Where Do Pincher Bugs Come From - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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What Are Pincher Bugs?

The title “Pincher Bug” is a colloquial nickname given to the insect due to its frightening biology. Each pincher bug features a large pair of forceps-like cerci at the base of the abdomen.

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Scientifically, Pincher Bugs are called Earwigs; these insects make up the order Dermaptera, meaning “skin wings.” Yes, Earwigs possess wings-and yes, they can fly.

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However, pincher bugs generally choose to stay grounded. While most Earwigs sport a pair of large, ornate, foldable wings, they’re incredibly clumsy fliers. If you ever spot one gliding, it’s likely only doing so to migrate back to the ground after inadvertently stumbling too far up a tree or building.

Fortunately, many earwigs are nocturnal, so you’ll rarely spot one, even if it is in your yard.

You can easily identify a pincher bug by its slender 5 to 25-mm long body, long antennae, six legs, and unmistakable cerci. For this reason, spotting a pincher bug can cause alarm, but should it be?

Signs of a Pincher Bug Infestation

Due to their moderate size and threatening appearance, the sight of a few pincher bugs in your home may cause hysteria among the family.

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Luckily, Pincher Bug infestations are considerably rare.

Pincher Bugs are not social, unlike bees or termites who reside in a colony. In fact, they travel individually, preferring to hide in cracks, crevices, or outdoors in damp soil rich with vegetation.

When Do Pincher Bugs Come Around?

Pincher Bug season begins approximately late Spring or early Summer. During this time, they’re typically most active, navigating through gardens and moist soil in search of fresh vegetation. However, once the cold Winter months settle in, the insect’s populations dwindle, and the remaining individuals migrate underground.

Are Pincher Bugs Dangerous?

While Pincher Bugs may look menacing, they’re entirely harmless to humans. So in the rare event that you find yourself on the receiving end of a pinch, you’ll likely feel nothing more than a slight, painless pressure.

Thankfully, earwigs are completely non-venomous since their pincers don’t produce toxins and rarely break the skin. Besides their cerci, Pincher Bugs can also secrete a foul-smelling liquid from their abdomens when threatened; however, this is yet another harmless defense mechanism.