What in the World is That Bug?
It’s late at night. You shuffle into the bathroom, flip on the light, and there it is—perched near the baseboard like it owns the place. A slender, reddish-brown bug with a slick, armored body and a pair of curved pinchers sticking out from its tail end. You freeze. It freezes. You both stare each other down. That, my friend, is an earwig—and it’s got no business in your home.
For folks across Southern Utah, especially in towns like Cedar City, St. George, and beyond, earwigs are a common creepy-crawly guest. While they may not bite or sting, they’ve got a knack for showing up where they’re not wanted—and in numbers you don’t even want to think about.
What Are Earwigs, Really?
Let’s paint a picture. Earwigs are long, flat insects with a sleek exoskeleton that glistens under light. They’re usually a dark reddish-brown, with six spindly legs and two thin antennae constantly twitching as they navigate your floor or sink. But the real showstopper? Those intimidating pincers on their backside. Technically called “cerci,” these curved appendages vary in shape between males and females—males have more pronounced, curved pincers, while females’ are straighter and slimmer.
Despite their horror-movie looks, earwigs aren’t dangerous. Those pincers aren’t strong enough to hurt humans, though they’ll give a little nip if provoked. And no, they don’t crawl into your ears while you sleep—promise. That myth’s been around for centuries, but it’s nothing more than an old wives’ tale.
Still not sure if that creepy crawler in the corner is an earwig? Want to learn more about them with facts, and our full approach to kicking them out. Check out our Southern Utah earwig guide here.
Where Do They Come From?
Earwigs thrive in moist, dark environments. Outdoors, they favor mulch beds, rotting wood, garden debris, and any shady crevice that stays damp. They spend their days hiding and come out at night to feed and explore. In Southern Utah, your yard is a prime spot—drip systems, flowerbeds, piles of firewood, and even decorative rockwork all create earwig heaven.
When temperatures drop or dry spells hit—especially in higher elevation towns like Cedar City—they might decide your home looks cozy. You’ll find them in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements. Basically, anywhere that’s humid and a little dark.
How Earwigs Reproduce
Earwig mothers are actually some of the most nurturing in the insect world. In the cooler months, females dig small burrows in moist soil or under mulch and lay clusters of 30 to 50 tiny, pearly-white eggs. She’ll guard them fiercely, keeping them clean and protected until they hatch. Once the young nymphs emerge, she continues to care for them until they’re strong enough to go solo.
As these nymphs grow, they molt several times, gradually transforming into adult earwigs. Given the right conditions, a yard can go from one or two earwigs to a full-blown infestation in a matter of weeks.
What Damage Do They Cause?
Earwigs aren’t known to spread disease, and they don’t cause structural damage like termites or rodents. But make no mistake—they can be a real nuisance. In gardens, they’ll chew through leaves, flowers, seedlings, and even fruits and vegetables. If you’ve got petunias with ragged edges or lettuce leaves mysteriously shredded overnight, earwigs could be the culprits.
Inside the home, they’re more of a psychological pest. Their sudden appearances in bathtubs, sinks, or crawling along baseboards can be unsettling. And when you find one, chances are, there’s more.
Why Earwigs Love Southern Utah
Southern Utah’s diverse climate offers a buffet of earwig-friendly environments. Cedar City, with its seasonal rains and cooler summers, gives them perfect soil and garden spaces to nest. Down in St. George or Kanab, irrigation systems and landscaped yards offer moisture even in the heat, creating hidden pockets of habitat. Anywhere there’s water, mulch, or shade, there’s a chance you’ll find these little hitchhikers.
How to Prevent Them
If you’re tired of seeing earwigs dart across the floor, here’s how to make your home and yard less inviting:
- Seal it up: Use caulk to seal cracks around doors, windows, and your home’s foundation.
- Control moisture: Fix leaky outdoor faucets, broken sprinklers, and dripping hoses. Use dehumidifiers indoors.
- Clean up the yard: Remove woodpiles, leaf litter, and overgrown mulch around the foundation.
- Limit lighting: Earwigs are drawn to porch and pathway lights—opt for yellow bulbs or motion sensors.
- Create dry zones: Keep mulch and landscaping a few inches away from your home’s base.
FAQs About Earwigs
Are earwigs dangerous to humans? Not at all. They may look scary with their pincers, but earwigs don’t bite or spread disease. They might pinch if handled roughly, but it’s more of a surprise than a sting.
Why do I keep finding earwigs in my bathroom? Bathrooms are humid and often have dark corners—perfect for earwigs. They’re drawn to moisture and will enter homes in search of water, especially in dry or hot seasons.
What do earwigs eat? Earwigs are omnivores. Outside, they munch on decaying plant matter, soft fruits, and small insects. Inside, they’re mostly just looking for moisture but may nibble on starchy food or paper.
Can I get rid of earwigs without chemicals? Yes! Reducing moisture, sealing entry points, and clearing garden debris can go a long way. But for large infestations, professional treatment is often necessary for lasting results.
When to Call in the Pros
If you’re seeing earwigs every week—or worse, every day—it’s time to call in the experts. While do-it-yourself methods can help, they often treat the symptoms, not the source. A professional pest control team can identify breeding sites, apply targeted treatments, and put long-term prevention measures in place.
Why Newby’s is the Go-To
At Newby’s, we don’t just treat the surface—we dig into the source of the problem. We know Southern Utah because we’re from Southern Utah. Whether it’s a garden in Beaver or a basement in Cedar City, we know how these pests operate and how to stop them. Our team brings decades of experience, friendly service, and dependable results.
Started by Cash Newby after years under Big Tom’s banner, Newby’s keeps the legacy alive: same game, different name—just a little sharper branding and a deeper commitment to our community.
So if earwigs are making themselves at home in your house or yard, don’t wait. Give Newby’s a call today or schedule online. We’ll help you kick those weird little bugs to the curb—and keep ‘em out for good.
