Whether to eliminate an earwig largely depends on where you find it and the size of the population. The earwig is a common household and garden insect that often prompts an immediate, anxious reaction, usually based on unfounded fears surrounding its appearance and name. Management should be based on assessing the situation: are they a nuisance inside or a participant in the outdoor ecosystem? For most people, the answer to “Should I kill them?” shifts from “No” in the garden to “Yes, if indoors” when they become a persistent pest.
Identifying Earwigs and Debunking Common Fears
Earwigs are easily recognized by their elongated, reddish-brown bodies, typically measuring between half an inch and one inch. Their most distinctive feature is a pair of prominent, forceps-like appendages, known as cerci, located at the rear of the abdomen. These pincers are used for defense, mating, and grasping prey; males typically possess curved cerci, while females have straighter ones.
Despite their intimidating appearance, these pincers are harmless to humans, as they are not strong enough to break the skin. The common name is rooted in the baseless myth that the insects crawl into the ears of sleeping people. This is untrue, and earwigs pose no medical threat to people or pets. They are nocturnal creatures that seek out dark, cool, and moist environments during the day, such as under logs, rocks, or garden mulch.
The Dual Role of Earwigs in the Outdoor Environment
In outdoor settings, earwigs are often more beneficial than harmful, acting as opportunistic omnivores in the garden ecosystem. They function as decomposers, feeding on decaying organic matter, mold, and algae, which recycles nutrients back into the soil. Their diet also includes small, soft-bodied insect pests, making them natural predators of aphids, mites, and insect eggs.
Problems arise when earwig populations become excessive or target vulnerable plants. In large numbers, they cause damage by feeding on tender plant shoots, seedlings, and soft fruits like strawberries or apricots. This feeding leaves ragged holes in leaves and can damage corn silks or flower petals, primarily at night. Unless the damage is significant and widespread, outdoor earwigs should generally be tolerated for their contributions to natural pest control.
Strategies for Indoor Earwig Management
When earwigs move inside a structure, they transition to an indoor nuisance, usually entering accidentally while seeking moisture or refuge from extreme outdoor weather. They are commonly found in damp areas like basements, laundry rooms, or under sinks, but their indoor presence is not a health hazard. The most effective strategy for indoor management is exclusion and moisture control, rather than direct killing.
Sealing entry points prevents future invasions by eliminating access to the indoor environment. This involves using caulk to fill cracks and crevices around foundations, doors, and windows. Reducing excess moisture is equally important, accomplished by repairing leaky pipes and using a dehumidifier in damp areas like crawl spaces or basements.
Non-Lethal Removal
For immediate, non-lethal removal, earwigs can be collected using simple traps that exploit their need for dark, sheltered spaces. Rolling up a newspaper or placing a short piece of garden hose near a problem area creates a temporary shelter where they will congregate overnight. They can be collected in the morning and relocated outside away from the structure.
A low-sided can filled with vegetable oil and a drop of fish oil or bacon grease can also serve as an effective drowning trap. When chemical control is necessary for heavy perimeter infestations, targeted insecticide dusts or perimeter sprays can be applied around the foundation. Indoor use is generally not recommended, as earwigs are seeking refuge rather than establishing a population inside.