Earwigs
Forficula auricularia
How do you get rid of earwigs in a Southern California home?
Earwigs are moisture-driven, so the fastest fix is drying out their habitat: repair leaky faucets and pipes, clean gutters so drainage runs away from the house, pull mulch and ground cover 6 to 12 inches off the foundation, and seal cracks where they slip inside. They are harmless and won't crawl into your ears, but if they keep migrating indoors, a licensed technician can treat the perimeter and the damp hot spots where they breed.
What are Earwigs?
Contrary to old myths, earwigs do not crawl into people's ears. They are actually beneficial in gardens as they eat other pests, but they become a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers during dry spells or after heavy rain.
Key Takeaways
- Earwigs are reddish-brown, flattened insects about 5/8 inch long with distinctive pincers (forceps) at the rear that look menacing but are essentially harmless to people.
- Despite the old myth, earwigs do not crawl into people's ears, and in the garden they are actually beneficial because they feed on other pests.
- In Southern California they are moisture-driven invaders that hide under mulch, rocks, and lawn debris outdoors and gather in damp basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms inside.
- They tend to push indoors in large numbers during dry spells or right after heavy rain, when conditions outside become too dry or too wet for them.
- The core of control is drying out their habitat — fixing leaks, improving drainage, and pulling mulch off the foundation — rather than just spraying the ones you see.
Identification & Signs
- Elongated, flattened reddish-brown bodies
- Distinctive "pincers" (forceps) at the end of the abdomen
- Six legs and long antennae
- Usually around 5/8 inch in length
Why are they a problem?
Earwigs are highly dependent on moisture. They are drawn to damp basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Outdoors, they hide under mulch, rocks, and lawn debris.
Prevention and Home Tips
Clean out gutters and ensure proper drainage away from the home
Keep mulch and ground cover 6-12 inches away from the foundation
Fix any leaky faucets or pipes indoors
Seal cracks and gaps in the foundation
How Xtermicon Treats for Earwigs
We treat the perimeter of your home and the specific "hot spots" where moisture accumulates. By reducing the local population in your landscaping, we stop them from migrating into your living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are earwigs dangerous — do they bite or crawl into your ears?
No. The name comes from an old myth, and earwigs do not crawl into people's ears or burrow into the brain. Their rear pincers look intimidating, but they are not venomous and pose no real threat — at most a startled earwig may give a harmless pinch if handled, which rarely breaks skin. They carry no disease and don't damage your home's structure. They are simply a nuisance when they wander indoors in large numbers.
Why are earwigs suddenly getting into my house?
Earwigs are highly dependent on moisture, so they move indoors when outdoor conditions swing to an extreme. During a dry spell they migrate inside seeking humidity, and after heavy rain they get flooded out of their hiding spots and push toward the house. Once in, they settle into the dampest rooms — basements, bathrooms, and laundry areas. Damp mulch, leaf litter, and ground cover pressed against the foundation give them a staging area right next to your walls.
Can I get rid of earwigs myself, or should I call a professional?
Many earwig problems improve with moisture control you can do yourself: fix leaky faucets and pipes, clean gutters, improve drainage away from the home, keep mulch 6 to 12 inches off the foundation, and seal foundation cracks. If they keep migrating inside despite this, a licensed technician can treat the perimeter and the specific moisture hot spots where they breed, knocking down the local population in your landscaping. Because they re-invade from surrounding soil, recurring service is often what keeps them out long-term.
Specialists you
can count on.
Xtermicon was founded in 2015 with one focus: protect Southern California homes and businesses from the pests that threaten them. The name says it all — eXterminate TERmites & pest CONtrol — and that's exactly what we do. We're a family-owned team specializing in termite control, pest control, and rodent exclusion. From West LA and East LA to the beach cities and Orange County, we're local neighbors who treat your property like our own.