Earwigs (Order Dermaptera)
Appearance
Earwigs are dark brown in colour, about 10 to 14mm long, with forceps-like clippers extending from the backside. They have a slender, flattened body, and bead-like antennae.
Habits
Do Earwigs Really Go in Your Ears?
The name “earwig” comes from the Old English ēare wicga meaning “ear insect” — a reference to the ancient belief that earwigs crawl into human ears while people sleep to lay eggs in the brain. This is a myth. Earwigs have no interest in human ears and there is no biological reason for them to seek out ear canals. They are nocturnal and seek dark, damp crevices for shelter — under bark, stones, and garden debris — but not sleeping humans.
That said, any small insect finding its way into a bed could theoretically end up in an ear canal, and there are rare recorded cases of earwigs and other insects being found in ears. This is incidental rather than deliberate behaviour and is not specific to earwigs. If you find an insect in your ear, seek medical attention rather than attempting to remove it yourself.
Threats
Why Are Earwigs Coming Into My Home?
Earwigs are primarily outdoor insects but enter buildings in search of moisture, warmth, or when outdoor conditions become unfavourable — particularly during hot, dry spells in summer when their preferred damp outdoor habitats dry out, or in autumn when temperatures drop. Common entry points include:
- Gaps under doors, particularly back doors near garden areas
- Through ventilation bricks and air vents at ground level
- On plants and cut flowers brought indoors
- In cardboard boxes and bags stored in garages or sheds
Once inside, earwigs typically head for the dampest, darkest areas — under kitchen units, in bathroom corners, or behind appliances. Finding large numbers indoors often suggests a nearby outdoor population in garden debris, compost, or damp soil against the building.
Prevention
Treatment may involve removing debris, mulch and other objects from your yard as well as a thorough investigation and treatment of cracks in your home’s exterior.
You can use an appropriate insecticide powder at the base of walls near doors and windows. Applying dust to humid corners where earwigs gather will help reduce the problem. A garden insecticide can be applied outdoors and on vegetation.
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