Earwig Facts

If you have had an infestation or seen your fair share of earwigs around the yard, you might not know much about these critters beyond their appearance.
Here are some earwig facts:
They won’t go near your ears
While their name may suggest otherwise, earwigs will not attempt to enter your ears and feed on your brain. This myth about earwigs’ and is far from the truth. Though they do prefer dark and moist areas, but ears are not high on their list of habitable places.
They’ll fiercely protect their young
Just when you thought you were a loyal and protective person, earwigs have taken those traits to the next level. An earwig can lay dozens of eggs at a time and the mother will devote her time to protecting the eggs. In fact, she’ll stay with them until they hatch — up until their first molt. After that, the nymphs are free to roam on their own.
They don’t use their wings
Equipped with wings and capable of flight however, they often don’t take advantage of the wings in their backs, earwigs use other methods of getting around. They might fly from time to time, but it is usually  a rare sight.
There are a variety of earwig species
There are over 1,000 species of earwigs around the world, and a little over 20 types in the United States. The earwigs you most often see around New England is the European earwigs, some of the most popular in the country. They are a common pest for many homeowners and adventurers.
They’re omnivores
Thanks to a set of pincers or forceps, earwigs often capture hearty meals consisting of both plants and other insects. From composting leaves to garden plants to arthropods, earwigs vie for a variety of snacks. Don’t let them intimidate you — they’ll cause no harm to humans.