Pincher bugs can seem quite threatening, with their menacing appearance and large claws sticking out from their abdomens. But are these little pests actually dangerous, or is their scary appearance just for show?
While they don’t harm humans or have any strange attraction to ears or wigs, pincher bugs can gnaw holes through household fabrics such as furniture upholstery and curtains and quickly eat through vegetables, plants, and flowers. If they aren’t immediately removed, they can ruin your garden.
This article will cover everything you need to know about pincher bugs, including what they eat, the different types, and how to get rid of them if they become pests in your home. Keep reading to learn how to ward off these nasty pests!
What Is a Pincher Bug?
A Pincher bug, also called an earwig, is a small bug ranging from ¼ to 1 inch long, and its abdomen has pinchers (or forceps) sticking out from it. If you’ve been trying to figure out the difference between an earwig vs a pincher bug, there’s none. Earwigs and pincher bugs are two names to refer to the same insect.
Mostly nocturnal, pincher bugs live in moist, shady areas and are distantly related to cockroaches and crickets. These pests are typically dark brown, reddish-brown, or black. While earwigs usually have one pair of wings, some can have up to four wings or two sets.
Pincher bugs belong to the insect order Dermaptera, which has existed for about 208 million years. There are over 2,000 species of pincher bugs in 12 families. While this number sounds like a lot, Dermaptera is actually one of the smaller insect orders.
Pincher Bug vs Earwig: Are They the Same?
As mentioned previously, pincher bugs and earwigs are two names for the same insect. Earwigs received their name from an old myth that they crawl into people’s ears and eat their brains. Pincher bugs’ name comes from the scary, pincher-like appendages on their abdomen.
Do Pincher Bugs Have Wings?
If you’re wondering, “Do pincher bugs fly?” The short answer is yes, they can fly.
Pincher bugs have both forewings and hindwings. The forewings help cover and protect the thin, fan-like hindwings, which fold underneath and come out for short flights. While pinch bugs can fly, they rarely do.
Pincher Bugs Reproduction & Life Cycle Stages
Pincher bugs typically mate in the fall or early winter, and the female lays her eggs in the spring. A female will carry her eggs until she finds a good spot to lay them, usually in a hidden crack or crevice. When a female pincher bug finds a safe place, she lays 20–60 eggs in a hole she’s dug, licking each egg individually to prevent fungus from growing.
Here’s a breakdown of the pincher bug life cycle:
- Eggs: Pincher bug eggs hatch in about seven days. A female can lay up to 60 eggs at once.
- Nymphs: Once it hatches, the young pincher bug is called a nymph or hatchling. It will go through four to six molts, shedding its skin each time, before becoming an adult.
- Molts: Molting is the process by which the earwig sheds its old skin to grow new one. As nymphs molt, they grow larger and eventually develop adult features such as wings.
- Adults: The average lifespan of a pinch bug, from hatching to adulthood, is about one year.
4 Different Types of Pincher Bugs
In the United States, there are over 22 species of pincher bugs, but most homeowners only encounter a few of them. Here are 4 common types of earwigs you may come across:
- European Earwigs (Forficula Auricularia): The European pincher bug, often called the common earwig, is the most widespread type in the U.S. You’ll usually find it in cool, moist areas around the home. These bugs are active at night, searching for food and shelter. European earwigs’ diets consist of dead plants and other insects. Often an inch long, these bugs have noticeable pincers at the end of their body. Although they may look intimidating, they’re not dangerous to people and won’t harm you.
- Ring-Legged Earwigs (Euborellia Annulipes): Ring-legged pincher bugs are common in the Southern United States. Unlike European earwigs, these pests don’t have wings. Their name comes from the dark rings on their yellowish legs, and they’re slightly darker than common earwigs. Ring-legged pinchers are often found outdoors, where they feed on plants and other insects. While not harmful to individuals, there are ways to keep ring-legged earwigs out of your home and garden.
- Striped Earwigs (Labidura Riparia): Also known as riparian or shore earwigs, striped earwigs have distinctive stripes on their backs. They are light brown and are known for being effective predators. They eat a variety of insects, including larvae, eggs, spiders, millipedes, and caterpillars.
- Maritime Earwigs (Anisolabis Maritima): The maritime pincher bug, or the seaside earwig, is found near the coast. Although they can’t swim, they like to eat other insects in the wet sand at the beach. Maritime earwigs are active at night and rest in cool, moist places during the day. They have a blackish body with a yellow underbelly and legs with noticeable pincers. Unlike other pinch bugs, maritime earwigs don’t have wings.
What Do Pincher Bugs Eat?
A pincher bug is an omnivore, which means it can eat almost anything available. In a garden, these pests mainly consume dead or decaying plant and animal matter.
However, if their population grows too much, pincher bugs may start eating living plant material, particularly seedlings or young foliage of vegetables and flowers. Earwigs also prey on insect eggs, aphids, grubs, maggots, and armyworms.
- This situation presents a dilemma for gardeners: should earwigs be left in the garden to eat other pests, or should they be removed to avoid further damage to plants? Generally, pincher bugs don’t cause enough harm to gardens to justify getting rid of them. However, if you notice a large number of earwigs around your plants, it may be time to call the professionals.
Are Pincher Bugs Dangerous?
Although pinching bugs are pests, they’re not dangerous to humans or pets. Their large pinchers might suggest otherwise, but this is a common misconception.
Like any other pest with pinchers, earwigs may pinch (and often bite) humans if they’re agitated or afraid but don’t usually do this on purpose. Despite the mild discomfort, pincher bug bites are generally harmless and not known to cause serious injury.
You may also be wondering, “Are pincher bugs poisonous?” The truth is that earwigs don’t sting and aren’t poisonous or venomous.
How to Get Rid of Pincher Bugs in House
Are you dealing with unwanted pincher bugs on your property? Here are 7 easy tips to help you get rid of them quickly:
- Take Out Your Trash: Pincher bugs are attracted to moist trash cans with decaying matter. Ensure you’re regularly taking out the trash to keep these pests away.
- Address Existing Pests: Earwigs eat small bugs such as aphids, mites, and other insect eggs. If you have other pests in your home, pincher bugs will instantly be drawn to them. Eliminate any pests you find to reduce the chance of earwigs.
- Seal Cracks & Crevices: A pincher bug can easily squeeze through small gaps in your home’s foundation, windows, or doors. Sealing cracks and holes can help keep these pests out.
- Fix Leaky Pipes & Drains: Moisture from leaks in pipes and drains can attract pinch bugs. Keep your pipes and drains in pristine condition to prevent creating a damp environment they like.
- Keep Your Yard Tidy: Earwigs like to hide in and feed on plants and decaying matter. By keeping your yard clean and free of weeds and dead plants, you reduce the places where they can settle.
- Employ DIY Traps: If you already have these pests in your home, employ homemade traps to get rid of pincher bugs. Vegetable oil traps, for instance, are a simple and effective way to kill them.
- Use Repellent Scents: Earwigs dislike certain smells. Repel them by using these scents in their natural form or as essential oils. Effective scents include peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, basil, lemon, lavender, clove, rosemary, or white vinegar.
Experiencing a Pincher Bug Infestation? Let Preventive Pest Control Exterminators Help Protect Your Property
Pincher bugs are common across the US and can become a nuisance in the right conditions. Despite not being harmful pests, they flock to cool, wet, and dark places—many of which may exist in your yard or home.
Are you facing a pincher bug infestation? Seek help from expert pest control services such as Preventive Pest Control for lasting elimination solutions. Our exterminators understand pincher bugs’ behavior and how to effectively manage them. Our pest control techniques not only help get rid of earwigs but also force them out of their hidden spots. Leverage our affordable and convenient subscription plans for year-round earwig-free living.
Contact us today to work with Southern California’s trusted pest control technicians!