How to identify it
Also called pincher bug. Work down these in order — the first one is usually enough on its own.
- A pair of forceps-like pincers at the rear — nothing else common indoors has them
- Males have strongly curved pincers; females' are straighter
- Flat, elongated body with short wing covers
- Runs quickly and rarely flies
What it gets mistaken for
Most people arrive at a pest name by ruling things out. These are the ones that genuinely look similar, and the detail that separates them.
Where you will find it
- Under mulch, stones, planters and boards
- Damp crawlspaces and basements
- Around door thresholds and weep holes after rain
- Bathrooms and kitchens, wherever it is damp
Signs it is already there
You will nearly always see the evidence before you see the pest itself.
- Earwigs appearing indoors after heavy rain, or during drought
- Ragged holes in the leaves and petals of garden plants
- Numbers concentrated on the damp side of the building
Low. Nuisance rather than hazard.
Why it is harder to deal with than it looks
They are outdoor insects pushed indoors by conditions — too wet, or too dry. Treating inside kills the ones that already arrived without touching the harbourage just outside the wall that keeps sending more.
What actually works
Pull mulch, leaf litter and dense ground cover back from the foundation, fix leaking taps and downspouts keeping the perimeter wet, and improve drainage. Seal gaps at door sweeps, thresholds and weep holes. Individual earwigs indoors are best vacuumed.
Common questions
How do I tell a earwig from a silverfish?
Silverfish are silvery and tapered, with three thin tail filaments instead of a hard pair of pincers.
How do I tell a earwig from a centipede?
Centipedes have many legs along a long segmented body; an earwig has six legs and pincers.
Where are earwig usually found in a home?s
Under mulch, stones, planters and boards Damp crawlspaces and basements Around door thresholds and weep holes after rain.
Is a earwig dangerous?
They do not sting and are not venomous. The pincers can nip if one is handled but rarely break skin. The folklore about ears is exactly that.
Identification guidance only. Under Texas law, applying pest control treatments for hire requires a licence from the Texas Department of Agriculture. This page describes what a pest looks like — it is not a diagnosis of your property or a treatment recommendation for it.