Earwigs in Valley homes
Earwigs look alarming with the pincers at the tail end, but they're mostly a nuisance pest drawn to damp mulch, overwatered planters and anything left undisturbed and moist, like a rolled patio cushion. They feed on soft plant material at night, which is why flower petals show ragged holes by morning.
EarwigsHow to tell it's this one
- Reddish brown, about half an inch to three quarters of an inch, with a pair of pincers at the tail end
- Found in tight clusters in damp mulch, under pots or inside rolled up patio furniture cushions
- Ragged, irregular holes chewed into soft leaves and flower petals
- Most active at night, hiding in tight damp cracks during the day
- The pincers look alarming but earwigs rarely pinch hard enough to break skin
Where it hides in Valley homes
- Damp mulch beds
- Under potted plants and saucers
- Inside rolled patio cushions and umbrellas
- Cracks between patio pavers
- Gutters holding wet debris
When it shows up
From our own route records, month by month.
What to do right now
- 1Cut back on overwatering flower beds close to the house, earwigs need damp conditions
- 2Clear damp mulch and dead leaves away from the foundation
- 3Shake out cushions and rolled umbrellas before using them
- 4Clean out gutters holding wet debris
How Facility handles earwigs
We treat mulch beds and the foundation perimeter to label and point out the overwatering or drainage issues that are keeping conditions damp enough for earwigs to thrive. Because they're tied so closely to moisture, cutting back irrigation near the house often matters as much as the treatment itself. This is covered under general pest service.
Earwigs questions
Are earwigs dangerous to people?
No, the pincers look intimidating but earwigs very rarely pinch hard enough to break skin, and they're not venomous or disease carrying. They're considered a nuisance pest, mostly a problem for garden plants rather than people or pets.
Why do I have so many earwigs in my planters?
Earwigs need damp conditions to thrive, and overwatered planters with dense, moist soil are close to ideal for them. They cluster together in tight, humid spots during the day and come out at night to feed, so a planter that stays consistently wet can build a noticeable population fast.
What's eating holes in my flower petals overnight?
Earwigs feed at night on soft plant material and leave ragged, irregular holes in leaves and flower petals that are easy to blame on caterpillars or slugs instead. Checking the planter after dark with a flashlight is usually the fastest way to confirm earwigs are the actual cause.
Do earwigs get inside the house?
They can, usually wandering in through gaps under doors or around damp areas like laundry rooms and bathrooms rather than actively infesting living spaces. Indoor sightings are typically a few stragglers rather than a true indoor population, and reducing outdoor moisture near the foundation cuts down on them significantly.
How do I get rid of earwigs in mulch?
Cutting back on watering near the foundation and clearing damp, decaying mulch or leaf litter removes the conditions earwigs need most. Perimeter treatment to label handles the population that's already established while the moisture changes keep new earwigs from building back up in the same spot.
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