What is a Pincher Bug? A breakdown of these “pests” and how to get rid of them
Pincher bugs get a bad rap. Are they a pest? Sort of, but it’s their intimidating appearance and the wild myth about them that has people so scared of them. After all, how many creatures do you know that have weaponized butts? No, your uncle’s gas problem doesn’t count.
In this guide, we’ll explain what pincher bugs are, what they do, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them in the first place.
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What Are Pincher Bugs?
Pincher bugs are small, fast-moving scavenger arthropods (not technically insects) that come out at night to eat dead insects and plants. It’s important to note that pincher bugs have many names. They’re also called earwigs, pinch bugs, ear wigglers, scissor bug, and Dermaptera.
What does a pincher bug look like?
They measure about 3/4-inch long, with slender bodies, six legs, and long antennae. They’re also reddish brown to dark brown in color, and though they can fly (they have two sets of wings), they rarely do, opting for ground travel in most cases.
On, and they have big pincers attached to their rear ends. They’re called cerci.
The male pincher bugs have long curved cerci while female earwigs have a pair of short, straight ones. The pincher bug uses this defense mechanism to fend off natural predators like frogs and spiders. There is also a belief that these grabbers are somehow used in reproduction.
They Live in Cold, Wet Spaces
Earwigs like cold, damp spaces. Outside, they’ll often congregate under stones, in a flower bed, and in decomposing wood during the day. In a home, they’re likely to hang out in the basement where cold, damp conditions allow them to thrive, and they may munch on potted plants if food sources are scarce.
There are earwig species on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. Oddly enough, the species we’re more familiar with in the US is actually the European earwig.
They’re Nocturnal
These insects are nocturnal, which means they only come out at night. But, they are attracted to bright lights during the night, so we often run into these pests in bathrooms in the middle of the night when nature calls. We interrupt their search for food but by daybreak, they’re typically gone and hiding again.
They’re Scavengers
Earwigs are scavengers so they primarily feed on decaying critters and plants instead of hunting for live dinner options like spiders. That said, they will eat other insects like aphids, as well as live plant life (they enjoy pollen). This makes them both beneficial and detrimental in a garden, as they may eat pests and other insect eggs but also eat living plants and flowers.
The same story applies indoors. Inside, earwigs may be off-putting and startling, but they eat many pests, including mites, silverfish and their eggs, and eggs of other insects. After they digest these bugs, they poop them out. Earwig poop looks like small black pellets, similar in color to spider poop but much more solid in texture.
They’re Active in Spring and Summer
Earwigs are most active during the late spring and early summer, though may be present until fall. Once the weather gets cold, they stay underground until the ground begins to warm again.
These insects mate in the fall, but don’t lay eggs until spring. The male and female spend the winter together underground, but once the ground begins to warm, she kicks him out and lays her eggs in batches of 30 to 50 eggs. The eggs hatch after just one week, and then nymphs spend spring and summer maturing, molting their shells around 5 times before adulthood, which occurs in the fall.
What are the Signs of Pinch Bugs?
On occasion, homeowners may notice some signs that there may be quite a few pincher bugs in the area.
They Emit a Foul Smell
When threatened or attacked, earwigs may release a yellowish liquid, and this liquid smells really bad. If you’ve startled a pinch bug in the middle of the night or crushed one, you might notice this foul-smelling liquid. This is different than stink bug poop, but it’s just as foul.
Nightly Sightings
Obviously, seeing a bug is a pretty rock-solid indication that there are insects around. However, seeing them every night is a bit much. If you’re running into these little guys often, it’s probably because your basement is too wet or there are plenty of decaying bug bodies and organic matter for them to eat. They may also just be hunting for small insects, as they can quickly switch from scavenger to hunter when necessary.
Dead Plants and Leaves
If you’re noticing a lot of dead garden plants and damaged leaves in your garden, it may be that there are pincher bugs doing some damage by munching on those plants. However, keep in mind that many bugs can be garden pests, so don’t just curse earwigs altogether.
Skin sheddings
Earwigs have to go through a process called metamorphosis to mature. As they grow, they shed their skin. If there are a lot of shed skins around, you might have more earwigs than you think.
Are Earwig Bugs Dangerous?
The truth is that, despite their bad reputation, earwigs are not dangerous. They rarely bite or pinch humans, and if they do, it doesn’t hurt. Also, they don’t carry or transfer diseases.
They Don’t Infest Homes
Earwigs don’t live in colonies. You may find them congregating with other pincher bugs under logs or rocks, but that’s just because that’s where these very common critters like to hang out during the day. Because they don’t live in colonies, an earwig infestation is extremely rare. Instead, they choose to lay their eggs outside in most cases.
Do Earwigs Climb Inside Ears?
Despite the popularity of this old European myth, earwigs do not crawl into human ears. This is an old myth that has painted an unfair picture of these borderline-beneficial insects.
They’re Actually Beneficial
Pincher bugs are something of nature’s janitor and pest control technician wrapped in one. They clean up decaying organic material from plants and leaves, but they also eat other pests like aphids and silverfish (both of which can run rampant at all times of the year if left unchecked, even winter). When that food runs out, however, they’ll turn their attention toward outdoor and indoor plants and do a lot of damage quickly.
Note: While pincher bugs can be a big help with controlling silverfish populations, our guide on getting rid of silverfish is better.
How To Get Rid of Pinch Bugs
If you want to get rid of these pinching bugs, we’ll explain how. The following are some of the most effective to kill these bugs if you’re so inclined.
Diatomaceous Earth
We’re pretty bullish on diatomaceous earth around here at RiddaBugs, and it can effectively kill pincher bugs. This naturally occurring powder consists of crystallized sea organisms whose bodies are sharp. When bugs like earwigs walk across this powder, the sea organisms scratch their bodies open, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Sprinkle a thin dusting of DE powder wherever stink bugs are commonly found. This can be basement floors, sills, and anywhere else you’re likely to see them. DE powder has the added benefit of being completely safe for people and pets, though the powder may cause some irritation.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is the main active ingredient found in Borax (which you can also use), and it’s very effective, allowing users to get rid of earwigs. Simply apply the boric acid powder anywhere earwigs might hang out or attempt to enter the home, such as cracks or around windows.
Keep in mind that boric acid is not safe for pets and children, so be careful when using it.
Oil Traps
Another method to get rid of earwigs includes using oil traps. Place 5 drops of fish oil into a shallow, small container, and then add vegetable oil. As the insect lands in the oil, it won’t be able to escape, causing it to die in the trap.
Pesticides
Pesticides can be an effective solution for earwigs. Active ingredients that will kill these bugs include bifenthrin, permethrin, resmethrin, or tetramethrin. Most often, gardeners apply these chemicals into their beds before pincher bugs are able to eat plants. But, we stress the proper use as they can easily kill other beneficial insects, as well, and not all pesticides belong in a garden.
Vinegar Spray
Vinegar is an excellent pest repellent to keep around the house. Mix vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio in a bottle. Users can spray this solution around their gardens or house. This approach does require reapplication after rains, but it can be effective at preventing pinch bugs.
Alcohol Spray
Mix rubbing alcohol and water together and pour it into a spray bottle. You can spray areas where earwigs have been seen traveling, or you can spray these fast little critters directly to get rid of them.
Soap and Water
Believe it or not, all it takes to stop a speedy little pincher bug is some dish soap and water. You can use it to kill earwigs individually, but soap and water can be an effective option for foundations too. But again, be sure to spray the foundation with soapy water often, especially after rain.
Light Traps
Light traps can be super effective to kill earwigs. These devices emit their own lights, and these lights attract earwigs. Once they investigate, a powerful little fan pulls the earwig down into the trap where it dehydrates and dies.
Sticky Traps
Another option is to set up a series of sticky traps to catch earwigs and the bugs they’re chasing. These traps are thick pieces of construction paper with sticky glue on one side. The glue is usually embedded with pheromones to attract bugs. Once they step on the trap they get stuck, dehydrate, and die. Carpet beetle traps are multi-species traps that can be very effective.
Vacuuming
Feel free to vacuum up any earwigs to avoid their foul odor emitting after a crunch. Just understand that these bugs move quickly and can escape a vacuum bag, so vacuum them up, quickly remove the bag, seal it, and throw it out.
Encouraging Earwig Predators
Despite having weapons on their butts, pincher bugs are nowhere near the top of the food chain. Instead, animals like birds and frogs are happy to snack on these bugs to keep the population under control. Encourage them to frequent the yard by installing a bird feeder or water feature, as well.
How To Prevent Pincher Bugs
We know they’re innocent, but some folks still would rather not share their home with these pests. The following are some methods that folks can try to prevent pincher bugs from getting in their houses.
Control Moisture Content in the Home
Earwigs love moist, damp areas. Take care of those damp places by installing a dehumidifier and raising the temperature of the house slightly. Also, fix any leaky pipes, leaky faucets, and clogged rain gutters that may exist. This can prevent earwigs from setting up shop in your basement.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Inspect the home for cracks and gaps. Check around the inside and outside of windows, the threshold under doors, and other similar places. If there are gaps that pests like sugar ants and stinkbugs can use as entry points, earwigs can too. Use silicone caulk to prevent bugs from sliding through and into the home.
Keep Yard and Garden Tidy
Clean, tidy gardens and yards are generally less suitable for pests. Short grass dries faster than longer grass, creating a less hospitable environment for moisture-loving earwigs. Also, keeping plants trimmed back from the house will help limit access.
Change Bulb Colors
Your bright white light bulbs inside and outside the house could be attracting earwigs at night. Rather than giving them a beacon to follow, switch the bulbs to yellow bug lights. They’re far less likely to attract bugs than bright white lights.
Create a Mulchless Barrier
Earwigs can survive quite well in mulch and may use to travel right up to your foundation walls. Rake about 4 inches of mulch back around the foundation and sprinkle some diatomaceous earth in this trench. If the earwig decides to try to cross the gap, they’ll walk over the DE and die eventually. Just keep in mind that if the DE powder gets wet, it won’t be as effective.
FAQs
Even with all of that information about pincher bugs, there may be some additional questions gnawing at you. The following includes some of the most frequently asked questions about earwigs and their removal.
Are pincher bugs harmful to humans?
No, pincher bugs aren’t harmful. Their bites and grasps don’t hurt, and they don’t carry diseases.
What happens if a pincher bug bites you?
Nothing will happen. These bugs are harmless and their pinchers will simply attach to you without causing any pain.
How do you get rid of pincher bugs?
The best way to get rid of pincher bugs is to control the heat and humidity in the home. These bugs can’t survive warm, dry spaces.
Why am I finding pincher bugs in my house?
More than likely, you’re finding pincher bugs in your home because there is excess moisture in the basement, or you have a lot of organic debris or bugs around.
Why do I suddenly have earwigs in my house?
If it seems like it’s all of a sudden, it may be that earwig eggs just hatched, which may number as many as 30 to 50 total.
