European Earwig
Forficula auricularia 
SIZE: 5/8 inch (16 mm)

COLOR: Dark reddish brown body, tan to pale yellow legs.

DESCRIPTION: Earwigs are one of the most disliked insects to invade our homes.  Earwigs are readily recognized by the pinchers or forcep-like appendages at the end of their abdomen. The European earwig is considered to be an occasional invader in the Toronto area. These insects may enter houses in great numbers usually in late summer, although some seasons go by with almost no activity at all. 

HABITAT: Earwigs are generally active at night, during the day they often find shelter under stones, in crevices of wood, and in organic debris such as leaves.  Earwigs are primarily scavengers of dead vegetation and organic material, they will occasionally feed on living plants.

LIFE CYCLE: In early spring, after overwintering in soil, the female earwig lays up to 60 eggs in the top section of soil. In about seven days, the eggs hatch and nymphs emerge. The female tends to the eggs and nymphs for the first two weeks. The nymphs are similar to adults, only smaller. Over a 70 day period, the nymphs pass through four growth stages before becoming an adult. Egg laying can take place twice per year (spring and summer). In Toronto and the GTA adult earwigs will be most noticeable in July, August and September. Earwigs live for approximately one year, but most often the males die during the winter months.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Earwigs cause no risk to humans, despite what their name suggests they do not seek out our ears and the pinchers at the rear of their abdomen are harmless. Generally speaking the greatest damage caused by earwigs is to our flowerbeds. Most people find the presence of earwigs to be disturbing and are occasionally mistaken for cockroaches.

CONTROL: M.D. Pest Control can provide an exterior residual pesticide application to exterminate your earwig infestation. This treatment is performed when the population of earwigs is exceeding the tolerance of the homeowner. In most cases no interior treatment is required, however upon request M.D. Pest Control will treat indoors, ask your exterminator what’s right for you.