Pest Library
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All it takes is one pest sighting to ruin the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build.
Earwig
(Various scientific names)
Earwigs are identifiable by the pinchers on their back, which are used to hold prey and as defense mechanisms. While they are not harmful to humans, they are harmful to your plants and emit a foul odor when crushed.
RISK LEVEL:
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Risk is defined as how much damage each pest can be to you, your family, or your home
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| Class: | Order: | Family: | |
| Insecta | Dermaptera | Various | |
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| Size: | Earwigs in the adult stage are about 1/4 to 1 in (5-25 mm) long. |
| Color: | Varies from pale brown with dark marks, to plain reddish brown, to black with paler legs. |
| Characteristics: | Flat, long body; front wings leathery, short, meeting in a straight line down the back; hind wings fan shaped, folded under front wings; rear with forceps-shaped appendage; antennae threadlike, about half the length of the body. |
| Geographic Range: | Earwigs are known worldwide; 22 species in the U.S. |
| Food: | Live or dead plants, insects. European earwigs have been observed feeding on honey in beehives. |
| Biology: | Earwigs are active at night, hiding during daylight hours in moist, shady places, under rocks and logs or in mulch. They cannot survive long periods of dryness. They have a bad odor when crushed, and some species can squirt a foul smelling liquid. The forceps may be used to hold prey and for defense. They have 4-5 nymphal instars. Females lay 30-55 eggs the first time, depending on the species. Sometimes later layings are much smaller in number. Earwigs typically occur in groups. Development takes between 40 and 80 days, depending on the species. |
- Crushed earwigs release a foul smell.
- Earwigs are commonly active at night.
- Congregate around plants, as that is their main food source.