ENVIRONMENTAL PEST
MANAGEMENT
Madison, Wisconsin
Sam Gottlieb
608-277-8828
The European earwig is about 5/8 inch long and brownish.
Earwigs can be a nuisance both outside and in the home. During the day
they tend to hide in almost any dark space, especially if the space is enclosed.
They prefer a slightly moist environment and may be found in stacks of
newspapers, under rugs and in similar locations. Outside the common they are
often found in garden mulching materials, other debris and in vegetation.
Earwigs can bite, but their fearsome reputation comes from their rather ferocious appearance and the old wives tale that they crawl into peoples ears, which is untrue.