What Do Earwigs Eat?

Earwigs are often seen as pesky intruders, but their eating habits reveal an interesting side to these nocturnal insects. As omnivores, earwigs eat both plant matter and small insects, helping them thrive in gardens and homes. While earwigs contribute to natural pest control by feasting on aphids and other harmful bugs, their appetite for tender plants can sometimes make them unwelcome guests in your garden. In this article, we will explore what earwigs eat and offer tips for controlling them in your home and garden.

Earwigs are opportunistic feeders, meaning their diet varies based on availability and environment. They consume both plant and animal matter, making them versatile survivors in different habitats. This versatility in their diet not only helps them survive in diverse conditions but also gives them a dual role in ecosystems. They act as natural pest controllers while potentially damaging tender plants. Organic Material Earwigs feed on decaying plant matter, such as dead leaves and rotting wood, aiding in decomposition and nutrient recycling. Their scavenging reduces plant disease spread and keeps habitats clean, though large populations may become a nuisance. Small Insects Acting as natural pest controllers, earwigs prey on garden pests like aphids, mites, and insect eggs. Their predatory behavior benefits gardeners by helping control pest populations naturally. Plant Materials Earwigs feed on leaves, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, often chewing the edges of leaves and petals. They are especially drawn to soft fruits like strawberries and apricots, as well as tender crops like lettuce, beans, and potatoes, potentially damaging gardens. Fungi Earwigs consume fungi found on decaying plant material, limiting fungal growth in their habitats. While beneficial, their presence may signal excessive moisture, highlighting the need for better ventilation or drainage Earwigs’ ability to shift between plant and insect matter makes them fascinating yet occasionally troublesome creatures to deal with. Visit our Species, Control, and DIY Guide sections for additional resources on earwigs and ways to tackle an earwig infestation.

What Do Earwigs Eat Outdoors?

In the wild, earwigs have a diverse diet, feeding on plant material, decaying organic matter, and small insects. They consume leaves, flowers, fruits, and tender plant shoots, often damaging soft fruits like strawberries and apricots. While they can cause minor harm to plants, their role as decomposers helps enrich the soil as they break down leaves, mulch and other organic matter. Additionally, earwigs prey on small pests such as aphids and mites, providing natural pest control and balancing the harm they may cause to plants.

What Do Earwigs Eat Inside Your Home?

When earwigs invade homes, they adapt their diet based on available resources. They typically feed on crumbs, pet food, and pantry items. In some cases, earwigs may also chew on paper, cardboard, or wallpaper glue, especially in damp environments where these materials can absorb moisture. Earwigs are particularly drawn to moist areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. They may feed on damp towels, plant soil, or organic debris in these spaces. While they rarely cause significant damage indoors, their presence can be bothersome.

How Long Can Earwigs Live Without Food?

Earwigs can survive without food for two to four weeks, depending on environmental factors like humidity and temperature. Their low metabolic rate allows them to conserve energy and endure periods without a food source. However, while they can go weeks without food, they cannot survive long without moisture. Their survival is significantly reduced in dry conditions, often lasting only a few days to a week.

What is Earwigs’ Role in the Ecosystem?

Earwigs contribute positively to ecosystems, especially in gardens, by acting as natural predators of pests like aphids, mites, and caterpillars, reducing the need for pesticides. Their scavenging aids nutrient recycling by breaking down organic matter, enriching the soil, and promoting plant health. Despite their benefits, earwigs can be problematic in large numbers. They may damage young plants, flowers, and fruits in gardens and become a nuisance indoors, though they rarely cause significant harm.

How to Prevent Earwig Infestation?

Preventing earwigs effectively requires addressing their preferred habitats and food sources while leveraging natural control methods. Here are practical strategies to reduce their presence:

Steps to Prevent Earwigs

Fix leaky pipes, improve ventilation, and ensure proper drainage to eliminate moisture in damp areas.
Clean food crumbs, store pantry items in airtight containers, and clear decaying plant matter to remove food sources.
Seal cracks around windows, doors, and foundations with caulk, and use weather stripping to block entry points.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around hiding spots and use essential oils to repel earwigs naturally.
Attract natural predators like birds, frogs, and toads by creating a garden environment that supports their presence.

If these prevention techniques don’t resolve the issue or the infestation persists, consider consulting a professional pest control service. Our team can provide a customized approach to protect your home effectively. Myths and Facts about Earwigs Many myths surround earwigs, most of which are far from the truth. To help clarify their actual behavior, we have listed some common misconceptions alongside the facts.

Myth	Fact
Earwigs crawl into ears and burrow into brains.	This is a myth; earwigs do not seek out human ears and are not interested in entering them.
Earwigs are dangerous and can bite humans.	Earwigs are not harmful to humans. They use their pincers for defense and capturing prey.
Earwigs only eat plants and cause garden damage.	Earwigs are omnivores and also consume pest insects, playing a beneficial role in gardens.
All earwigs can fly.	While some earwigs have wings, they are not strong fliers and typically prefer to crawl.
Earwigs are only found in homes.	Earwigs are found worldwide in various habitats, including gardens, forests, and fields.

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