Why Are The Earwigs So Bad This Year

Have you noticed that this year feels a little like a sci-fi movie every time you step into your garden or kitchen? You’re not alone. Earwigs are everywhere, and they seem to be staging a tiny, creepy invasion. It’s not your imagination—this year is especially bad for these little pincer-wielding guests.

The Great Earwig Boom

Why so many? It likely comes down to our weather. A mild winter and a damp, cool spring gave earwig eggs a perfect nursery. Think of it like a blockbuster movie sequel: all the conditions were in place for an outbreak.

You know that feeling when you lift a flowerpot or a piece of firewood and a dozen of them scatter? That’s the earwig rush hour you are experiencing. They love moisture and dark places, which is why your damp basement or that pile of mulch is suddenly a five-star hotel for them.

What’s the Big Deal?

Sure, they look intimidating with those rear pincers, but they aren’t out to get you. They mostly eat decaying plants and other small bugs. However, when numbers explode, they can nibble on your prized hostas or the petals of your roses overnight.

The real reason to care is simple: they don’t respect your personal space. You might find one crawling across your bathroom sink or, worse, tucked into a towel you just grabbed. That’s the moment you officially become an earwig detective.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Invader

Let me tell you about my neighbor, Steve. He found an earwig in his coffee mug last Tuesday. He didn’t scream—he just sighed and said, “It’s a earwig summer.” That’s the mood we’re all in: resigned but slightly annoyed.

Print Blog Post - Earwig, Friend or Foe? - Why the Earwig's Reputation

Another friend found a whole family inside her mailbox. She now opens it like it’s a trap. It’s become a funny, relatable shared experience, like complaining about the neighbor’s loud lawnmower or that one weird smell in the car.

How to Survive the Swarm

You can fight back without a hazmat suit. The easiest trick is to reduce moisture around your home. Fix that leaky faucet. Move woodpiles away from your door. Earwigs love a damp welcome mat, so shake it out regularly.

A simple, low-tech trap works wonders: take a rolled-up, damp newspaper and leave it in the garden overnight. In the morning, you’ll have dozens hiding inside it. Just shake them out far away from your house. It’s a tiny, harmless eviction you perform for your property.

Earwig Bite: What Should I Do if Bitten by an Earwig?

Why We Should Care

You should care not because they bite—they rarely do—but because they mess with your summer peace. You deserve to grab a gardening glove without a fright. You deserve to sip your coffee without an unexpected crunch.

Also, earwigs remind us that nature is never fully under control. It’s humbling. This year, they are the bosses of the garden, and we are just the renters. So yes, they are bad this year, but they are also a great story to tell at the dinner table.

So go ahead, do a quick check under your couch cushion. Laugh if you find one. It’s the season of the earwig, and we’re all living in it together. Just maybe check your shoe before putting it on.