Occasional Invaders
Earwig
Reddish-brown insects with pincers at the tail end. Common in gardens and damp areas, and often found under mats, in basements and in bathrooms.
Quick facts
- Size
- 12–19 mm
- Colour
- Reddish-brown
- Active season
- Summer to fall
- Where found
- Gardens, mulch, under mats, damp basements
How to Identify
- Long, flat body
- Pincers at the end of the abdomen
- Short, leathery wings
Signs to Look For
- Earwigs under doormats, pots and mulch
- Ragged holes in flowers and leafy plants
- Earwigs indoors near doors and in basements
Why It Matters
- Harmless to people — pincers can pinch but rarely break skin
- Damage flowers, seedlings and soft fruit
- Large numbers indoors are a nuisance
Prevention Tips
- Keep mulch and leaf litter away from the foundation
- Fix leaks and reduce moisture
- Seal gaps around doors and basement windows
More Occasional Invaders
Related Pests
Low risk
Boxelder Bug
Black-and-red bugs that gather by the hundreds on sunny walls in fall and try to spend the winter inside homes.
View pest
Low risk
Centipede
Fast-moving, many-legged hunters that live in damp basements and bathrooms.
View pest
Low risk
Millipede
Slow-moving, worm-like creatures with many legs that live in damp soil and leaf litter, and wander indoors after heavy rain.
View pest
Low risk
Silverfish
Wingless, silvery insects that move like fish and feed on starches — paper, glue, books and fabrics.
View pest