If you’ve ever spotted a small, dark insect with strange-looking pincers on its rear, you may have wondered what it was. There’s usually no reason to panic—it was likely an earwig, a common insect that prefers dark, damp places and generally avoids people. Those unusual pincers, called cerci, may look intimidating, but earwigs are not aggressive and typically pose little threat to humans.

Earwigs are mostly active at night and often hide beneath rugs, in bathrooms, basements, cardboard boxes, gardens, or piles of leaves. They may occasionally pinch if handled, but their pincers are not considered dangerous. Despite the creepy name and an old myth, earwigs do not crawl into people’s ears or intentionally seek them out.

These insects can sometimes make their way indoors while searching for moisture and shelter. They may enter through small cracks around doors, windows, foundations, or other openings. Earwigs are not poisonous, and finding one inside your home is generally more of a nuisance than a serious concern. Even if a curious pet happens to eat one, it is usually not considered a major problem.

To make your home less attractive to earwigs, try reducing excess moisture, repairing leaks, keeping areas clean, vacuuming regularly, and sealing cracks or gaps where insects might enter. Simple traps can also help when needed. Although an earwig’s appearance may seem unsettling at first, this unusual insect is generally much more creepy-looking than dangerous. Have you ever discovered one hiding inside your home?