{"id":14641,"date":"2025-11-15T05:12:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T05:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spiderzoon.com\/insects\/?p=14641"},"modified":"2025-11-15T05:12:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T05:12:32","slug":"what-do-earwigs-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spiderzoon.com\/insects\/what-do-earwigs-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Earwigs Eat? Complete Guide to Their Diet Indoors, Outdoors, and in the Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Earwigs are one of the most misunderstood insects, known for their intimidating pincers and the myths surrounding their behavior. While they look like miniature predators, earwigs are surprisingly versatile feeders. They can be both helpful and harmful depending on where they\u2019re found. In the garden, they may eat damaging pests like aphids, but they might also nibble on tender plant leaves or flowers. Indoors, they are usually accidental visitors, searching for moisture rather than food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding what earwigs eat\u2014both inside the home and outdoors\u2014can help you manage their presence, protect your plants, and appreciate their complex role in natural ecosystems. This guide explores their diet in detail, explains how they forage, and covers the plants they prefer and avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Earwigs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Understanding<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basic Earwig Biology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earwigs belong to the insect order Dermaptera<\/em> and are characterized by elongated bodies, antennae, and distinctive curved pincers called cerci. Despite their fierce appearance, earwigs are not aggressive toward humans. Their feeding habits are shaped by their biology: they are nocturnal, opportunistic, and drawn to environments rich in moisture and decaying material. Because they are active at night and hide during the day, much of their feeding goes unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Earwigs Around the World<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Different regions have different dominant species of earwigs. The European earwig<\/strong> is the most commonly encountered species in households, while the ring-legged earwig<\/strong> and several native species are more common in gardens and forests. In Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, earwig species vary slightly in appearance but share very similar diets. Black earwigs, often found in damp outdoor areas, also fit the same general feeding profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Earwigs Eat? (General Diet Overview)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Earwigs as Omnivores<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earwigs are true omnivores<\/strong>, meaning they eat almost anything they can access. In natural environments, they feed on a mix of plant and animal matter. They may consume living or decaying vegetation, other insects, fungi, algae, and organic debris. Their flexible diet helps them survive in a wide range of habitats and climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are particularly drawn to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Soft, decaying plant matter
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Moldy leaves and wood
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dead insects
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Newly sprouted seedlings
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Moisture-rich organic materials
    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Because they are scavengers, they often help break down organic waste, contributing to soil health and nutrient recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Earwigs Drink<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Earwigs rely heavily on moisture to survive. They do not drink from open water sources the way mammals do; instead, they absorb moisture from damp soil, condensation, or wet organic matter. This is why they are often found in bathrooms, basements, under mulch, or in wet garden beds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Without sufficient moisture, earwigs dry out quickly and die. This dependency greatly influences where they live and what they eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Earwigs Eat in the House<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Why Earwigs Come Indoors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Earwigs rarely enter homes for food. Instead, they come inside because they are attracted to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Damp basements
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Bathrooms
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Laundry rooms
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Under-sink cabinets
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Wet cardboard or paper
      <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Homes provide shelter and moisture, not meals. Most indoor encounters happen after heavy rain or when outdoor conditions become too dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Foods Earwigs Consume Indoors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Although earwigs are capable of eating a wide variety of materials, their indoor diet is limited. Inside the home, earwigs may feed on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Small crumbs or soft food remnants
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Dead insects already in the home
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Damp paper or cardboard
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mold or mildew growing in moist corners
        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        They do not<\/strong> typically chew through food packaging or infest pantries, unlike ants or cockroaches. Earwigs may wander across surfaces, but they rarely cause any significant indoor food damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What Earwigs Eat in the Garden<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Earwigs as Garden Predators<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        In the garden, earwigs act as natural pest controllers. They frequently eat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Aphids
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Spider mites
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Soft-bodied larvae
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Small caterpillars
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Young slugs
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Fly eggs and dead insects
          <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          This makes them helpful allies when pest populations get out of control. Gardeners often see healthier plants in areas where earwigs are balancing out pest species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Plants Earwigs Commonly Eat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Earwigs are not strict herbivores, but they will feed on plants\u2014especially soft or tender vegetation. Gardens with lush, moist leaves attract them most. Earwigs may feed on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Lettuce
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Basil
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Corn silk
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Strawberries
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Dahlias
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Marigolds
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Zinnias
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Newly sprouted seedlings
            <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Their feeding leaves irregular holes in leaves and petals, often mistaken for slug damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Plants Earwigs Do NOT Eat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Fortunately, there are many plants that earwigs avoid. They tend to dislike:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Strongly aromatic herbs (rosemary, lavender, thyme)
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Plants with thick or waxy leaves
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Woody shrubs
              <\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Most mature vegetable plants
              <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Gardeners can use these plants strategically as natural deterrents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              When Earwigs Attack Plants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Although earwigs provide natural pest control, they can become problematic when their population grows large or when food sources become scarce. During dry periods or when insect prey is limited, earwigs may turn to tender plants as an easy food source. They prefer to feed at night<\/strong>, which can make it difficult to spot the culprit. By morning, you may notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Ragged or irregular holes in leaves
                <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Damaged petals on flowers
                <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Nibbled seedlings
                <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Scratches or scrapes on soft stems
                <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                Because slugs and snails cause similar damage, the only reliable way to confirm earwigs is nighttime inspection or placing traps to monitor activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                What Bugs and Insects Earwigs Eat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                Carnivorous Behavior<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                Earwigs are opportunistic hunters, especially at night. They will eat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Aphids clustered on stems
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Small spiders
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Moth larvae
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Fruit flies and gnats
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Beetle larvae
                  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Dead or injured insects
                  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  They are not fast predators like wolf spiders, but they are persistent scavengers. When insect populations rise\u2014especially aphids\u2014earwigs help control outbreaks naturally. This makes them valuable allies in the garden when populations remain balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Earwigs as Natural Pest Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  In compost piles, mulch beds, and garden soil, earwigs help break down waste and keep insect pests in check. They feed on decaying plant matter and organisms that thrive in moisture, aiding in soil enrichment. Many gardeners prefer to manage earwigs rather than eliminate them entirely because their presence supports a healthier ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  What Baby Earwigs and Larvae Eat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  Maternal Feeding Behavior<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  One of the most fascinating aspects of earwig biology is their maternal care\u2014rare among insects. Female earwigs guard their eggs and clean them to prevent mold. Once the eggs hatch, the mother continues caring for her young by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n