What is an earwig?
To know if you need professional earwig control St George services we first need to identify that you have an earwig problem.

Like all true insects, earwigs have six legs and bodies made of three distinct segments. They are small, usually no more than half an inch long, with slim brown bodies. Their most defining and disturbing feature is the pair of pincer-like cerci that extend from the end of their long abdomens, and long antennae that protrude from the front of their head near their eyes.

Do earwigs fly?
Most earwigs at first glance appear wingless, but some do have wings. The ones with wings usually keep them hidden under a protective, smaller second wing that looks like part of their exoskeleton and only reveals them on the rare occasions that they take flight. All earwigs, winged or not, spend the majority of their time on the ground, which most people appreciate, as the site of a flying earwig is enough to cause anyone to call an earwig control St George Professional to get rid of them.

Are earwigs dangerous?
Despite popular superstition, earwigs are non-aggressive toward humans and are not likely to pinch with their cerci unless picked up. Earwigs have a misleading name and do not habitually enter human or animal ear canals to lay their eggs. They prefer laying their eggs in subterranean tunnels in the soil outside.

Studies also show that earwigs, unlike many other insects, are less likely to carry and distribute harmful pathogens, bacteria, or viruses. So, while they may look scary, earwigs are not categorized as being directly dangerous to humans.

Why are earwigs considered pests?
Earwigs, especially European and ring-legged earwigs, are considered pests by some because of the damage that they can cause to crops and other plants, and they are considered a nuisance while in the home.

The earwig diet is omnivorous, meaning that they eat plants and meat. They are considered nuisance bugs outside because they eat flowers, corn, fruit, and other plants, as well as enjoy hiding within broccoli, lettuce, and cauliflower. Earwigs also tend to defecate (poop) on plants, which may leave a bad odor, and make the food crop less appealing for human consumption. However, earwigs also consume many different types of insects that are pests. Aphids are a particular favorite of theirs. Because of this even though they do eat crops, they are also considered beneficial insects if their numbers are kept in check.

Inside your home, earwigs have less potential for causing damage, but they are known to make people uncomfortable. They secret a yellowish substance with an unpleasant odor when threatened or squashed, and they are unsightly. Unlike some insects such as butterflies, earwigs are not pretty creatures. And while they have a similar utility in the home as spiders, namely eating less beneficial bugs, most people prefer not to have them in their homes.