The sudden appearance of an insect with prominent, menacing-looking pincers at its rear end can cause immediate concern. Often called a “scissor bug” or “pincher bug,” this creature is the common earwig (Order Dermaptera). While their appearance may suggest a threat, these insects are generally harmless to people.
What is the “Scissor Bug”
The colloquial term “scissor bug” refers to the earwig, an insect easily identified by the pair of forceps-like appendages protruding from its abdomen. These structures are scientifically known as cerci. Earwigs are typically reddish-brown, elongated insects, with the common European earwig (Forficula auricularia) reaching about three-quarters of an inch in length.
Earwigs are nocturnal creatures that spend their days hiding in damp, dark, and tight spaces. They seek shelter under leaf litter, mulch, stones, or in soil crevices to maintain necessary moisture levels. Their flexible, flattened bodies allow them to easily squeeze into narrow hiding spots.
Direct Threat Assessment
Despite their alarming appearance, earwigs pose virtually no physical threat to humans or pets. They are not venomous, do not possess stingers, and are not known to transmit diseases. This dispels the misconception that they are poisonous.
The cerci, or pincers, are primarily used for defense against other insects, capturing small prey, and during courtship rituals. An earwig may attempt to pinch a person if handled or accidentally pressed against the skin. However, the pinch is rarely strong enough to break human skin and typically causes only minor, momentary discomfort.
The most persistent folklore is the myth that they crawl into the ears of sleeping people to bore into the brain and lay eggs. This is entirely false. Although the name “earwig” may derive from Old English words referring to an “ear creature,” earwigs are not interested in the human ear canal as a habitat.
Pest Status and Removal
The main issue with earwigs is their status as a nuisance pest, particularly in gardens and homes. They are omnivores that feed on decaying organic matter but will also target tender plants, soft fruits, and seedlings, causing irregular holes in leaves. Earwigs often wander into homes when the environment outside becomes too dry, seeking out moist areas like basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Managing earwigs focuses on reducing the damp, dark habitats they prefer. Homeowners should remove debris like leaf piles, mulch, and firewood stored directly against the foundation. Repairing leaky faucets and ensuring gutters drain away from the building also helps reduce moisture levels.
Simple, non-chemical traps can be effective in reducing their numbers outdoors.
Trapping Methods
Rolled-up newspaper or short sections of garden hose placed in affected areas overnight will attract the earwigs, which can then be collected and removed in the morning. Trapping them in a shallow can filled with vegetable oil and a drop of bacon grease or soy sauce also works, as they are attracted to the scent but become trapped in the oil.