Why earwigs are everywhere in Wisconsin this year

It's not just your house: there are more earwigs skittering around Wisconsin this year.

Earwigs generally don't receive a lot of attention in terms of research and monitoring, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly how many more of the small, flat bugs we're seeing this year, according to P.J. Liesch, director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab. But Liesch said he's been hearing from sources across the state about the surge in earwigs.

"It does seem to be perhaps one of the best earwig years that I've ever seen," said Liesch, who has been studying insects for nearly two decades.

Liesch said his sources have ranged from research colleagues to greenhouse workers to people in construction. Wisconsinites have also taken to social media to document their frustration over the bugs creeping into their homes and gardens .

Here's why there are more earwigs in Wisconsin this year and how you can take care of any infestations.

Why are there more earwigs in Wisconsin this year?

A mild winter combined with a rainy summer seems to have created the perfect storm for earwigs, according to Liesch.

Earwigs thrive in damp and humid conditions, while the colder winter weather usually kills them off. This year, Wisconsin saw its warmest-ever winter , followed by above-average rainfall all summer .

"We had a milder-than-usual winter, so that might have increased their winter survival, which could have given them a leg up going into the spring, where they bumped into some good conditions for them with the adequate moisture," Liesch said.

Peak earwig seasons tends to be the warm, summer months, he added, though people may bump into the bugs when temperatures first start to creep up in the spring and when the summer heat lingers into the fall.

Are earwigs harmful to humans?

Despite the myth that earwigs can crawl into human ears — which landed them the unlucky name — the bugs pose no threat to humans, Liesch said.

Earwigs do have pincher-like structures that they might use defensively if you grab them, he said, but the pinchers are so small and weak on the typically inch-long bug that you'll barely feel the pinch.

"Really, their first defense if you were to disturb them is to try and scurry away," Liesch said.

Where might you find earwigs in the house?

Though earwigs won't harm you, they can damage your landscaping. The bugs are omnivores and will often chew small holes into garden plants, particularly lower-growing plants with dense canopy, according to Liesch.

"On the flip side, being omnivores, they can also be beneficial in some regards," he added. "They can attack and feed on insects, perhaps small caterpillars and things like that."

Earwigs are outdoor insects, preferring to shelter in outdoor nooks and crannies that are moist and dark, Liesch said. However, you might also run into the pests indoors, particularly near doors, windows or garages. Liesch said he's even seen them in huddling up in folds of his barbecue cover.

"They might accidentally get into homes through a patio door or a crack or crevice that doesn't seal up well, but they can't survive indoors," he said.

How to get rid of earwigs

Liesch said if he comes across earwigs in the home, he usually just picks them up and tosses them outside. But if you're looking for some more permanent solutions, he offered the following tips:

• If you're seeing lots of earwigs indoors, check the exteriors of your home for gaps and holes that the bugs may be crawling in through. Seal these areas with caulk, insulation foam or whichever material works best for your home.
• Earwigs like rich and moist environments, so if you have a mulch bed or dense plant bed right by your door, they may be gathering there. For a long-term solution, you can move these plant beds a few feet further from entryways to avoid stray earwigs coming indoors.
• If you want to get earwigs out of your gardens, you can fashion a trap for them by creating a dark, moist spot for them to gather. An old newspaper, board or shingle on the ground will do the trick, Liesch said, and you can flip over the trap to either squish or spray the bugs with soapy water to kill them.

More slugs and roly poly bugs in Wisconsin this year

Earwigs aren't the only bugs that are seeing a resurgence amid Wisconsin's rainy summer. Liesch said he's also heard reports of more slugs and roly polys, or pill bugs, crawling around the state this year.

Like earwigs, both bugs enjoy dark, moist environments, so Liesch recommended similar tips for managing these pests.

More: Are mosquitoes worse in Wisconsin this year?

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why earwigs are everywhere in Wisconsin this year