Flying Earwigs: Do Earwigs Fly or Have Wings? | Orkin (2024)

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Flying Earwigs: Do Earwigs Fly or Have Wings? | Orkin? ›

There are over 1,500 species of earwigs

Rubbing alcohol and water: Mix some together in a spray bottle. Spritz directly on earwigs to kill them on contact. Olive oil and soy sauce: Cook up a trap with these two ingredients by mixing oil and soy sauce in a container and leaving it in a spot where you last saw earwigs.

Firebrats are other bugs that look like earwigs and even bear a striking resemblance to silverfish. These pests have a similar body shape with three long tails at the end of their body. However, they're usually a darker brown, making them stand out from their silverfish cousins.

Identification: The adults of this species are without wings. They are less than 3/4 inch long with females larger than males. The overall color is a very dark brown to black but with pale legs, and the legs tend to have darker rings around them, giving them their common name.

Even though most species of earwigs have wings, not all species fly. Earwigs that do fly are not the most agile fliers in most cases. The wings are not as efficient as a house fly's for example. Earwigs which fly usually fly in short bursts.

Many earwigs do indeed fly, but I have never heard of massive numbers of them doing so. The description fits with the "riparian earwig," or "linear earwig," or, more than likely, a genus or species related to one of them.

If threatened, an earwig could bite, but this isn't likely to happen. They aren't venomous, and an earwig bite can't cause substantial damage. Earwigs prefer to attack with their pinchers. They won't hurt you unless threatened, but they can still leave a painful mark behind.

Specific essential oils have scents that earwigs dislike. Some of the best scents to keep earwigs away include peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon and basil. In order to distribute these scents throughout your house, simply put a few drops of essential oil into some water to dilute it.

Earwigs are brought into homes through potted plants, wet cardboard, and wet newspapers. They will also travel inside when the outside temperatures become too hot or cold for them and so they try to find suitable areas to inhabit.

They enter houses either by accident or when seeking shelter, especially in the fall or during periods of prolonged dry weather. Earwigs inside the house do not cause any harm or destruction. They are an annoyance or nuisance because of their presence. If disturbed, earwigs may produce a noticeable foul odor.

Can earwigs live in your bed? ›

If your bed is in a basem*nt, an earwig might have found its way into your bed because a humid basem*nt provides a dark, moist, habitat.

This is explained in detail under “What Are the Differences Between Earwigs and co*ckroaches?” As a result of taxonomy, it is clear that earwigs are in a different order than termites. Earwigs are in the order Dermaptera, and termites are in the order Isoptera.

Earwigs live on every continent except Antarctica and are most prevalent in the southern and southwestern areas of the United States. Earwigs make their homes outdoors in grasses and woods or under leaves, rocks, mulch, bark, logs, and lawn clippings.

Presently it occurs south to North Carolina, Arizona and southern California, but due to its preference for temperate climates it is unlikely to become abundant in the southeastern states.

Earwigs, technically and practically, are different from co*ckroaches. In the hierarchy of biology classification, earwigs and co*ckroaches are both members of the class Insecta (Hexapods). However, scientists categorize animals based upon their characteristics, and earwigs and co*ckroaches are not in the same group.

The pests themselves are pretty harmless. No, they don't crawl into our ears at night while we are sleeping. But their existence may indicate that there is something homeowners should be very concerned about. Earwigs generally reside outdoors and live in moist, dark areas for example under mulch, logs, and rocks.

Scientifically, Pincher Bugs are called Earwigs; these insects make up the order Dermaptera, meaning “skin wings.” Yes, Earwigs possess wings–and yes, they can fly. However, pincher bugs generally choose to stay grounded.

Because of their intimidating pincers, or forceps, protruding from the abdomen, earwigs might appear to be a dangerous bug. This is a misconception. Earwigs can use their forceps to grasp onto a finger if agitated, but earwigs do not sting nor are they dangerous. They have no venom, so earwigs are not poisonous.