Earwigs Coming in Under the Doors: A Palmdale Homeowner's Guide

    By Desert Grizzly Pest Control · Reviewed by George Barahona, owner · Last updated: October 19, 2026

    You flip on the bathroom light in the morning and there's a reddish-brown bug with pincers on its back end, sitting by the tub. Or you find two of them on the mat inside the back slider. Earwigs ("pincher bugs") are one of the most common surprise visitors in Palmdale homes, and they usually come in the same way: under a door, near a spot that stays damp.

    This guide covers why earwigs come inside, how to find their way in, what actually keeps them out, and how to reach George if you'd like help. It's written with central and east Palmdale (93550) in mind, where many yards mix desert soil with watered flower beds, but it applies anywhere in the Antelope Valley.

    Why Earwigs End Up Inside

    The University of California's Integrated Pest Management program (UC IPM: Earwigs) explains that earwigs are moisture-loving insects. They wouldn't normally thrive in California's dry climate without the shade and water that irrigated yards give them.

    That's the high desert story in one sentence. The open desert around Palmdale is dry, but a drip line, a lawn, a mulched planter or a leaky hose bib near the house creates a cool, damp pocket right next to your doors.

    UC IPM also notes:

    • Earwigs feed at night and hide during the day in dark, cool, moist places, like under boards, mulch, leaves and dense ground cover.
    • They may come indoors when conditions outside get too dry, too hot or too cold. In the Antelope Valley, the swing into chilly fall nights is a common time to notice them.
    • Indoors, there's little for them to eat, so they eventually die. Seeing a few doesn't mean they're breeding in your house.

    What an Earwig Is (and Isn't)

    UC IPM describes the adult as about 3/4 inch long and reddish brown, with a pair of forceps-like pincers at the tail end. The pincers are curved on males and straighter on females. Young earwigs look like small adults without wings.

    Despite the look, UC IPM says earwigs generally don't attack people and aren't a health hazard. They can pinch if they get trapped in clothing or you sit on one, but large numbers are mainly an annoyance.

    Southern California also has the striped earwig, which UC IPM says is attracted to lights and has a very unpleasant smell when crushed. If the ones by your porch light smell bad when you step on them, that may be what you have.

    Find Where They're Getting In

    Earwigs are flat and slip through small gaps. Take a flashlight out after dark, when they're active, and check:

    • The bottom of exterior doors, especially the back door and sliders that face a watered yard
    • The door sweep and threshold. Look for daylight or a worn, torn sweep.
    • Garage-to-house doors, if the garage floor gets damp from a water heater or washer
    • Gaps where pipes and lines enter, like the hose bib, A/C line and dryer vent
    • Cracks along the foundation right behind planters and mulched beds
    • Under doormats and potted plants set right against the door. Lift them and see what runs.

    UC IPM's advice for earwigs indoors is simple: sweep or vacuum them up, then seal the cracks and entry points they're using.

    Fix the Moisture Outside the Door

    Sealing helps, but the bigger win is making the area outside your doors less inviting. These steps come from UC IPM's guidance for earwigs around buildings:

    1. Pull mulch and leaves back from the foundation. UC IPM lists bark mulch, leaf litter, ground cover and ivy against walls as earwig shelter.
    2. Clean the gutters. Leaves in gutters are on UC IPM's list of hiding spots.
    3. Move water away from the house. Repair drain spouts, fix leaky hose bibs and drip emitters near doors, and make sure the ground slopes away from the walls.
    4. Use drip irrigation where you can and avoid soaking the beds right next to the doors.
    5. Clear boards, boxes, flowerpots and piles stacked against the house. Woodpiles near the walls count too.
    6. Swap white porch bulbs for yellow ones. UC IPM says yellow or sodium vapor lights are less attractive to earwigs.
    7. Trap the ones outside. UC IPM suggests a rolled-up damp newspaper or a short piece of hose set on the soil near plants at dusk. Shake the earwigs into soapy water in the morning, and repeat daily until you stop catching them.

    If you're also hearing chirping at night as it cools down, many of the same steps keep crickets out. See our guide to crickets in the house. And if you're clearing clutter against a block wall, wear gloves; our black widow guide explains why.

    Why Indoor Spraying Isn't the Answer

    UC IPM says plainly that insecticide treatments indoors aren't recommended for earwigs, because they do little to stop new ones from coming in. The fix is outside: less moisture, fewer hiding spots, and tighter doors. UC IPM also notes earwigs can be helpful in the garden because they eat aphids, so the goal is keeping them out of the house, not wiping out every one in the yard.

    How Desert Grizzly Helps: $60 Flat

    If earwigs keep showing up after you've cleaned up and sealed the doors, call George and tell him what you're seeing. Earwigs are covered by our $60 general pest control. It's $60 flat whether you choose monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or one-time. There's no bait-and-switch, and you get the same full treatment every visit.

    • The owner picks up. George answers the phone and does the work himself.
    • Weekend morning appointments are available.
    • No extra trip charge for outlying Antelope Valley towns.

    We serve Palmdale (93550, 93551, 93552), Lancaster and Quartz Hill (93534, 93535, 93536), plus Littlerock, Lake Los Angeles and the rest of the Antelope Valley. See our Palmdale pest control page for more.

    Earwig FAQs

    Are earwigs dangerous? No. UC IPM says they generally don't attack people and aren't a health hazard, though they can pinch if trapped in clothing (UC IPM).

    Why do I keep finding them in the bathroom? Earwigs look for cool, damp, dark places. A bathroom or laundry area near an exterior door is an easy stop. Check the nearest door sweep and the moisture outside that wall.

    Will spraying inside get rid of them? UC IPM doesn't recommend it, since indoor sprays do little to prevent new earwigs from coming in. Seal entry points and reduce moisture and mulch outside.

    Are they breeding in my house? Usually not. UC IPM says earwigs eventually die indoors because there's little for them to eat.

    Call George: 661-990-PEST (7378)

    Earwigs coming in under your doors? Call 661-990-PEST (7378) and talk to George directly.

    • General pest control (includes earwigs): $60 flat (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or one-time)
    • German roach treatment: $200 for 3 visits
    • Rodent stations: $160 setup plus $20/month
    • Mosquito treatment: $125
    • Service ZIPs: 93550, 93551, 93552 (Palmdale) · 93534, 93535, 93536 (Lancaster and Quartz Hill)
    • Also serving, no extra trip charge: Mojave, California City, Lake Los Angeles, Littlerock, Antelope Acres, Neenach
    • Weekend morning appointments available

    Desert Grizzly Pest Control · 2040 W Ave J13 #3, Lancaster, CA 93536 California Structural Pest Control Board Company Registration PR 10146

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