You’re relaxing at home when a strange brown bug suddenly scurries out from under the rug. It has a long body, quick legs, and scary-looking pincers on its rear. Naturally, you wonder: Can this thing hurt me or my pets?
The insect is most likely an earwig. Despite their intimidating appearance, earwigs are usually harmless.
What Is an Earwig?
Earwigs are small insects known for the pincers, called cerci, at the end of their abdomen. They usually grow between 5 and 25 millimeters long and are dark brown or black.
They love damp, dark places and are mostly active at night. That’s why they often hide under rugs, rocks, cardboard, or inside basements and bathrooms.
Why Do They Look So Dangerous?
Their rear pincers make them look threatening, but earwigs are not aggressive. The pincers are mainly used for defense, mating, and handling objects.
Their fast, scuttling movement also adds to their creepy reputation, but they usually try to run away instead of attacking.
Can Earwigs Pinch You?
Yes, they can pinch if handled or threatened, but the pinch is mild and rarely painful. Their pincers are not strong enough to seriously hurt people.
And despite the old myth, earwigs do not crawl into human ears or burrow into brains.
