Earwigs
Dermaptera
General Information
Earwigs get their name from the widespread superstition that these bugs crawl into people’s ears while they sleep.1 Fortunately, this is just a myth and earwigs are considered to be generally harmless to people. Nonetheless, these scary-looking pincher bugs can be a nuisance when found indoors. Find out more about these creatures and learn how to help get rid of earwigs.
- Earwigs are sometimes called “pincher bugs” because they have forcep-like pinchers.
- Earwigs are most active at night and can move very fast.
- They are often transported great distances in potted plants, nursery stock, other plant material, or firewood.
- Earwigs do not bite. However, if they are picked up or feel threatened, they will use their forceps to give a slight pinch.
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Earwigs usually find shelter beneath stones, boards, debris, heavily thatched lawns, or in mulched flowerbeds.
- Earwigs come inside looking for food or a more suitable environment to hide.
- They are scavengers, feeding on dead animal and plant material. Some species will also feed on living plants.
- Earwigs will not damage the home or infest food supplies, but they can be a nuisance when found in the home.
- Some pincher bugs will damage flowers and various crops.
- Their forcep-like tail makes earwigs look dangerous and can be frightening to some people when found indoors.1 However, these scary-looking bugs are not dangerous to humans.
- When disturbed or crushed, earwigs can emit a foul-smelling, yellowish-brown liquid from their sweat glands.1
- Keep compost piles and decaying vegetation away from the house.
- Caulk windows and any foundation cracks to help keep earwigs from entering your home.
- If you notice earwigs in your house or basement, try running a dehumidifier to make the areas less humid, and therefore less appealing to these bugs.
Solutions for Earwings
Easy-to-use and effective for up to 13 weeks*, this ant and roach spray kills problem insects on contact with no lingering chemical odor.
*on Cockroaches and Ants on non-porous surfaces such as ceramic and laminate. (Carpenter Ants for up to 12 weeks. Kills by contact.)
Highlights:
Raid® Ant & Roach Killer 26 kills on contact and keeps killing with residual action for up to 13 weeks*.
- It leaves no lingering chemical odor.
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- Available in 12 oz., 17.5 oz. and 20 oz. sizes.
- Available in Lemon, Lavender, and Outdoor Fresh scents. Also, available in Fragrance Free.
*on Cockroaches and Ants on non-porous surfaces such as ceramic and laminate. (Carpenter Ants for up to 12 weeks. Kills by contact.)
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Highlights:
Raid® Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger kills bugs where they hide without a wet, messy residue.
- One 1.5 oz can treat a room up to 25' X 25' with an 8' ceiling, up to 5000 cu. ft.
- Available in 3-pack and 4-pack.
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Highlights:
Raid® Flea Killer Plus Fogger allows you to treat an entire room with a water-based formula that kills fleas and hatching eggs for up to four months.
- Available in 15 oz. size.
Hidden pests causing problems? Put our concentrated fogger to work! This heavy-duty solution penetrates hard-to-reach areas, cracks, and crevices to kill ants, fleas, and plenty more with no wet or messy residue.
Highlights:
Our penetrating, bug-killing fog reaches deep into cracks, crevices, and other pest-preferred hideouts with no messy or wet residue for you to clean up.
- One 2.1 oz can treats up to 7000 cu. ft.
- Available in 3-pack.
Kills on contact
Highlights:
Raid Max® Spider & Scorpion Killer kills spiders, black widow spiders, and scorpions on contact and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Available in 12 oz. size.
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