Earwigs are common insects that can find their way into homes. Identifying their presence can be challenging, but their droppings, known as frass, offer a clear indication of an infestation. Understanding earwig frass characteristics helps homeowners confirm their presence.
Distinctive Appearance
Earwig droppings are typically small, ranging from 0.5 to 1 millimeter in length. These pellets exhibit an irregular shape, often appearing elongated or cylindrical. Their color generally ranges from dark brown to black, which can make them blend in with certain surfaces. When touched, the droppings are usually dry and possess a crumbly texture, easily disintegrating under slight pressure. They are commonly found in small, scattered clusters, indicating areas of recent activity.
Common Locations for Droppings
Earwig droppings are often discovered in dark, damp, and secluded areas. Indoors, homeowners might find them under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms, or in laundry rooms and basements. Outside the home, earwig frass can be located in crawl spaces, garages, or near building foundations. They frequently congregate under potted plants or within decaying wood. When earwigs enter a home, their droppings may be found on flat surfaces, ledges, or in corners near entry points, such as windowsills or door frames.
Differentiating from Other Pest Droppings
Distinguishing earwig droppings from those of other common household pests is important. Mouse droppings are generally larger, resembling grains of rice, with a smoother texture and pointed ends. Earwig frass, in contrast, is considerably smaller and less uniform in shape.
Cockroach droppings vary by species; smaller ones may leave specks resembling coffee grounds, while larger species produce dark, ridged pellets. Earwig droppings typically lack the distinct ridging of larger cockroach frass and are less granular.
Fly specks appear as tiny, dark dots, often found on walls or windows, and are typically more liquid-like when fresh. This differs from the dry, crumbly nature of earwig droppings.
Termite frass from drywood termites consists of hexagonal pellets that often match the color of the wood they consume. Subterranean termites, on the other hand, create mud tubes rather than distinct droppings. Earwig frass does not have a hexagonal shape and is not associated with mud tubes.
Spider mite waste is extremely tiny, often reddish-brown specks found primarily on plants. These are much smaller and usually only visible under magnification, unlike earwig droppings.