EARWIG EXTERMINATOR - MONTREAL & SOUTH SHORE

About Earwigs (Forficulidae)

Activity
Earwigs are mostly active at night, preferring to hide during the day in damp and shadowy places. Although they don’t move quickly in open spaces, they are efficient at squeezing into cracks, gaps, and secluded spots both inside and outside the home. Their activity tends to increase during wet weather or when outside conditions become too dry, prompting them to seek shelter indoors.

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Diet
These insects are omnivores and feed on a variety of organic matter. Outdoors, they consume dead plant material, soft-bodied insects, algae, and mold. Inside a building, they may be attracted to pet food, crumbs, decaying material, or even houseplants. While they rarely damage household items, their presence in kitchens or bathrooms can be unsettling.

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Size
Adult earwigs typically measure between 12 and 25 millimeters in length, depending on the species. They have a long, narrow body with a pair of curved pincers at the end, which are more pronounced in males. Despite their intimidating look, they pose no real danger to people or pets.

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Habitat in Quebec
Earwigs are commonly found throughout Quebec, especially in suburban and rural areas with gardens, mulch, and abundant outdoor moisture. They flourish in environments where dampness and shelter are readily available. Homes surrounded by vegetation or with poorly sealed foundations are more prone to indoor earwig sightings.

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Indoors
When earwigs find their way inside, they tend to gather in humid zones such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, and under kitchen appliances. They’re often spotted crawling along baseboards or hiding near water sources. Their presence indoors is usually accidental, but repeated appearances can signal outdoor populations too close to the building.

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Outdoors
Most earwigs live and breed outside. They hide beneath flowerpots, rocks, garden borders, piles of leaves, or bark. These spots provide the darkness and moisture they seek. When populations grow large or outdoor conditions change, earwigs may venture indoors through open doors, foundation gaps, or broken window screens.

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Breeding and Development
Female earwigs lay their eggs in damp soil or under protected surfaces. After hatching, the nymphs remain close to the nest area, going through several molts before reaching adulthood. Under ideal conditions, they can reproduce rapidly, with new generations appearing in a matter of weeks during warmer seasons.

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Prevalent Species Around Montreal
In the Greater Montreal region, the European earwig is the most frequently encountered species. It thrives in urban gardens, flowerbeds, and beneath yard debris. While it is not aggressive, its growing numbers during certain times of the year can create a minor infestation if not managed early.

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Occasional Invaders, Persistent Presence
Though earwigs are not considered dangerous pests, their numbers can escalate quickly, leading to regular intrusions into homes and garages. Their tendency to appear in damp, neglected spaces often causes concern, especially when sightings become frequent. Long-term management often requires environmental changes around the property and targeted treatment where populations are concentrated.

Signs of an Earwig Infestation

Noticing the early signs of an earwig presence can help prevent repeated indoor sightings and growing discomfort. These nocturnal insects often remain out of sight during the day, but they do leave subtle clues. If you start seeing signs like the ones below, there may be more hiding than you think.

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1. Earwigs showing up in the basement, bathrooms or kitchens
If you’re spotting thin, reddish-brown insects with pincer-like tails near sinks, tubs, or along baseboards, especially at night, it’s likely they’ve found a way inside. Their sudden appearance in damp rooms is often tied to outdoor conditions pushing them to seek shelter.

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2. Increased activity after rain or heavy watering
Earwigs love moist environments. After a period of rainfall or heavy garden watering, they’re more likely to migrate indoors, especially through cracks in doors, basement windows, or foundation gaps.

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3. Sightings under laundry piles or floor mats
These insects hide wherever there’s shade and humidity. If you discover them under wet towels, doormats, or laundry left on the floor, it’s a strong indicator that conditions inside your home are attracting them.

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4. Clusters near potted plants or leaf buildup
Earwigs are commonly found under flowerpots, in the soil of indoor plants, or where fallen leaves collect near entry points. Their habit of gathering in these cozy pockets of moisture can lead to regular intrusions inside.

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5. Nighttime movement across floors and walls
As nocturnal foragers, earwigs typically emerge after dark. You may spot them crawling near baseboards, along tile floors, or behind furniture once the lights go out. Seeing more than one within a few nights usually points to a nearby hiding place.

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6. Droppings or smudges near humid corners
Though not always easy to recognize, earwigs can leave behind tiny waste particles and greasy marks, especially along their pathways behind appliances or under cabinets. This is more likely when populations begin to grow.

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7. Musty smells in certain areas
A lingering earthy or musty odor coming from under the sink or behind bathroom fixtures could be linked to hidden insect activity, including earwigs nesting in damp cracks or voids.

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8. Frequent appearances in basements and garages
These cool, dark, and often overlooked areas are ideal for earwig shelter. If you’re spotting them along foundation walls or under boxes and storage bins, chances are you’re dealing with a population that’s settled in.

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9. Sudden presence around door thresholds
Finding earwigs near your entry doors—especially beneath the weatherstripping or door mats—is a sign that the exterior conditions are forcing them to seek out new hiding spots indoors.

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10. Continued sightings despite tidying up
If you’ve done a full clean and are still encountering earwigs after dark or in the same locations, they may be nesting in places that regular cleaning can’t reach. This could include cracks in floors, wall gaps, or under siding that connects to the exterior.

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When earwigs start taking over indoor spaces, it’s often a sign of a larger moisture or shelter issue. Eliminating their hiding spots and sealing potential entry points is crucial, but when sightings become frequent, a targeted professional intervention ensures they don’t return.

Understanding Earwigs

Earwigs are a common sight in many homes across Quebec, especially during the warmer months. These nocturnal insects are often drawn indoors when outdoor conditions become too dry, too wet, or too cool. They tend to hide in tight spaces, behind baseboards, under appliances, or near water sources like sinks and bathtubs. While their appearance can be unsettling due to the pincers on their abdomen, they do not pose a direct threat to humans and are not known to spread disease. However, their presence indoors may signal deeper problems such as moisture buildup, foundation cracks, or overgrown vegetation near the structure. When left unchecked, they can multiply quickly and become a persistent annoyance, especially if they find ideal conditions to nest and reproduce.

The Problem with Earwig Infestations

One of the biggest difficulties in dealing with earwigs is how easily they slip into living spaces without drawing attention. These insects are experts at finding damp, dark hiding spots inside a home, often settling behind furniture, beneath appliances, inside wall voids, or around plumbing fixtures. Their preference for undisturbed, moist environments allows them to multiply quietly, sometimes going unnoticed until their presence becomes frequent or overwhelming. By the time you begin spotting them regularly in bathrooms, basements, or kitchens, the infestation may already be well established.

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Over-the-counter repellents or natural remedies might seem like a quick fix, but they rarely solve the underlying issue. These solutions tend to target only the insects that are visible, without reaching the cracks, crevices, or entry points where the real problem starts. In some cases, misuse of commercial products can increase exposure to harmful substances, especially for children and pets, while doing little to reduce the population. To truly get rid of earwigs and keep them from returning, it’s important to work with trained professionals who can identify where the insects are nesting and apply targeted treatments that are both safe and effective.

Our Approach to Earwig Control

Treating an earwig infestation requires more than just basic cleaning or a few store-bought traps. These insects are experts at hiding in dark, damp spaces and can remain undetected for extended periods. Due to their ability to conceal themselves and their persistence, only professional intervention guarantees effective eradication.

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Our experienced technicians carry out a comprehensive inspection of your space to identify the areas where earwig activity is most concentrated. Whether they are hiding in cracks, behind furniture, within stored items, or in hard-to-reach areas, we locate their hiding places and assess the conditions that contribute to their presence, such as excess moisture, poor ventilation, or organic debris.

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Once the full extent of the infestation is identified, we apply targeted, professional treatments designed to reach areas that are difficult to access. These solutions are carefully chosen for their effectiveness while ensuring the safety of your home. Our goal is not just to reduce the visible earwig population but to eliminate the root of the problem entirely and prevent any future infestations. With our expertise, you will have a home free of earwigs and can continue your daily life with confidence.