All About Earwigs in Utah: Facts, Habits & Effective Control
Earwigs are those creepy-crawly insects that often startle Utah homeowners when they scurry out from under a rock or flower pot. With their slick brown bodies and menacing-looking rear pincers, earwigs certainly look like something to be wary of. An old myth even claims they crawl into people’s ears at night, a superstition that has long since been debunked. In reality, earwigs are more of a nuisance pest than a dangerous one, and they even play a role as decomposers and insect predators in the garden. But that doesn’t mean you want them invading your home or feasting on your plants! If earwigs are becoming unwelcome guests in your yard or house, don’t worry, there are ways to manage them. Effective earwig control in Utah starts with understanding these insects, and if needed, getting help from a professional service like Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour pest control program.
Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about earwigs, what they are, where they live, what they eat, and whether they’re dangerous plus some fun facts and DIY tips to reduce earwig activity. And when those pincered pests keep coming despite your efforts, we’ll show how Yard Armour by Lawn Doctor can provide a long-term earwig control solution for your Utah County or Heber Valley home.
What Are Earwigs?
Earwigs (sometimes called “pincher bugs”) are insects known for the prominent forceps-like appendages on their rear end. These appendages, called cerci, are curved pincers that look intimidating but mainly serve for self-defense and mating displays. The most common species in Utah is the European earwig, a brown, elongated insect usually about ½ to 1 inch long when fully grown. Earwigs have six legs and two slender antennae, and though they do have wings (in fact, two pairs), they are weak fliers and rarely use them. Instead, they prefer to crawl swiftly around your garden or floor.
In terms of anatomy, earwigs have somewhat flattened bodies that allow them to slip into tight crevices. Adults sport short, leathery forewings that cover delicate fan-like hindwings. If you disturb an earwig, it might emit a foul odor as a defense mechanism they can release a yellowish-brown fluid from scent glands that smells quite unpleasant to deter predators. Despite their fierce appearance and smelly tricks, earwigs are not aggressive toward humans. They might use their cerci to pinch if handled, but the pinch is mild and usually doesn’t even break skin. In short, an earwig is a creepy-looking but generally harmless insect that tends to stay out of sight during the day and go exploring at night.
Where Do Earwigs Live?
Earwigs thrive in moist, dark environments. Outdoors, they favor hiding spots like garden mulch, underneath rocks or logs, in leaf litter, and in any shady crevice that stays damp. Peek under a flower pot or beneath a layer of wet leaves and you might find a few earwigs resting there by day. They avoid sunlight and heat, so during daylight hours earwigs lay low in cool, humid areas, often burrowing into soil or squeezing into cracks under bark and stones. Here in Utah, much of our climate is dry, but earwigs take full advantage of any irrigated lawns, garden beds, or drip lines that provide the moisture they crave. A thick mulch bed or a stack of damp firewood against the house is essentially an earwig hotel.
Because they require moisture, earwig populations tend to boom in the spring and summer when water is more abundant. As night falls, they emerge from their hiding places to forage. (If you’ve ever noticed slender brown bugs with pincers crawling on your patio or porch on a summer night, it’s likely they were earwigs attracted by the light and searching for food or water.) Earwigs can also wander indoors, especially when the weather outside becomes inhospitable. During hot, dry spells, or conversely when autumn cold arrives, earwigs may slip through cracks seeking a more comfortable environment. Homeowners in Utah County and the Heber Valley might encounter earwigs in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and laundry rooms, since these areas often have humidity and darkness earwigs appreciate. Essentially, anywhere that’s cool, damp, and hidden can serve as an earwig hiding spot. They don’t live in your home full-time (they much prefer living outside in soil or mulch), but they may accidentally end up inside and hang around wherever they find water. If you’re consistently finding earwigs indoors, it’s a sign some of their outdoor hiding spots might be very close to your foundation, or that there are entry points they’re exploiting to get in.
What Do Earwigs Eat?
Earwigs are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat a bit of everything given the opportunity. In nature, they serve as decomposers by feeding on decaying plant matter, dead insects, and other organic debris. Take a flashlight into your garden at night and you might catch them munching on fallen leaves or rotting wood. Earwigs also feed on live plants, they have a pair of biting mouthparts that can chew holes in leaves, flowers, and fruits. Gardeners often blame earwigs when they wake up to find ragged edges on plant leaves or petals full of small holes. In Utah, earwigs have been known to damage marigolds, zinnias, dahlias, basil, roses, and various fruits and vegetables like peaches, berries, and corn silk. For example, if your basil leaves have irregular chew marks or your petunia petals are mysteriously tattered, earwigs could be the culprits dining overnight.
On the flip side, earwigs also eat other insects and pests. They will prey on aphids, mites, and insect eggs, which can make them beneficial in small numbers. A few earwigs in your garden might help keep aphid populations down by snacking on them. It’s really when their numbers grow or when they move from the flowerbed to your living room that earwigs become a problem. Inside the home, earwigs are less likely to find their favorite decaying snacks, so they aren’t typically targeting your pantry. They might nibble on starchy foods, greasy residues, or even paper and cardboard if they happen upon them, but primarily earwigs that wander indoors are looking for moisture, not food. Many times, an earwig that strays inside will eventually die if it doesn’t find a damp spot to sustain it. Still, you’ll want to keep food messes cleaned up and fix any water leaks to avoid giving even accidental intruders a reason to stay.
Are Earwigs Dangerous?
The good news is no, earwigs are not dangerous to humans. They may look like scary little monsters, but they do not have venom, and they won’t bite you. The worst an earwig can do is pinch with those rear-forceps, and that usually only happens if you pick one up or trap it against your skin. Even then, the pinch might startle you but it’s generally harmless and doesn’t break the skin. Earwigs also aren’t known to carry diseases or parasites that affect people or pets, so they pose no public health threat. In fact, an earwig’s intimidating pincers are mostly for show (to ward off predators or spar with other earwigs) and for helping position their mates or fold their wings. They won’t attack people, and they certainly have no interest in crawling into anyone’s ears, that age-old myth is just that, a myth!
That said, earwigs can be considered dangerous to your plants and sanity. While they won’t harm your family, a large population of earwigs can do noticeable damage in gardens and flower beds by chewing on foliage and fruits. This can be “dangerous” in the sense that prized plants or veggies might suffer cosmetic damage or stunted growth. Inside the home, the “danger” is really the ick factor, seeing these creepy-crawlies in your sink or on the floor can be unsettling, and where you spot one, there might be others hiding nearby. Earwigs tend to hide together in groups during the day, so if a few have entered, you might encounter several at once. The bottom line: earwigs don’t hurt people, but you’ll still want to keep them under control to protect your plants and preserve your peace of mind.
Fun Earwig Facts
Not actually ear-invaders: The name “earwig” comes from an old wives’ tale that these bugs burrow into people’s ears to lay eggs or nibble on brains. Rest assured, this legend has no basis in fact. Earwigs have no interest in crawling into human ears, they prefer soil over ear canals! The myth likely arose from their tendency to hide in dark crevices and from the Old English words ēare (ear) and wicga (insect). In truth, earwigs lay their eggs safely in the ground, not in our heads.
Equipped with wings: It surprises many people to learn that earwigs have wings. Most earwigs sport a pair of small membranous hindwings folded under short forewings. When unfolded, the wings are semi-circular and quite delicate (somewhat like a ladybug’s shape). However, earwigs are clumsy fliers at best. They rarely take to the air and typically only use their wings to glide short distances or to steady themselves when they fall. You’re very unlikely to see one flying, crawling is their preferred mode of travel.
A smelly defense: Earwigs can produce a foul odor when threatened. They have scent glands that secrete a yellow-brown liquid with a nasty smell. This chemical defense is used to deter predators (much like a skunk’s spray, on a tiny insect scale). If you’ve ever crushed an earwig or scared one and noticed a bad smell, that’s the earwig’s natural perfume.
Caring mothers: Unlike most insects, earwig moms take care of their young. Female earwigs are surprisingly attentive parents. They dig out an underground nest chamber and lay a clutch of eggs (anywhere from 30 up to 300 eggs, depending on the species). The mother will guard her eggs, keeping them clean from fungi and defending them from other insects. After the eggs hatch into tiny nymphs, she continues to watch over her brood and even feeds the babies for a short time. This level of maternal care is quite rare in the insect world only a small percentage of insect species exhibit any parenting at all. Earwig mothers prove that even creepy-crawlies can have a softer side!
What You Can Do to Help Stop Earwigs in Your Home and Yard
While you might not eliminate every earwig on your property, some smart preventative steps can drastically reduce their numbers and keep them out of your living spaces. If you’ve been searching for how to get rid of earwigs in Provo, Orem, Heber, or elsewhere in Utah, the tips below are a great starting point:
Clear out earwig hiding places. Earwigs love to lurk in damp clutter, so tidying up your yard and around your foundation can make a big difference. Rake up leaf piles, remove any built-up grass clippings, and try not to let wet newspapers or cardboard sit outside. Keep firewood, lumber, and compost piles away from your house, or at least off the ground. Thick groundcover plants or heavy layers of mulch right against the foundation also provide shelter for earwigs, so consider thinning those out. Ideally, create a dry, vegetation-free strip (using gravel or stone) 6-12 inches wide along the base of your house. This makes a less hospitable buffer zone that earwigs are reluctant to cross.
Remove excess moisture. Moisture is the magnet that draws earwigs. To make your yard less inviting, fix any leaky outdoor faucets, sprinklers, or hoses promptly. Ensure your gutters are clean and downspouts direct water away from the foundation so you don’t have constantly damp soil by your walls. It also helps to avoid overwatering your lawn and garden; use irrigation timers or drip lines to provide just enough water without waterlogging the area. Inside your home, reduce humidity by using ventilators or dehumidifiers in damp areas (like basements or bathrooms). A drier environment means fewer places where earwigs will want to hang out.
Seal entry points. Perform a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior and plug up the gaps where pests might slip in. Caulk cracks in the foundation and gaps around pipes or wires that enter the house. Check that door sweeps and weather stripping are intact under exterior doors as even a small gap is an open invitation to earwigs and other bugs. Repair or replace any torn window screens. By blocking these common entry points, you’ll help keep earwigs (and a lot of other pests) outside where they belong.
Be smart about lighting. Like many insects, earwigs can be drawn toward light. You might notice them congregating on your patio or around porch lights on summer nights. To reduce this attraction, switch your outdoor bulbs to yellow “bug lights,” which are less attractive to insects, or use motion-sensor lights that only come on when needed. Turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night can also help. By minimizing the bright beacons that lure earwigs to your house, you can keep more of them away from your doors and windows.
These preventive measures will definitely help cut down on the number of unwelcome earwigs scuttling around. However, even with diligent yard work and home sealing, it’s tough to catch every earwig habitat especially when neighboring properties or natural areas might be harboring them. If you’re still seeing those pincered pests around, or you simply want a more thorough, long-term solution, it might be time to call in the pros. That’s where Lawn Doctor comes in with our Yard Armour pest control program, designed specifically for effective earwig control and overall perimeter pest protection for your home.
Professional Earwig Control in Utah with Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour
Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour pest control program is our answer to persistent earwig problems, it’s like having a dedicated earwig exterminator in Salem, Santaquin, Midway, or whichever Utah community you call home, one that knows the habits of local earwigs and how to keep them out of your house. Our approach focuses on creating a protective barrier around your property and targeting the spots where earwigs like to lurk.
How Yard Armour works: Our trained technicians begin by inspecting your property and identifying likely earwig “hot spots.” We know earwigs tend to hide in and around thick mulch beds, ground cover vegetation, window wells, foundation cracks, and other damp, shadowy nooks near your home. Once we know where to concentrate, we treat the exterior of your home and the surrounding landscape using professional-grade products that are proven to control earwigs and other pests. We apply these treatments to the foundation perimeter and all those key hiding areas, basically creating a ring of protection. This targeted approach knocks down existing earwig populations and leaves a residual barrier that continues to repel and kill earwigs before they can reach your door. Yard Armour goes after the source of the problem outdoors, rather than just the individual bugs that wander inside, so you get more lasting relief.
Season-long protection: Earwig activity in Utah tends to peak from late spring through early fall, which is why Yard Armour isn’t a one-and-done single spray. Instead, we provide seasonally timed treatments (about six service visits per year) spaced throughout the warmer months. Each visit reinforces that protective shield around your home, so as new earwig broods hatch or more insects migrate in, they’ll hit a wall of protection. The program is ongoing during earwig season to ensure you stay consistently covered. And if the earwigs (or any of the other covered pests) show up in force between scheduled treatments, just give us a call and we’ll come back to re-treat at no extra charge. We stand by our service and want you to have total peace of mind that your earwig issue is under control all season long.
Family-friendly and convenient: Another big benefit of Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour program is that it’s designed to be hassle-free and safe for your household. All our applications are done outside your home by design, so you don’t need to worry about indoor spraying or rearranging your schedule to meet the technician. We focus treatments where the pests are, around your home’s exterior and yard, which is usually enough to keep earwigs and other crawling insects from getting inside. The products we use are professional-grade and targeted for pests like earwigs, but rest assured they are also family-and-pet friendly once dry. Our technicians are careful to treat only the necessary areas and to follow all safety guidelines. You’ll be able to enjoy a pest-protected home without any inconvenience or exposure to harsh chemicals indoors.
Lawn Doctor proudly provides earwig control and perimeter pest services throughout Utah County and the Heber Valley, covering local communities such as Provo, Orem, Heber City, Spanish Fork, Springville, Payson, Santaquin, Mapleton, Midway, Salem, and surrounding areas. We’re a locally owned and operated team, so we understand the specific pest challenges that Utah homes face and the seasonal cycles of earwigs in our region. Our knowledge of the local climate and pest behavior means we can tailor our Yard Armour treatments for maximum effectiveness against earwigs and other common invaders.
Ready to kick earwigs out of your home and yard for good and reclaim your peace of mind? Take the next step toward a pest-free property by reaching out to Lawn Doctor for a free, no-obligation quote on our Yard Armour earwig control program. We’re happy to answer your questions and get you scheduled for service. Contact us today or give us a call at (385) 463-2430, and let us help you reclaim your home from those pincered pests!
