18 Facts You Need to Know About the Pincher Bug (2024)

Home Pest Control

Updated: Aug. 05, 2024

Pest or prodigy? Here's what to know about the wide, wondrous world of earwigs, aka pincher bugs.

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What are earwigs?

Earwigs, aka pincher bugs, are insects known for their distinctive pinchers on the back of their abdomens. They are mostly nocturnal, live in moist shady places and are anciently related to crickets and co*ckroaches. They are considered both home and garden pests, but are also ecologically beneficial to have around, and luckily earwig infestations around our homes are not too common.

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Where did earwigs get their name?

Presumably, earwigs got their name from old wives’ tales of them burrowing into people’s ears, but they don’t actually do that. “This is a myth and has no scientific basis,” says Ian Williams, a board-certified entomologist with Orkin pest control.

However, the translation of their name is the same in many languages: French is perce-oreille, or “ear perforator;” German is ohrwurm, or “ear worm.”

But just how earwigs became associated with ears is uncertain, says Matthew Shepherd, Director of Outreach and Education at Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

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How many species of earwigs are there?

Worldwide, there are 1,800 to 2,000 species of pincher bug, with about two dozen of those living in North America. Some species are as small as an apple seed, while others are longer than an inch. The now-extinct Saint Helena Giant Earwig was the largest, measuring up to three inches long, and was only found on St. Helena, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic.

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Are earwigs good parents?

Every species of earwig we’ve studied so far act as dedicated parents. The European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which is the one that many of us regularly encounter, tends to her several dozen eggs for weeks, defending them from predators, keeping them clean and moving them around to keep them in the best temperatures, says Shepherd.

They also stick around after their eggs hatch. The female continues to provide care as her young develop into a more recognizable form called a nymph. “They provide food for their young much like birds do, bringing a piece of food to the nest or by regurgitating it,” says Dr. Joël Meunier, of the Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte. However, “Fathers do not provide any care as they are chased away by the mothers before they lay their eggs.”

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Are there other species of earwigs in the U.S.?

Yes. There are 10 earwig species native to the U.S., and another dozen or so that have been introduced. The one we most commonly see in our homes is the introduced European earwig, which was first documented in the U.S. in Seattle in 1907. Earwigs as a whole go back more than 200 million years.

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What are earwigs’ pinchers for?

Male earwig pinchers (aka cerci) are curved and they use them to seduce females and to fight other males, says Meunier. Female earwigs, who have straight forceps, use them as scissors to defend their young against predatory arthropods, like small spiders and pseudoscorpions.

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Do earwigs pinch humans?

Yes, but only when threatened, and when that happens, it’s usually not painful. “Their pinchers, while intimidating, are used to defend against other insects and for sparring with rivals, so they don’t need to be powerful enough to use against humans,” says Williams. “They are also not venomous or disease-spreading.”

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Why do earwigs sometimes smell bad?

Many earwig species use chemical sprays for defense. “They have glands on the dorsal side of their abdomen that spray a foul-smelling chemical to deter predators,” says Meunier. “The smell is not as bad as that of true bugs [like stink bugs], but it is still not very pleasant for us.”

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Where do earwigs live outside?

Earwigs near our homes are most commonly found where mulch, leaves or other detritus covers the ground, says Taun Beddes, Extension Associate Professor at the University of Utah. “They also seem to prefer fruit and produce from fruiting vegetables that are starting to get over-ripe,” he says. “To get them out of freshly harvested leafy greens, I’ll soak them in water, ensuring the leaves are separated enough for water to penetrate between them.”

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What is earwig courtship like?

Earwig courtship is intricate and varies, but often males tap and stroke their abdomens with their pincers to court potential mates, and female earwigs may bite males to pick up chemical cues, says Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist with Mosquito Squad.

“When earwigs find their mates, they become amorous acrobats,” she says. “Female earwigs will raise their abdomens, and males will grab on with their pinchers and twist their abdomens 180 degrees. This position could be held for hours as they mate.” Some males also have multiple appendages for mating, in case one breaks off or gets damaged during the process.

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When is earwig season?

We typically see more earwigs in spring and summer since they often stay underground during colder months. “They qualify as social insects because they nest in family groups and can form large groups of thousands of individuals,” says Meunier. “However, there is no caste or reproductive hierarchy in these groups, contrary to what is observed in ants and bees.”

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When do earwigs breed?

Earwig couples typically find a warm nook to overwinter together, such as under stones, firewood piles or leaf cuttings. After mating in the spring, the female kicks the male out, perhaps because males are known to eat the offspring, says Dr. Graham J. Thompson, a biology professor at Western University in Ontario. Then, the mother stays with them for about two months, caring for the eggs and feeding the young once they hatch. Earwigs live for about a year.

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Do earwigs have wings?

Yes, earwigs have forewings and hindwings. The forewings cover and protect their hindwings, which are a very thin fan-like structure. Those fold under and come out for short flights. While earwigs can fly, they rarely do.

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What are earwigs attracted to?

Inside, earwigs prefer damp, cool areas like crawl spaces, unfinished basem*nts and plumbing lines. “In the garden, areas with ample food and moisture, like composts, leaf litter, wood piles and rotting plants, provide earwigs with the food, water, and shelter they need to survive,” says Crumbley.

They are often attracted to oily, greasy or sweet foods. Knowing what attracts them makes earwig traps an effective method for removing them from the home.

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What eats earwigs?

Many animals eat earwigs, including wild birds and chickens, lizards, frogs, centipedes, spiders and yellow jackets. If you are looking to naturally get rid of earwigs outside the home, attracting birds with feeders and birdhouses will help invite one of their most voracious predators.

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Why are earwigs good?

Earwigs are stand-up citizens when it comes to ecosystems. Besides being food for other wildlife, these environmental janitors feast on dead and decaying plants and insects. “In this way, earwigs help break down waste and restore nutrients to the soil,” says Crumbley. “Earwigs will also hunt for small insects, like aphids and mites, that destroy garden plants, providing your backyard with built-in pest control.”

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The History of Earwig Races

Yes! Earwig races were held each year in the town of Sandspit, BC, in the 1960s and ’70s. “Most years the race seems to have been uneventful, but there was one unfortunate incident when a competitor was accidentally squashed by a glass,” says Shepherd. “The last-minute replacement turned out to be a winner and took the title!”

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If an earwig gets inside my ear, what should I do?

Despite their name and the widespread belief that earwigs climb into your ear, actual recorded incidences of this are very rare. However, occasionally, bugs have had to be removed from human ears, including small moths, beetles and spiders. While it’s highly unlikely, if you suspect anything is sharing your headspace, you’ll probably want to consult a medical professional.

“British folklore has it that you can entice it out by offering something it likes, such as a strawberry or the flesh of a roasted apple placed over the ear opening,” says Shepherd. “Despite this, it’s still best to get medical advice.”

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FAQ

What do earwigs look like?

Depending on the species, earwigs can be a few millimeters to a few centimeters in size. They are brownish and have distinct pinchers on their abdomens, hence their other common name, pincher bugs.

Are earwigs dangerous?

No. Earwigs are not poisonous or venomous, nor do they spread disease. “Earwigs will only pinch if threatened, and typically they are not large enough for these pinches to be painful,” says Williams. “As insects that typically eat decaying organic matter, they may even be considered beneficial.”

What do earwigs eat?

Earwigs feed on live or dead animal or plant matter. Some are predators, eating aphids and other insects, and most eat decaying wood and other vegetation, fungi and mold.

Where do earwigs breed?

Earwigs breed well in urban environments, like under firewood, leaf cuttings and other debris, says Thompson.

Can earwigs fly?

Yes. Some species of earwigs have wings and can fly, including common European earwigs. But, their wings are difficult to spot, and they are only rarely seen flying.

Do earwigs go in your ears?

It’s theoretically possible, but extremely unlikely. Their name is the product of an old superstition, which has no basis in scientific knowledge.

Do earwigs bite?

Earwigs are known to pinch humans, but will rarely do so without feeling threatened first. “Their pinchers may look scary, but they are not very strong and will rarely break the skin,” says Williams.

How do you get rid of earwigs?

Earwigs thrive in moist environments, so fix leaking faucets, install ventilation in damp areas of your home, and don’t overwater your garden. Then exclude them by sealing small cracks around entry points, like doors and windows, minimizing crumbs and clutter and moving debris like mulch and woodpiles away from the outside of your home. When you find earwigs inside, an easy way to remove them is with a vacuum.

What repels earwigs?

Earwigs will naturally steer clear of sunlight and dry areas without a lot of clutter. Thompson recommends cleaning up organic debris, like wood and paper, from damp areas like basem*nts and yards.

Additional Earwig Information

For more information about earwigs and what it means when you find this pest in your home, check out these pest control articles.

Earwig Guide

Types of Earwigs

Earwig Life Cycle

Earwig Infestations

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

How to Prevent Earwigs

Earwig Safety

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About the Experts

• Dr. Joël Meunier is an evolutionary biologist at the Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, Université de Tours, France. He specializes in studying multiple aspects of social life and social evolution in insects, especially earwigs.
• Dr. Graham J. Thompson is a biology professor at Western university in Ontario, Canada. His lab studies the role of genes and genetic variation in the evolution and expression of social behavior.
• Matthew Shepherd is Director of Outreach and Education at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, where he has worked for more than two decades.
• Ian Williams is a board-certified entomologist and certified wildlife control professional. He currently works as a technical services manager at Orkin, where he trains and educates Orkin pros and the public about pests.
• Emma Grace Crumbley is an entomologist at Mosquito Squad and a self-described bug nerd who uses her expertise to educate people about the fascinating world of bugs.
• Taun Beddes, is an Extension Associate Professor at the Utah State University in Logan. He has an MS in plant science and co-hosts the KSL Greenhouse Show.

Originally Published: February 14, 2020