Earwigs Treatment
Across the Front Range.
Pincer-tailed bugs in mulch beds, basements, and bathroom drains.
Earwigs are nocturnal moisture-loving bugs that crawl into homes through gaps and end up in basements, bathrooms, and around plumbing.
They look alarming — those rear pincers — but they don't bite hard, don't transmit disease, and don't damage structures. EPC treats them with perimeter residual + moisture source identification.
About Earwigs
Earwigs are 1/2 to 1 inch, dark brown, with prominent rear pincers (cerci). They're omnivorous — eating decaying plants, other insects, and occasionally seedling plants. Females lay 30–55 eggs in soil and guard them. Active at night, they hide by day in mulch, leaf litter, and damp cracks.
Signs You Have Earwigs
- Earwigs found in bathtubs, sinks, basements (came up drains or in through gaps)
- Damaged seedlings, soft fruit, and flower petals (garden damage)
- High activity in mulch beds, under stones, behind landscape timbers
- Earwigs around exterior light fixtures at night
- Concentration in moist basements, crawlspaces, and bathroom areas
How EPC Treats Earwigs
Perimeter Barrier
Residual treatment around the foundation, mulch beds, and exterior light areas. Knocks down the outdoor population most likely to enter.
Drain and Plumbing Treatment
Bio-remediation drain treatment in bathrooms and basements where earwigs come up plumbing. Eliminates the conducive environment.
Habitat Modification
Tech walks the property identifying moisture and harborage issues — overwatered mulch, deep leaf litter, untreated lumber piles. Removing these crashes the population.
Indoor Spot Treatment
Targeted treatment in basement and bathroom void spaces where earwigs harbor. Used selectively when sealing alone isn't enough.
How to Prevent Earwigs
- Pull mulch back at least 6 inches from the foundation; keep it 2–3 inches deep, not 6+
- Fix leaky outdoor faucets and downspouts that overwater the foundation zone
- Replace incandescent exterior bulbs with yellow LEDs (less attractive at night)
- Caulk gaps around windows, doors, utility entries, basement walls
- Remove leaf litter, untreated lumber, and woodpiles from near the house
Frequently Asked Questions
Do earwigs go in your ears?
No — that's a myth. The name comes from the wing shape, not behavior. Earwigs don't seek out human ears.
Do earwigs bite?
They can pinch with the rear cerci, but rarely break skin and aren't aggressive. The bigger issue is volume — they appear in bathtubs and basements unsettlingly often.
Why do I have earwigs in my bathtub?
Earwigs come up drains looking for moisture and end up trapped in the smooth tub. Often a sign of moisture issues in walls or under the foundation.
How do I get rid of earwigs in mulch?
Reduce mulch depth to 2 inches max, pull it back from the foundation, and apply perimeter treatment. Heavy organic mulch is an earwig nursery.
Areas We Treat Earwigs
EPC handles earwigs calls across the entire Denver metro. Click your city for local detail:
Related Pests
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