The earwig, a common and easily recognizable insect belonging to the order Dermaptera, is found globally except in polar regions. Often misunderstood due to its distinctive appearance, this article clarifies the earwig’s identity, debunks myths about its danger, and explains how to manage its presence around human habitats.
Identifying Physical Characteristics
Earwigs are small to medium-sized insects, typically ranging from 5 to 50 millimeters in length, with a flat, elongated body that is usually reddish-brown or black in color. Their defining feature is a pair of prominent, forceps-like appendages called cerci located at the rear end of their abdomen. These cerci are heavily sclerotized, or hardened, and their shape differs between the sexes; males generally possess more curved and enlarged pincers, while females have straighter ones.
The cerci serve multiple functions, including defense against predators, capturing prey, and aiding in courtship and mating rituals. Earwigs also possess two pairs of wings, though they rarely fly. The forewings are short and leathery, acting as protective covers for the large, membranous hindwings.
Are Earwigs Dangerous: Separating Myth from Reality
The unsettling name “earwig” stems from a persistent European myth that these insects crawl into the ears of sleeping people. While the name may also refer to the shape of the hindwing, the fear of ear invasion remains a common anxiety. Entomologists have thoroughly debunked this narrative, emphasizing that such incidents are extremely rare and accidental, as earwigs have no particular attraction to human ears.
Despite their intimidating pincers, earwigs pose virtually no threat to humans or pets. They are not venomous, nor are they known to transmit diseases. An earwig might use its cerci to deliver a pinch if it feels threatened or is handled roughly, but this action is primarily defensive. The pinch is generally not strong enough to break the skin and is more startling than painful.
Habitat, Diet, and Behavior
Earwigs are primarily nocturnal and seek out dark, cool, and damp environments. They are commonly found hiding under rocks, logs, woodpiles, mulch, leaf litter, and in soil crevices. Their preference for moisture and shelter often leads them into basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms when they venture indoors.
These insects are omnivorous scavengers, playing a role in decomposition. Their diet includes decaying plant matter, fungi spores, dead insects, and sometimes tender plants or flowers. A unique behavioral trait among many earwig species is maternal care, which is uncommon for insects. The female guards her clutch of 20 to 60 eggs in an excavated burrow, cleaning them to prevent fungal growth and defending them until they hatch.
Practical Prevention and Management
Managing earwigs is best achieved by making the surrounding environment less attractive. Since they thrive in moist conditions, the first step is reducing excess moisture near the foundation. This involves fixing leaky faucets or hoses and ensuring proper ventilation in crawl spaces and basements.
Sealing potential entry points into the home is another effective measure, such as filling cracks and crevices in the foundation and around doors and windows. Outside, removing debris like piles of leaves, grass clippings, and excessive mulch that serve as daytime hiding spots will discourage their presence. Simple physical traps, such as rolled-up damp newspaper or a shallow can buried with oil, can capture earwigs overnight for disposal.