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August 23, 2024
At Pine State Pest Solutions, we receive plenty of calls every day about all kinds of pests. One of the more common culprits this time of year? The earwig. And we get it—they’re not the cutest critters out there! With their dark brown to reddish-brown bodies and intimidating “pincers,” they can look a little scary. These pincers, technically called cerci, are the real standout feature of the earwig. Here’s a fun fact: females have straight cerci, while males have curved ones. But don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you get close enough to check for yourself!
Do earwigs bite?
One of the most common questions we hear from our customers is, "Do earwigs bite?" Good news—earwigs do not bite. They don’t even have the right mouthparts, so you can cross that worry off your list! But what about those pincers? They certainly look like they could pack a painful punch, right? More good news: while earwigs use their cerci to pinch, they only pinch each other. These pincers are used mainly for defense against other earwigs and aren’t strong enough to hurt humans.
Is it true that earwigs crawl into people’s ears?
The myth about earwigs is that they crawl into people’s ears while they sleep and burrow into their brains to lay eggs. This is an old wives' tale and is false! While the name "earwig" may have fueled this myth, earwigs do not seek out human ears, and they certainly don’t lay eggs in them. In reality, earwigs prefer dark, moist environments, not in our ears.
When are earwigs most active?
Earwigs in Maine are most active during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. They thrive in moisture-rich environments, and the higher humidity levels in summer increase their activity. You'll often see earwigs outdoors at night, as they are nocturnal, and you may encounter them more frequently after rainstorms when damp conditions drive them to seek shelter indoors. They tend to start becoming less active as temperatures drop in late fall.
Earwigs in your home: do you really want them?
Even though earwigs don’t bite or pinch people, do you really want them hanging around your home? Probably not! These moisture-loving insects can end up in places like your basement, kitchen, or bathroom—areas you’d likely prefer to keep bug-free.
How do you keep earwigs out?
Here are some simple steps you can take to keep earwigs from infesting your home:
- Seal the cracks:
Check your home’s foundation and exterior walls for cracks or gaps and seal them. - Caulk & sweep:
Make sure to caulk gaps around doors and windows. Installing door sweeps, especially on basement doors, helps too. - Install a gravel barrier:
To discourage earwigs from getting too close, place a barrier of gravel or rocks between your home's foundation and any mulch or soil. - Clean up the yard:
Remove piles of leaves, grass clippings, and fallen logs—these can attract earwigs. - Check the gutters:
Ensure your gutters are working correctly and directing water away from your home. - Fix leaks:
Repair any leaking pipes or fixtures that could lead to moisture buildup around or inside your home. - Dehumidify:
Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like the basement to reduce moisture levels. - Ventilate crawl spaces:
Ensure proper ventilation to prevent excess moisture buildup. - Switch out light bulbs:
Earwigs are drawn to light, so consider replacing white outdoor bulbs with yellow ones.
Sign up for year-round home pest control service
While these tips are a great start, the best way to keep earwigs (and other pests) out of your home is by signing up for one of Pine State Pest Solutions' year-round home pest protection plans. Our comprehensive services keep your home and family protected from earwigs and other insects, as well as rodents, all year long. Check out our plans and pricing below.
*initial start-up fees may apply.
Do you have questions about earwigs in Maine or want to find out how our locally owned and operated pest control company can protect your home from pests? Contact us today!
This blog was originally published on September 26, 2017; it has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information.
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