Earwigs

Live Earwig-Free with Pointe!

Pointe Pest Control is committed to keeping your home pest-free in every season. Our team of experienced and state-certified technicians are dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services for the Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri areas. If a pest problem is not completely resolved after a visit, our technicians will return until it is eliminated.

FREE PEST CONTROL QUOTE

An Independent Pest

Named after a myth that has given plenty of people insect-themed nightmares, earwigs are quite the strange pest. They are individualistic and can be found scurrying around by themselves, but they live in places that are often visited by other pests. Some species prey on smaller insects, while others stick with vegetation as their food source. No matter their preferences, earwigs are not an enjoyable pest to have inside the house, though they seek out shelter when the weather turns bad.

These nocturnal insects have two large pincers – the feature behind their nickname “pincher bugs” – and have bodies that can be up to an inch long. Males have larger, curved pincers compared to the straight pincers of females. Though they like to stay in the dark, earwigs will scurry towards any light that illuminates the warm nights where they are most active. They will also run away when the leaf litter they are hiding inside is disturbed. Where there is water, there will likely be earwigs aplenty. If you find that your home or business is being overrun by earwigs, contact Pointe Pest Control!

Hunting in the Dark

Earwigs are scavengers and will leave their hidden habitats in search of their favorite meals. Besides the time where earwig mothers feed their young, these insects only gather food for themselves. They favor decaying plant components, composting leaves, and seedlings. For the omnivorous species, their sizable pincers aid in hunting and seizing their prey. But most of the 22 U.S. earwig species are herbivores, and can be found among the decaying plants that they feast upon.

After mating in the cooler seasons, earwigs lay their eggs during the warm spring days. The female earwig lays anywhere from twenty to sixty eggs in a dark crevice, and cares for them until they hatch about a week later. The nymphs look like tiny earwigs, and molt several times until they reach their larger winged state. Their final shells are the toughest of all the formed casings, which allows the adults to overwinter and begin the life cycle again next year. No matter what life stage the earwigs are in, our team is here to keep you earwig-free.

Easygoing Earwigs

While the specific preferences vary with the species, earwigs generally like to remain in damp, dark places as much as possible. They are most active at nighttime and are typically only found when they naturally go towards the light as they forage. But during the day, earwigs stay hidden underneath damp mulch, rocks, leaf litter, and wet soil. They will only emerge if they need food or if their habitat is compromised.

Earwigs fall in with the nocturnal side of the animal kingdom in their nightly search for food. They will emerge from their hiding spots to munch on the organic material nearby, as well as find a different moist environment that is likely well-lit at this time of night. When the sun goes down, earwigs often emerge from their hiding spots amidst furniture and heavier objects on the porch or in the garage, basement, and bathroom. Many homeowners find earwigs crawling in the carpeted hallway or on tiled floors while they are en route to their next destination. Although their pincers look painful, earwigs typically will not pinch humans unless they are thoroughly provoked. Earwigs may try to use their speed to flee, but they are no match for Pointe Pest Control and our experienced technicians.

Get Rid of Earwigs Today!

Primary Inspection

We will start by inspecting the area for live earwigs and their entry points.

Treating Earwigs

Next, we apply our effective treatments to the house’s exterior and foundation.

Earwig-Free Guarantee

We complete a minimum of 3 passes around the house to prevent all pests.

Get a Quote

Signs of the Earwigs

Unless you spot a live earwig scurrying across your floors, it can be difficult to discern when your pest problem is earwigs, specifically. It is extremely rare to have a full earwig infestation inside the home, but these are some of the most common signs of an earwig’s presence:

Dead earwigs
Houseplants with signs of insect feedings
Dark-spotted fruits or vegetables that sit out on the counter
A dark yellow liquid in random spots (secreted when the earwig is disturbed)
Any live earwigs, including nymphs

If you see one or more of these signs, you likely have an earwig situation. Besides the risk of receiving a small red mark from being pinched, earwigs do not have the typical risk factors of injecting venom or transmitting diseases to people. But their creep factor paired with their potential to ruin live plants is reason enough to receive pest control from Pointe Pest Control and stop earwigs in their tracks.

The Myth of the Pest

Plenty of people are afraid of earwigs, not because of their creepy attributes, but because of the myth that gave them their name in the first place. This concept has been passed down for generations, and actually is thought to have origins in ancient times. The myth says that earwigs like to enter the ear of a sleeping person and crawl deep into the ear canal, where they will lay eggs and potentially eat the brain. Thankfully, this nightmarish scenario is not common at all.

If an earwig did crawl into someone’s ear, it is only because it took a wrong turn on its way to food or a new shelter. Any cases of earwigs crawling into ears usually just end with the insect being extracted and no lasting symptoms. In fact, this myth is even less likely to become true when considering the personality of an earwig. They want nothing to do with any creature larger than them, which is why they start running as soon as a person or pet approaches. Tonight, take comfort in the fact that earwigs would never willingly get close enough to us to go into our ears, especially as an egg-laying site.

Pointe Pest Eliminates Earwigs

The most important step in preventing earwigs is to remove excess moisture from the home. Check for leaks on a regular basis, and repair any found leaks as soon as possible. Whether you are looking to further prevent earwigs, or want to rid your space of existing ones, Pointe Pest Control is the solution for you! Our technicians are kept up-to-date on the most effective ways to solve earwig issues, and use their extensive knowledge to provide treatments tailored to each specific problem and property layout.

The common methods we use to treat earwigs are barrier treatments and exclusion work. After thoroughly inspecting the property for earwigs and their entry points, our technicians will add dust and treatments into cracks and crevices. We apply our trusty treatments directly to the exterior of the home, as well as the soil around the foundation, to block out and eliminate any invading earwigs. Our team targets the areas most frequently visited by earwigs, but also treats the general area to block earwigs from finding another entry point. Speaking of, exclusion work is the focus of our earwig services. Our technicians will seal any small cracks or holes in the house, and will point any larger gaps out to you. As with all of our visits, we complete a minimum of three passes around the property to ensure that we treat every hotspot.

Earwigs like the light seeping out of a house and want to use our homes as shelter from adverse weather, but they will not achieve this invasive goal when Pointe Pest Control is on the scene. Call today for a free quote on the most reliable pest control services in surrounding St. Louis, MO and Swansea, IL areas!

Excellent Job

Pointe does an excellent job. They have gotten rid of all my ants, and other crawly things, and today they sprayed for earwigs.

Barry Pitler

West Chicago

Free Pest Control Quote

Contact Us Form

Contact Pointe Pest Control Form

"*" indicates required fields

Facebook

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Street Address*

Untitled

City*

State*

Zip Code*

Frequently Asked Questions About Earwigs

Why are earwigs entering my home?

Earwigs typically enter homes to escape unfavorable weather conditions such as heavy rain, heat, or cold. They are drawn to indoor environments that provide shelter and moisture.

They often enter through small cracks, gaps, or openings around doors, windows, and foundations.

Professional inspection helps identify these entry points so they can be treated and sealed properly.

Are earwigs dangerous to people or pets?

Earwigs are not known to transmit diseases or inject venom. While they have pincers, they rarely pinch unless thoroughly provoked.

Most encounters happen accidentally when earwigs wander indoors at night.

Although the risk is low, their presence indoors is unpleasant and should be addressed promptly.

What attracts earwigs to properties?

Earwigs are attracted to damp, dark environments with access to organic material. Moist soil, leaf litter, mulch, and decaying plants create ideal conditions.

Excess moisture around foundations or landscaping increases the likelihood of earwig activity.

Reducing moisture and treating the exterior helps limit attraction and movement indoors.

Where do earwigs hide during the day?

During daylight hours, earwigs hide in dark, damp areas such as under mulch, rocks, leaf litter, and wet soil.

Around homes, they may hide beneath porch furniture, in garages, basements, or bathrooms.

Because they stay hidden most of the day, infestations are often noticed only at night.

Why are earwigs more active at night?

Earwigs are nocturnal insects and prefer to forage after dark when conditions are cooler and more humid.

They are often drawn toward light sources while searching for food and new shelter.

This nighttime activity is why many homeowners discover earwigs crawling indoors after sunset.

What are common signs of an earwig problem?

Common signs include seeing live or dead earwigs indoors, damage to houseplants, and dark-spotted fruits or vegetables.

Some homeowners may also notice a dark yellow liquid left behind when earwigs are disturbed.

Seeing multiple signs usually indicates the need for professional pest control services.

Do earwigs reproduce indoors?

Earwigs typically reproduce outdoors in soil or dark crevices rather than inside homes.

However, adults may wander indoors while searching for shelter or food.

Professional treatments focus on preventing indoor access and controlling outdoor populations.

Can earwigs damage plants and landscaping?

Yes, earwigs feed on decaying plant matter and seedlings, and they may damage fruits, vegetables, and houseplants.

Outdoor populations can impact gardens if left untreated.

Targeted treatments help reduce earwig numbers while protecting plants around the home.

Why is moisture control important for earwig prevention?

Moisture creates ideal hiding and breeding conditions for earwigs. Leaks, damp soil, and poor drainage increase activity near structures.

Reducing excess moisture makes the environment less favorable for earwigs.

Moisture control works alongside professional treatments for long-term prevention.

How does Pointe Pest Control treat earwig problems?

Services begin with a thorough inspection to locate live earwigs and identify entry points.

Treatments are applied to the exterior, foundation, and soil to block and eliminate invading earwigs.

Cracks and crevices are treated to prevent further access into the home.

Why are exterior treatments important for earwig control?

Earwigs primarily live outdoors and move indoors accidentally. Exterior treatments stop them before they enter.

Barrier treatments around the foundation reduce migration toward the home.

This approach addresses the source of the problem rather than just indoor sightings.

What role does exclusion play in earwig control?

Exclusion focuses on sealing small cracks, gaps, and openings that earwigs use to enter structures.

Technicians identify problem areas during inspection and treat them accordingly.

Preventing access is key to reducing repeat earwig activity indoors.

How many treatment passes are performed?

A minimum of three passes around the property are completed during service.

This ensures that all high-activity areas and potential entry points are addressed.

Multiple passes improve coverage and effectiveness of treatments.

Will Pointe Pest Control return if earwigs persist?

If the problem is not completely resolved, technicians will return to address remaining activity.

This commitment ensures continued protection and customer satisfaction.

Follow-up support is part of Pointe’s service approach.

How can homeowners help prevent future earwig problems?

Homeowners can help by fixing leaks, reducing moisture, and keeping mulch and debris away from foundations.

Regular maintenance makes the environment less attractive to earwigs.

Professional services provide the added protection needed for long-term control.

Earwigs

Earwigs

Live Earwig-Free with Pointe!

FREE PEST CONTROL QUOTE

An Independent Pest

Hunting in the Dark

Easygoing Earwigs

Get Rid of Earwigs Today!

Primary Inspection

Treating Earwigs

Earwig-Free Guarantee

Signs of the Earwigs

The Myth of the Pest

Pointe Pest Eliminates Earwigs

Excellent Job

Free Pest Control Quote

Contact Us Form

Frequently Asked Questions About Earwigs

Why are earwigs entering my home?

Are earwigs dangerous to people or pets?

What attracts earwigs to properties?

Where do earwigs hide during the day?

Why are earwigs more active at night?

What are common signs of an earwig problem?

Do earwigs reproduce indoors?

Can earwigs damage plants and landscaping?

Why is moisture control important for earwig prevention?

How does Pointe Pest Control treat earwig problems?

Why are exterior treatments important for earwig control?

What role does exclusion play in earwig control?

How many treatment passes are performed?

Will Pointe Pest Control return if earwigs persist?

How can homeowners help prevent future earwig problems?

services

customer care

Email Us

Get Directions

services

customer care

Email Us

Get Directions