Earwigs

They are easy to recognize:

Body Shape: They have elongated, flattened bodies with segmented abdomens.

Size: Depending on the species, it typically ranges from 7 to 25 millimeters long.

Color: Most are dark brown or black. Some species may be reddish-brown or even pale yellow.

Head: Their heads are elongated, and they have a pair of pincers at the tip of their abdomen.

Antennae: Have long, thread-like antennae that are segmented and often visibly curved.

Wings: Some adult species have wings, and those that do have them cannot fly.

Legs: They have six legs. Each ends in a claw-like structure, which they use for crawling and climbing.

May enter your house for several reasons:

Seeking Shelter: They are nocturnal insects that prefer dark, moist environments. They may enter your house seeking shelter, especially during hot or dry weather, or to escape extreme temperatures.

Moisture: If there are moisture issues such as leaky pipes, damp crawlspace or high humidity areas.

Food Sources: They are scavengers and feed on various items such as plant material, insects, and decaying matter. If there are food sources available inside your house, such as crumbs, spills, or organic debris, it may also attract them.

Entry Points: They can enter your house through small cracks, gaps, or openings around doors, windows, vents, and utility lines.

In dark and damp environments, they are usually present. While the presence alone doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem, it can sometimes indicate an underlying issue:

Moisture Problems: Earwigs are attracted to moisture. Their presence may indicate issues such as leaks, poor ventilation, or high humidity levels.

Outdoor Habitat: They may gravitate towards areas with dense vegetation or mulch in gardens and landscaping

Structural Issues: They enter through cracks, gaps, or openings in foundations, walls, or around doors and windows.

Poor Sanitation: They are drawn to places like leaf litter, compost piles, or decaying plant material.

Earwigs do possess wings, but not all species are capable of flight. Compared to insects like flies and bees, they are not strong or proficient flyers. They prefer to crawl and are more commonly found on the ground.

Yes, earwigs have pincers at the end of their abdomen called "cerci" which they use for defense and capturing prey. It is rare for them to bite humans, but if they are handled roughly, they will pinch.

The name "earwig" is derived from an old European superstition. These insects would crawl into the ears of sleeping people and bore into their brains. However, this belief is entirely unfounded, as earwigs do not seek out human ears as habitats or for any other purpose.