Earwigs
Dermaptera
Chewing Insects Low Risk 12-20 mm
📖 Description
Despite their fearsome appearance, earwigs are primarily beneficial insects that feed on decaying organic matter, fungi, and other small insects. However, in large numbers, they can become plant pests, especially of tender seedlings, flowers, and soft fruits. They are nocturnal feeders, hiding in dark, moist places during the day. Their damage is often blamed on other pests since earwigs are rarely seen feeding. The pincers are used for defense and mating, not for harming humans.
⚠️ Symptoms to watch for
- Irregular holes in leaves and flower petals,Chewed seedling stems near soil level,Damage concentrated at night,Holed or notched leaf edges,Flowers with ragged, chewed petals
🩹 Treatment
- Set out rolled newspaper traps and dispose in morning (organic),Place oil-soaked rolled newspaper or corrugated cardboard traps (organic),Apply diatomaceous earth around plant bases (organic),Spray with insecticidal soap at night when active (organic),Use permethrin-based spray (chemical)
🌿 Organic treatments
- Set out rolled newspaper traps and dispose in morning,Place oil-soaked rolled newspaper or corrugated cardboard traps,Apply diatomaceous earth around plant bases,Spray with insecticidal soap at night when active
🧪 Chemical treatments
- Use permethrin-based spray
🛡️ Prevention
- Remove garden debris, boards, and stones where they hide,Keep mulch away from plant stems,Cultivate soil to expose eggs and nymphs,Reduce outdoor lighting which attracts them,Seal cracks and gaps in foundations
🪴 Affected plants
- Seedlings,Dahlias,Zinnias,Lettuce,Strawberries,Herbs,Marigolds
🦋 Natural predators
- Birds,Spiders,Frogs
🌱 Host plants
- Various garden plants,Fruit trees,Vegetables
🔄 Lifecycle
- Earwigs overwinter as adults in soil or protected spaces.
- In spring, females lay 30-50 eggs in underground nests and carefully tend them.
- Nymphs hatch in about 7 days and remain with the mother through their first instar.
- Nymphs develop through 4-6 instars over 2-3 months.
- Adults live about one year.
- One generation per year in most climates.
📅 Season
- Spring to Fall
🔎 Appearance
- Elongated, flattened insects with distinctive pincer-like appendages (cerci) at the tail end.
- Reddish-brown to dark brown.
- The pincers look threatening but are mostly harmless to humans.
💥 Damage level
- Low
🔁 Reproduction rate
- Moderate
🗺️ Geographic regions
- North America
- Europe
- Asia
- Australia
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