The name "earwig" originated in Europe and is based on a popular, but totally unfounded, superstition that earwigs enter the ears of sleeping persons and bore into the brain.

The European earwig was not known to inhabit the United States prior to 1900. Earwigs are native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa and have been introduced into East Africa, the East Indies, Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

In North America, earwigs were first reported from both the Pacific Northwest and Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts. They now occur throughout most of the northeastern states and the West Coast north of central California, with localized infestations in Utah and Colorado.

Earwigs have benefited from man's activities. As a result, the density of earwig infestations is closely related to the level of human activity.

Earwigs rarely fly, and they are unable to crawl for long distances, yet they have spread rapidly. This is because they are accomplished "hitch-hikers." They wander about at night and crawl into any available hiding place before dawn. Thus they may be carried long distances in bundled newspapers, luggage, cut flowers and produce, crated merchandise, lumber and building supplies, automobiles, and even the mail.

The European earwig is a medium-sized insect (1/4'1 1/4 inch) that is easily recognized by the reddish-brown color, short wings, and prominent forcep-like appendages at the tip of the abdomen. The ringlegged earwig, Euborellia anulipes (Lucas), may also occur around buildings. The species can be distinguished by the shape of the forceps.

Earwigs develop from eggs to adult via gradual metamorphosis; the rate of development is temperature dependent. Earwigs overwinter as pairs in cells in the soil. The males are evicted from these cells in the early spring as the female prepares to raise the first of two broods. Each female lays 20'50 small, white eggs, and she protects them from natural enemies, desiccation, and mold.

The early spring brood requires an average of 70 days for incubation; the second, late spring brood only requires an average of 20 days for incubation.

The immature earwigs (nymphs) resemble the adults except for their smaller size, grayish-brown color, and lack of wings. They require an average of 50 days to reach maturity.

Earwigs are omnivorous. They will consume algae, fungi, mosses, pollen, insects, spiders, and mites (dead or alive). Plant material almost always constitutes the bulk of the diet. Thus, earwigs may damage flowers, vegetables, fruits, foliage of ornamental trees and shrubs, and even honey in bee hives. Fortunately, the damage by earwigs is generally much less severe than could be expected by the actual concentration of earwigs.

Earwigs are first-rate nuisances. They are found in and around homes and may be found in household articles, foodstuffs, crawlspaces, debris, cut flowers, produce, and shrubbery. Their grotesque appearance, secretive habits, and occasional foul odor are the primary reasons for homeowner disdain.

Earwigs can be controlled through a variety of means, including natural enemies, trapping, and insecticides. When the European earwig was introduced into the United States it had no natural enemies. Today, we benefit from the activity of several natural enemies, including two fly parasites, a roundworm parasite, and a fungal disease. To fully benefit from these natural enemies it is best to avoid using insecticides during the early summer when the adult parasites are active.

Before attempting other types of control, be sure to remove all debris (boards, stones, paper, etc.) and use mortar or caulking compound to seal all cracks and crevices in the outside of the house. Since earwigs are attracted to light, it may be necessary to reduce lighting around doors, or to use non-attractive (yellow) bulbs.

Earwigs can be easily trapped and destroyed. Set out rolls of newspaper in shrubbery, mulch, tree crotches, and similar areas. Burn or destroy the rolls daily. Or, try using a box trap. To make the trap, use a pencil to punch holes in the sides of a cardboard box near the bottom. Bait the box with oatmeal or bran and set it out in an infested area. A third alternative is to set out pieces of heavy burlap, canvas, or newspaper. Each morning, pick up the burlap and quickly spray with an appropriate outdoor insecticide.

If you choose to use an insecticide out of doors, a diazinon 25% EC formulation sprayed completely around the outside foundation is suggested. If you choose to use an insecticide indoors, a ready-to-use spray of chlorpyrifos or propoxur is suggested.

Courtesy MSU Extension