The earwig is an insect belonging to the order Dermaptera, which includes approximately 2,000 species worldwide. These creatures are instantly recognizable by the prominent, forceps-like appendages, called cerci, extending from the rear of their abdomen. Ranging in size from 5 to 50 millimeters, their dark, slender bodies and intimidating cerci have fueled an often exaggerated reputation for danger.
Debunking the Ear Myth
The name “earwig” itself is a source of widespread misunderstanding, stemming from centuries-old European folklore. This myth suggests the insects actively seek out sleeping humans to crawl into the ear canal, burrow into the brain, or lay eggs. The common name is believed to derive from the Old English term Δ“are wicga, meaning “ear creature.”
In reality, earwigs have no biological drive to seek out human ears. The ancient superstition is baseless, and reports of them entering an ear are accidental occurrences, usually a result of the insect seeking a dark, moist, and sheltered hiding place. Earwigs are not equipped to tunnel through tissue, nor are they interested in the human body as a nesting site.
Physical Interaction and Medical Concerns
The most immediate concern for humans encountering an earwig is the possibility of a defensive pinch from its prominent cerci. These pincers are primarily tools for defense, prey capture, and facilitating mating rituals; males typically have larger, more curved cerci. While an earwig may pinch if handled or severely threatened, the action is generally harmless to people.
The pinch causes only mild, momentary discomfort and is rarely strong enough to break the skin. Earwigs do not produce venom or possess stingers, meaning they are incapable of injecting toxins. They are not known to transmit human diseases, unlike mosquitoes or ticks. If a pinch does break the skin, the main medical concern is minor infection from environmental bacteria, requiring only standard wound cleaning.
Earwigs as Household and Garden Pests
The actual danger posed by earwigs is not medical but relates to their status as nuisance and agricultural pests. Earwigs are nocturnal, preferring to spend daylight hours hidden in cool, dark, and damp environments like under mulch, stones, and garden debris. They are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on decaying organic matter, fungi, and other small insects, including pests like aphids.
When populations are high, this scavenger diet means they can turn their attention to tender plant materials. Earwigs can cause significant damage to flowers like dahlias and zinnias, as well as soft fruits such as strawberries and peaches, leaving behind numerous small, ragged holes. Indoors, they are merely nuisance pests that indicate a source of moisture, and they do not cause structural damage.