There is a superstition that earwigs burrow into the ears of people while they sleep. There have never been any confirmed cases of this really happening. Earwigs frighten many people because of the pincers on the back of their abdomens. Earwigs use these pincers for defense and for catching prey.There are more than twenty species of earwigs in the United States. Depending on the species, adults range in size from one quarter to one inch. They are slender insects with two pair of wings.
Earwigs are active at night. During the day they hide in cracks in damp areas. They live under rocks and logs and in mulch in flowerbeds. Earwigs eat plants and insects.
Earwigs are attracted to lights. They can become a nuisance on porches and patios on summer evenings. In the morning they will be gathered under things like cushions that were left outside overnight. Earwigs move into homes to find food or because of a change in weather.