Can earwigs harm humans?

Question

Our backyard shade tree was doing poorly due to earwigs, according to the guy at the hardware store. He told us what to get to spray the tree but my kids play around the tree all the time. Could we have brought them in the house? will they do anything to us?

Answer 1

They're harmless to humans. They like damp spots & eat decaying matter. Just sweep them up & get rid of them. Roll up a damp newspaper & when they hid in it, thrown it out.

Harvard's website recommends using sticky traps which "will not only capture earwigs but will strongly indicate population levels and potential routes of access. Experience shows that traps placed at floor level in moist areas do best. Traps should be kept fresh because it takes a good sticky trap to hold earwigs."
http://www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/pest_earwig.shtml

You can also make a trap by putting 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a shallow container.

Earwigs can get in the house through cracks, so try to seal cracks that they can craw through. Try to reduce moisture & keep soil dry around the foundation of the house & remove rotting material (like leaves), which they love to eat.
Sharp, scratchy material (like Lava
rock & Diatomaceous Earth) around the foundation would also prevent them from coming in.
http://www.eap.mcgill.ca/Publications/eap4.htm

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

It is myth that earwigs can get into the ear canal of humans and harm them.

Answer 3

They are scary as heck, but pretty much harmless. Can't stand 'em. They can pinch a little bit if you them or something but it probably won't break the skin. It's the freak out factor that will hurt you.

Don't let people tell you the will crawl in your brain and lay eggs.I don't think so. I mean really.