Earwigs in the San Gabriel Valley
Those pincer-tailed bugs in the bathroom are earwigs — and despite the myth, they're not interested in your ears. Here's the real story.
- Long dark body with pincers at the rear
- About 1/2 to 1 inch
- Love damp, dark spots
- Active at night
- Harmless to people; the ear myth is false
What they look like
Earwigs are easy to recognize: a long, flattened, reddish-brown to dark body about 1/2 to 1 inch long, ending in a pair of curved pincers (called cerci). Males have curved pincers; females' are straighter. They have wings but rarely fly.
Despite the name and the old folklore, earwigs do not crawl into ears or burrow into brains — that myth is false. They use those pincers mainly to defend themselves and to handle prey.
Earwig fast facts
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Looks like | Flat dark body with rear pincers |
| Size | About 1/2 to 1 inch |
| Where found | Damp spots: baths, kitchens, mulch |
| Active when | Night; hides by day |
| Concern to people | Nuisance only — the ear myth is false |
Where they live
Earwigs are moisture-loving insects. Outdoors they hide by day under mulch, leaf litter, stones, planters and ground cover, coming out at night to feed on plants and other small insects. They're a common sight in well-watered SGV gardens.
They wander indoors when it's hot or dry outside, or after heavy watering or rain, and head straight for damp rooms — bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas and around sinks and tubs.
Signs of an earwig problem
The main sign is simply seeing them — usually at night, scurrying across a bathroom or kitchen floor, or curled up in a damp towel, drain area or potted plant. They move fast and seek cover the moment a light comes on.
In the garden, ragged holes chewed in leaves, flowers and seedlings can point to earwigs feeding after dark.
How earwigs are controlled
Earwigs are a moisture-and-harborage problem, so control is mostly about drying things out and closing them off: fixing leaks and damp spots, moving mulch and plant debris back from the foundation, and sealing gaps around doors, windows and pipes. Most indoor earwigs are strays you can simply remove.
A targeted exterior perimeter handles persistent numbers. For lighter situations our DIY-vs-pro guide can help you decide whether to call, and if the same damp-loving pattern is also bringing in silverfish, the fixes overlap. Want it looked at? Reach out for a free quote.
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Quick Answers
Quick Answers.
Do earwigs really crawl into your ears?
No — that's an old myth with no basis. Earwigs don't seek out ears or burrow into people; like many insects one could wander anywhere by chance, but they have no special interest in ears.
Why do I have earwigs in my bathroom?
Earwigs love moisture, so they head for the dampest rooms — bathrooms, kitchens and laundry areas — when they come indoors. Most are strays escaping heat, dryness or heavy watering outside.
Do earwig pincers hurt?
An earwig can give a tiny pinch if you pick one up, but the pincers are weak, rarely break skin, and aren't venomous. They're used mainly for defense and handling prey, not for attacking people.
How do I get rid of earwigs?
Target moisture and harborage: fix leaks and damp spots, pull mulch and plant debris back from the foundation, and seal gaps around doors and pipes. A targeted exterior perimeter handles persistent numbers.
Are earwigs harmful to my home or garden?
They don't damage structures or pose a health hazard indoors, where they're just a nuisance. In the garden they can chew ragged holes in leaves, flowers and seedlings, which is usually the only real damage they cause.
Why do earwigs suddenly come inside?
A sudden push indoors usually follows a weather swing — a heat wave, a dry spell, or heavy watering or rain — that makes their outdoor hiding spots unlivable. They move toward the moisture and shelter your home offers.
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