Earwigs look alarming thanks to the pincers on their tail end, but they’re one of the more harmless pests homeowners run into across the Valley. The bigger issue is usually just how many show up at once, especially in the cooler, damp spots around a home during spring and after monsoon rains.

What do earwigs look like?

Earwigs are reddish brown, about half an inch to an inch long, with a pair of curved pincers, called cerci, at the tip of the abdomen. They’re often mistaken for a more dangerous insect because of those pincers, but they’re mostly used for defense and to catch small prey, not against people.

They move fast when disturbed and tend to hide during the day, which means most sightings happen when someone moves something they haven’t touched in a while, a planter, a stack of boxes, or a pile of mulch.

Signs you have an earwig problem

• Earwigs found under potted plants, mulch, or landscaping rocks when they’re moved or watered
• Earwigs indoors near damp areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms
• Ragged holes or notches chewed into soft plant leaves, since earwigs will feed on garden plants and seedlings
• Large numbers gathering in door frames or window sills, especially after rain

A few earwigs in the garden is normal and not something to worry about. Large numbers indoors, or noticeable plant damage, is when it’s worth addressing.

Are earwigs dangerous?

No. Earwigs don’t bite people in any meaningful way, don’t sting, and don’t carry disease. The pincers look intimidating, but a pinch, if it happens at all, is usually no worse than a light pinch from your fingers. The main downside to earwigs is the sheer number that can show up at once and the damage they can do to garden plants, not any real risk to people or pets.

Why do I have so many earwigs all of a sudden?

Earwigs are drawn to moisture, and irrigation, over watered planters, and mulch beds all create exactly the damp, sheltered conditions they’re looking for. Numbers typically spike in spring and again after monsoon rains, when the ground stays wet longer than usual. Outdoor lighting can also draw them in at night, similar to crickets, which is part of why the two are often found in the same areas around a home.

How Trellis handles earwigs

Earwig control is part of the same yard, fenceline, and perimeter approach we use for general pests, our Triple Lock Protection System. We treat the yard where earwigs are sheltering in mulch and landscaping, build a barrier along the fenceline to reduce new ones moving in from neighboring properties, and treat the perimeter of the home so large numbers aren’t gathering at doors and windows after a rain.

Earwig control is included in every general pest membership at no extra charge, and it’s covered under your regular bi-monthly service.

How much does earwig control cost?

Earwig control is included in our general pest service, no separate specialty charge. Pricing is based on home size, the same as the rest of general pest coverage, and it’s handled during the same bi-monthly visits as everything else.

Can I get rid of earwigs myself?

Cutting back on overwatering, thinning out heavy mulch, and keeping landscaping away from the foundation all help reduce the damp conditions earwigs are drawn to. It won’t fully solve a large outdoor population, though, especially right after monsoon season when numbers spike Valley wide regardless of how well kept a yard is.