They show up in your bathroom at 2 a.m., scrambling across the tile with a pair of curved pincers that look like something out of a horror movie. Earwigs have a reputation that far exceeds their actual threat — but that doesn’t make finding them in your Des Moines basement, Omaha laundry room, or Kansas City kitchen any less unsettling. If earwigs have been showing up in your home, here’s everything you need to know about what they are, why they’re there, and how to get rid of them for good.

What Does an Earwig Look Like?

Earwigs are slender, reddish-brown insects that typically measure between half an inch and one inch long. Their most distinctive feature is a pair of forceps-like appendages — called cerci — that extend from the rear of their abdomen. These pincers are used primarily for defense and mating, not for attacking humans or burrowing into anything.

Most earwig species also have two pairs of wings, though they rarely fly. Their flat, elongated bodies allow them to squeeze into tight cracks and crevices, which is one reason they’re so good at sneaking indoors.

Common species you might encounter in the Midwest include the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which is by far the most widespread.

The Ear Myth: Busted

The name “earwig” comes from an old European superstition that these insects would crawl into people’s ears while they slept and burrow into the brain. It’s a vivid legend — and completely false.

Earwigs have no interest in human ears. They are not parasitic. They do not seek out warm cavities in the human body. Like most insects, they will actively avoid contact with people when possible. While any small insect could theoretically wander near a sleeping person’s face, earwigs are no more likely to do so than a stray beetle or spider.

Bottom line: earwigs are not dangerous to humans. Their pincers can deliver a minor pinch if you handle them roughly, but they do not sting, do not transmit diseases, and are not venomous. The biggest problem they cause is the “ick” factor — and the fact that where you see one, there are often many more hiding nearby.

Why Are Earwigs Coming Inside?

Earwigs are outdoor insects at heart. They thrive in moist, sheltered environments where they feed on organic matter, soft plant material, and occasionally other insects. When they end up inside your home, it’s almost always for one of these reasons:

  • Moisture: Earwigs are drawn to humidity. Leaky pipes, poor drainage, and damp basements create ideal conditions. Homes in the Des Moines and Omaha areas see earwig activity spike during wet spring and summer months.
  • Mulch and leaf litter near the foundation: Thick layers of mulch against your home’s foundation are prime earwig habitat. They hide there during the day and migrate inward through foundation cracks at night.
  • Outdoor lighting: Earwigs are attracted to light. Exterior lights near doors and windows can draw them in, especially during warm evenings in the Kansas City metro.
  • Seeking shelter: In extreme heat or drought, earwigs seek cooler, moister environments — which your home provides in abundance.
  • Gaps and cracks: Like most insects, earwigs exploit any entry point they can find: gaps around pipes, poorly sealed doors and windows, and cracks in the foundation.

Where Are Earwigs Found Inside the Home?

Once inside, earwigs gravitate toward the dampest areas of your home. Common hotspots include:

  • Bathrooms — especially near the base of toilets, under sinks, and around tub drains
  • Basements and crawl spaces — particularly if there’s any moisture intrusion
  • Kitchens — under the sink, behind the refrigerator, and near dishwasher lines
  • Laundry rooms
  • Garage floors — especially near the perimeter walls
  • Houseplant soil — earwigs will occasionally nest in the moist soil of potted plants

If you’re finding earwigs regularly in multiple areas of your home, that’s a sign of an established population — not just a random stray visitor.

DIY Prevention Tips for Midwest Homeowners

The good news is that earwig prevention is largely about moisture control and exclusion. Here are steps you can take to make your home less inviting:

  1. Fix moisture problems first. Repair leaky faucets and pipes. Make sure gutters and downspouts are directing water away from the foundation. Use a dehumidifier in damp basements.
  2. Pull mulch back from the foundation. Maintain at least a 6-inch gap between mulch, wood chips, or leaf litter and your home’s exterior walls.
  3. Seal entry points. Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks in the foundation, gaps around utility pipes, and poorly sealed windows and doors. Use caulk and weather stripping to close off access.
  4. Reduce outdoor lighting near entry points. Switch to yellow or sodium vapor lights, which attract fewer insects, or reposition lights away from doorways.
  5. Declutter around the perimeter. Remove stacked firewood, boards, rocks, and other debris from against your home’s exterior walls — all of these create earwig harborage.
  6. Check your irrigation habits. Watering in the morning instead of the evening lets the soil dry out before nightfall, making it less attractive to moisture-seeking earwigs.

These measures can significantly reduce earwig pressure, but they may not fully eliminate an established infestation — especially if moisture issues are structural or if the population has already moved indoors.

When to Call Miller Pest Solutions

If you’re regularly finding earwigs throughout your home, seeing them in multiple rooms, or dealing with recurring infestations despite your best prevention efforts, it’s time to bring in a professional.

At Miller Pest Solutions, we’ve been helping Midwest homeowners protect their homes from earwigs and dozens of other pests since 2001. Our licensed technicians understand the conditions that drive earwig activity in Des Moines, Omaha, and the Kansas City area — and we tailor our treatments accordingly.

Professional earwig control from Miller Pest Solutions typically includes:

  • A thorough assessment of moisture conditions, entry points, and harborage areas
  • Targeted perimeter treatment to create a barrier around your home’s foundation
  • Interior treatment of active hotspots (bathrooms, basements, under sinks)
  • Recommendations for long-term moisture and exclusion improvements

Our residential pest control programs include coverage for earwigs as part of ongoing protection — so you’re not just solving today’s problem, you’re preventing the next one.

Earwig treatments are generally very affordable, and a free phone bid can give you a clear picture of what to expect before any work begins. Learn more about common Midwest pests in our Pest ID library, or browse our Learning Center for more tips on keeping your home pest-free.

Earwig Control in Des Moines, Omaha, and Kansas City

Earwigs are a consistent problem across the Midwest’s humid summers and fluctuating spring weather. Whether you’re in the Des Moines metro, the greater Omaha area, or anywhere in the Kansas City region, Miller Pest Solutions has local technicians ready to help.

Don’t wait for a small earwig problem to turn into a full-scale infestation. The thousands of homeowners who trust Miller Pest Solutions will tell you — fast, professional service makes all the difference.

Get a Free Phone Bid Today

Ready to take back your home from earwigs? Call Miller Pest Solutions for a free phone bid and let our team put together a customized treatment plan for your home.

Or request a quote online and we’ll get back to you quickly. Miller Pest Solutions — protecting Midwest families since 2001.