An earwig is an insect with two antennae, six legs, three body parts, and a formidable set of pincers on the end of its abdomen. It ranges from 5 to 25 millimeters in size, depending on the species.

Can an earwig hurt you?

Earwigs don’t bite people, but they can pinch. … While they aren’t likely to pinch you, and those pincers aren’t likely to break the skin, a pinch from an earwig can hurt. But, for the most part, you have nothing to fear from these insects. Earwigs are considered a nuisance pest.

What attracts earwigs in your house?

Earwigs are active at night and are attracted to bright outdoor lights, so they often enter homes around doors and windows, or foundation openings. Check that screens are tight, that garage doors have good seals, and that outside doors have weather stripping and thresholds.