests when they ingest it, so be sure to place it in areas that earwigs frequent but are out of reach of pets and children.
4. Traps
- Rolled Newspaper or Cardboard Traps: To create a simple and effective trap, roll up a damp newspaper or cardboard and place it in areas where earwigs are most likely to hide, such as near windows, in the basement, or under furniture. Earwigs are attracted to the dark, moist environment inside the rolled paper and will seek shelter there overnight. In the morning, simply dispose of the paper and earwigs.
- Oil Traps: Create an oil trap by placing a shallow dish or container filled with vegetable oil and a little soy sauce or honey outside your home, or in areas with heavy earwig activity. The earwigs will be attracted to the scent, fall into the dish, and drown. This method can be particularly useful for controlling earwigs outdoors.
5. Outdoor Methods
- Nighttime Hunting: Since earwigs are nocturnal, one of the most effective ways to control them is by actively hunting them at night. Armed with a flashlight, search for earwigs around the perimeter of your home or in your garden. Once spotted, capture them with a vacuum or a container, and dispose of them properly.
- Beneficial Insects: Encourage natural predators, such as ground beetles, ladybugs, or predatory mites, which can help reduce earwig populations. These insects naturally prey on earwigs and other pests. You can attract them by planting diverse vegetation, keeping your yard free of pesticides, and avoiding monoculture planting.
6. Inside the Home
- Vacuuming: If earwigs have made their way inside, vacuuming them up is an immediate solution. Use a hose attachment to reach into cracks and crevices, corners, and under furniture. Make sure to empty the vacuum bag immediately after use to prevent earwigs from escaping and reentering your home.
- Sticky Traps: Place sticky traps in areas where earwigs are frequently seen, such as near entry points or in dark corners. These traps are particularly effective at catching earwigs as they attempt to move across the floor. You can buy these traps or make your own with sticky substances like petroleum jelly.
7. Ongoing Maintenance
- Monitor Regularly: Even after eradicating an earwig problem, it’s important to continue monitoring your home and yard for signs of reinfestation. Regularly check cracks, doorways, and windows, and inspect areas where moisture may accumulate. Additionally, continue with preventive measures to avoid future issues.
- Pest Control Service: If you find that your DIY efforts are not enough, or if your infestation is large-scale, consider hiring a professional pest control service like Woods Pest Control. Our professionals can assess the situation, apply more potent treatments, and offer long-term solutions to keep earwigs at bay. Our pest control experts may also offer advice on improving the conditions in your home to make it less inviting to pests. Contact our team today!
By addressing both the environmental conditions and using effective control measures, you can eliminate and prevent earwigs from becoming a nuisance in your home.