Earwigs

Earwigs are small pests with slender bodies and distinctive pincers that can often be found in damp, dark areas of homes. These insects are known to invade basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, where they can become a persistent nuisance. This guide offers easy-to-follow steps to prevent and eliminate earwig infestations, ensuring your home stays pest-free.

Earwig Species Identify Earwigs Hazards & Dangers Get Rid of Earwigs FAQ Products for Earwigs

Common Earwig Species

Here are some of the most common earwig species found across households in the United States.

Species List

European Earwig
Maritime Earwig
Ring-Legged Earwig
Striped Earwig

How To Identify Earwigs

Antennae: Long, thin, and segmented, extending forward from the head.

Size: Typically 0.5 to 1 inch in length, though some species can be slightly larger.

Body Shape: Long, slender, and slightly flattened with a distinctive pair of pincers (cerci) at the rear.

Color: Usually dark brown or reddish-brown, sometimes with lighter markings or stripes.

Legs: Six short legs designed for quick crawling, often with a shiny or slightly waxy appearance.

Sound: Curved or straight pincers at the back, used for defense and handling food, more prominent in males.

European Earwig Model

You can use the following model to help you identify an european earwig .

Dangers Earwigs Pose

Here are some of the dangers earwig infestations can pose.

Dangers and Hazards

Different species of earwigs may pose one or many of the following hazards:

Garden & Plant Damage
Food Contamination

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Apply any of the following treatment steps that are relevant to your earwig issues.

Treatment Steps

Seal Gaps

Seal gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and walls to prevent earwigs from entering your home. Use weatherstripping for doors, silicone caulk for small cracks, and expanding foam for larger gaps. Regularly check these areas to ensure no entry points are left open.
Reduce Moisture

Earwigs are attracted to moist environments. Reduce moisture inside your home by fixing leaks, using dehumidifiers, and improving ventilation, especially in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Keeping these areas dry will make your home less attractive to earwigs.
Clear Hiding Places

Earwigs like to hide in dark, damp areas. Clear away piles of leaves, wood, or debris around your home’s exterior. Inside, clear clutter from basements, closets, and other hidden areas where earwigs can take shelter.
Foundation Treatment

Treat the outside foundation of your home to create a full perimeter barrier. A continuous treatment without gaps prevents earwigs from entering your home from the outside. Spray around the foundation, covering about 2 feet up the wall and 2 feet away from the base to ensure complete coverage.
Treat Problem Areas Inside

Treat areas where earwigs are likely to hide, such as basements, bathrooms, and attics. These spaces are often moist and dark, making them ideal for earwigs. Regular treatment of these areas will reduce the chances of an infestation.
Treat Entry Points

Treat around doors, windows, and other common entry points where earwigs may be getting inside. Focus on cracks or gaps in the foundation, doors, and windows to block them from entering your home.

FAQ

Get more information about earwigs here.

Why do earwig infestations happen?

Earwigs enter homes in search of food, moisture, and shelter. They are attracted to dark, damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, often finding entry through cracks and gaps in doors, windows, or foundations.
Are earwigs dangerous?

Earwigs are not dangerous to humans. They don’t carry diseases, and their pincers are used mainly for hunting small insects. While their pincers can cause a mild pinch, earwigs don’t pose a significant health risk.
Do earwigs bite?

Earwigs do have pincers, but they typically don’t bite humans. If they feel threatened, they may use their pincers for defense, but they are not known to cause harm.
How can I prevent future earwig issues?

Seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and the foundation to block entry points. Reduce moisture by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers. Clear away debris and clutter from around the home and inside areas where earwigs could hide. NatureTek treatments help prevent earwigs from entering and reduce their presence inside your home.
Does NatureTek work on earwigs?

Yes, NatureTek is effective against earwigs. It creates a protective barrier around your home to prevent earwigs from entering and reduces their activity inside. Regular treatments will help ensure your home stays protected from future infestations.

Best Product for Earwigs

The best product for solving earwig issues is the NatureTek Pro Kit. The products included in that treatment have the residual and transfer effects necessary for long-term control of earwigs.

NatureTek Pro Kit

Safe, Effective, Affordable, & No-Commitment