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What Are Those Pincher Bugs in My Chesapeake Garden?

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:03:36 GMT

Earwigs are the insects with the curved, pincer-like appendages at their tail end, the ones that show up in mulch, under stepping stones, and in damp garden beds every summer. They look alarming but are mostly harmless to people. In Hampton Roads, warm temperatures and moist garden conditions make June and July their most active months. Here is what they are, why your yard attracts them, and what to do when they start coming inside.

What Earwigs Actually Are

If you've pulled back a piece of mulch or lifted a flower pot this summer and found a cluster of brown, elongated insects with pincers at the back, you've found earwigs. The pincers are dramatic enough that most people assume they're dangerous. They're not. Earwigs rarely pinch humans and the grip is weak when they do. But they do show up in large numbers when conditions are right, and they can cause real damage to garden plants and move indoors when outdoor conditions dry out.

Understanding what draws them in makes it a lot easier to manage them.

The Pincers Are for Defense, Not Attack

Earwigs are small, reddish-brown insects, typically half an inch to an inch long, with a flattened body and two curved cerci (the pincers) at the abdomen, the rear segment of their body. The cerci are used for defense, for capturing prey, and in mating. They're not used to attack humans. If you pick one up and it pinches, the grip is generally too weak to break skin.

The name earwig comes from an old myth that they burrow into sleeping people's ears. They don't. Like many insects, they're attracted to dark, tight spaces, which is how the legend started. What they actually do is hide under anything flat and damp during the day and come out at night to feed.

Earwigs are omnivores. They eat decaying plant matter, mold, and organic debris, which makes them reasonably useful in a garden. But they also eat living plant tissue: soft leaves, seedlings, and flower petals. That’s where they become a problem. A large earwig population can shred low-growing plants and flowers overnight, leaving behind jagged, irregular holes in leaves with no obvious culprit during the day.

Why Hampton Roads Gardens Attract Them

Why Earwigs Love Hampton Roads in Summer

Earwigs need three things: moisture, dark hiding spots, and organic material to eat. Hampton Roads delivers all three in abundance during summer. High humidity keeps soil and mulch consistently moist, warm nights keep them active longer, and most home gardens provide the layered, mulched environment they prefer.

Thick mulch beds are a particular draw. A few inches of wood chip or pine bark mulch holds moisture underneath, stays dark, and provides the snug, compressed spaces earwigs use for daytime shelter. The same goes for leaf litter, stacked firewood, ground cover plants, dense ivy, and anything lying flat on damp soil: stepping stones, garden edging, tarps, and overturned pots are all earwig habitats.

The problem tends to peak in June and July, when outdoor earwig populations are at their largest and the combination of heat and drought stress starts pushing them toward irrigated garden beds and, eventually, inside the home. Any gap around a door threshold, a crack in the foundation, or an open ground-floor window can become an entry point once they're concentrated near your home.

When Earwigs Become a Problem

Garden Damage and Indoor Sightings Are the Main Signals

A few earwigs in the garden aren't a concern. They're part of the natural decomposer community and they eat aphids and other soft-bodied insects that cause more damage. The problem starts when populations build to the point where plant damage is visible or they start showing up regularly inside the house.

Signs worth paying attention to:

Ragged, irregular holes in soft leaves, flower petals, or seedlings, especially on low-growing plants, with no sign of the culprit during the day
Clusters of earwigs under mulch, rocks, pots, or boards when you disturb them
Finding earwigs in the house, especially in bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements near exterior walls
Damage to ripening fruits or soft vegetables in the garden, particularly strawberries and sweet corn

Indoor sightings almost always trace back to an outdoor population that's concentrated near the foundation. The earwigs themselves don't establish colonies inside. They come in looking for moisture and shelter, usually through gaps at ground level.

How to Reduce Earwig Populations

Disrupt the Habitat Before Reaching for a Spray

Earwig control works best when you make the yard less hospitable first. Spraying a large outdoor population without changing conditions will reduce numbers temporarily but won't hold long-term.

Start with habitat reduction:

Pull mulch back from the foundation. Keep it at least six inches away from the base of the house
Remove or relocate anything lying flat on damp soil near the house: boards, stones, tarps, or pots
Let the top inch of mulch in garden beds dry out between waterings. Earwigs retreat from dry surfaces
Water in the morning rather than the evening so soil surfaces dry out before nightfall
Seal gaps around door thresholds and any cracks in the foundation at or below grade

For direct population control, diatomaceous earth applied around the base of the house and at garden bed edges is effective against earwigs that cross it. Bait products containing spinosad work well in heavy garden infestations and are low-impact on beneficial insects when used as directed.

Traps also work. A shallow container with a small amount of vegetable oil set out at night will collect earwigs. It won't eliminate a large population but it will tell you how active they are and reduce pressure on specific plants.

When to Call a Professional

Large Populations Near the Foundation Benefit from Targeted Treatment

Most earwig problems respond well to habitat changes and targeted DIY treatment. But if you're finding them in multiple rooms of the house, if garden damage is severe across a large area, or if the population near the foundation seems too large to manage with surface products, professional treatment can reach the spots where earwigs hide that over-the-counter sprays don't.

Our pest control service includes a treatment along the outside edges of your home that targets the spots where earwigs hide near the foundation and helps prevent the indoor migration that tends to happen once outdoor populations peak. If you're dealing with both garden damage and indoor sightings, it's usually worth addressing both at the same time.

Call us at (757) 420-4800 to schedule a visit. We serve homeowners throughout:

What to Do If You See Termite Swarmers: A Hampton Roads Homeowner Guide

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:57:35 GMT

Termite swarmers are winged reproductive termites that emerge in late spring and early summer to start new colonies. Seeing them near your home, or finding piles of discarded wings, means a mature termite colony is active nearby. Here is what that means, how to tell swarmers from flying ants, and what to do next.

What Termite Swarmers Actually Are

If you noticed a swarm of winged insects around a window or doorframe recently, or found a pile of discarded wings on the sill, there’s a good chance you’re looking at termite swarmers. It’s one of the most common calls we get from Hampton Roads homeowners every May and June, and it almost always comes with the same question: does this mean I have termites?

Not necessarily. But it does mean termites are active nearby, and that’s worth taking seriously.

They’re Not the Colony. They’re the Colony’s Expansion Plan

Swarmers are reproductive termites. Their job is to leave the original colony, mate, and start new colonies elsewhere. They don’t eat wood. They don’t cause structural damage on their own. What they represent, though, is that a mature termite colony exists somewhere in or near your home, one that’s been established long enough to produce reproductives.

Eastern subterranean termites, the species responsible for most termite damage in Virginia, typically swarm in spring and into early summer, usually on warm days after rain. In the Hampton Roads area, that window tends to run from late March through June. If you’re seeing swarmers right now, you’re seeing them at the peak of their season.

The swarm itself lasts only a short time, often less than an hour. Most swarmers don’t survive. But if a mated pair finds a suitable spot in or near your home, they can start a new colony that you won’t notice for years.

Swarmers vs. Flying Ants: How to Tell the Difference

The Wings Are the Fastest Tell

This question comes up constantly, and it’s worth knowing the answer before you panic, or before you dismiss something you shouldn’t.

Termite swarmers have two pairs of wings that are equal in length and extend well past the body. Flying ants have wings too, but the front pair is noticeably larger than the back pair. If the wings look symmetrical and long, you’re likely looking at termites.

A few other differences to check:

Waist: Termites have a thick, straight midsection. Flying ants have a pinched waist.
Antennae: Termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae bend at an elbow.
Color: Swarmers are usually dark brown or black.

If you’re not sure, collect a few of the insects or take a photo and hold onto the discarded wings. Any pest control professional can identify them in seconds.

What to Do If You Find Swarmers

Don’t Spray Them. Find Out Where They Came From

The instinct to reach for a can of spray is understandable, but it doesn’t help. Killing the swarmers themselves does nothing to address the colony, and it can actually make it harder to figure out what you’re dealing with.

The more useful thing to do is pay attention to where they’re coming from. Swarmers emerge from a specific exit point: a crack in the foundation, a gap along a baseboard, a windowsill, or a spot in the drywall. Knowing the location matters because it gives a professional a starting point.

Also check for:

Discarded wings in piles on floors, windowsills, or near doorframes (swarmers shed their wings immediately after mating)
Mud tubes along the foundation, crawl space walls, or exposed wood framing. These are the tunnels subterranean termites build to travel between soil and wood
Soft or hollow-sounding wood anywhere near where the swarm appeared
Bubbling or uneven paint on walls, which can indicate moisture from termite activity beneath

None of these signs definitively confirms active damage on their own, but two or three together are a strong indicator that something needs to be inspected.

Why This Time of Year Matters

Early Action Is the Difference Between Minor and Major Damage

Subterranean termites work slowly compared to drywood termites, a faster-moving species found more in the South, but they work constantly. A colony that goes undetected for three to five years can hollow out significant load-bearing wood (beams, joists, framing) before any visible surface damage appears. Homeowners in Hampton Roads sometimes discover the problem only when flooring starts to feel soft or a contractor opens a wall for another reason.

Swarmer season is actually one of the better times to catch a problem, because the colony is advertising itself. A visible swarm or a pile of wings is more than most homeowners ever get as a warning sign. Taking it seriously now, even if an inspection comes back clean, costs very little. Waiting and hoping costs much more if the inspection eventually finds what you were afraid to look for.

The tidewater climate doesn’t help. Hampton Roads summers are humid, and subterranean termites need moisture to survive. The combination of warm soil, persistent humidity, and the wood construction common in this area makes the region one of the higher-risk zones in Virginia for termite activity.

When to Call a Professional

If Swarmers Came From Inside the House, Don’t Wait

Swarmers outdoors in the yard, emerging from a tree stump or a wood pile, may indicate a colony that hasn’t yet reached your home. That’s still worth addressing, but the urgency is lower.

Swarmers emerging from inside the home (walls, floors, window frames, or near the foundation) almost always mean the colony is already in your home. That warrants a professional inspection as soon as you can schedule one.

Our termite control service includes a 30-point inspection that covers the foundation, crawl space, any visible wood beams or supports, and any other areas where subterranean activity is likely to hide. If we find evidence of activity, we’ll walk you through exactly what we found and what treatment looks like before anything is scheduled.

Call us at (757) 420-4800 to book an inspection. We serve homeowners throughout:

A-1 Inc. Exterminators | Summer Pest-Proofing Checklist for Chesapeake Homeowners

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:21:42 GMT

Summer pest-proofing means addressing the conditions around your home that give insects and rodents a reason to come inside before they find them on their own. In Hampton Roads, that window runs roughly from late May through September, when ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, earwigs, and other pests are at peak activity. Most of what keeps them out costs little and takes an afternoon. Here is where to focus.

Why Summer Is the High-Risk Window in Hampton Roads

Most pest problems that show up inside the home in summer don't start inside. They start with something outside: a gap in the foundation, a pile of mulch against the siding, standing water in the yard, or a door seal that's seen better days. By the time you're finding ants in the kitchen or cockroaches in the bathroom, the entry points have usually been open for a while.

A checklist approach works because pest pressure isn't random. Insects and rodents follow moisture, warmth, food, and shelter. Address those attractants systematically and you reduce the load on your home before it becomes a problem you're reacting to.

Heat and Humidity Create Ideal Conditions for Most Pests

Hampton Roads summers combine high temperatures with persistent humidity that accelerates insect reproduction, pushes outdoor populations to their seasonal peak, and drives moisture-dependent pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and earwigs toward the cooler, drier interior of the home.

Chesapeake's proximity to water, crawl space construction common in the area, and established tree canopy all create shelter and moisture pests use to reach the structure. The checklist below is organized around the places that matter most: outside, inside, and the crawl space.

Outside the Home

Start at the Foundation and Work Outward

The exterior of the home is where most summer pest pressure originates. A few hours spent on the outside of the home does more to reduce indoor pest activity than most treatments applied inside.

Work through these in order:

Pull mulch and soil back from the foundation. Keep a 6-inch gap between mulch and the base of the house to give ants, earwigs, and cockroaches fewer places to hide
Check and clear gutters. Clogged gutters hold standing water and push moisture against the fascia, which attracts carpenter ants and creates rot that rodents exploit
Eliminate standing water in the yard. Empty bird baths, plant saucers, and anything that collects rainwater weekly, since mosquitoes can complete a breeding cycle in less than a week
Trim shrubs and tree branches away from the roofline and siding. Overhanging branches are a highway for ants and squirrels onto the roof
Stack firewood at least 20 feet from the house and off the ground. Wood piles give cockroaches, earwigs, spiders, and rodents a place to nest
Seal gaps around utility penetrations. Where pipes, cables, and wires enter the structure are among the most common rodent and cockroach entry points
Check door sweeps and threshold seals on all exterior doors. A gap you can see light through is wide enough for most insects and small enough that many homeowners overlook it

Inside the Home

Focus on Moisture, Food Sources, and Ground-Level Entry Points

Most summer pests that make it inside are looking for one of three things: water, food, or a cooler place to shelter. The interior checklist targets all three.

Go through these room by room:

Fix any slow drips under sinks, around the base of the toilet, or near the dishwasher. Even minor moisture creates a draw for cockroaches and silverfish
Run bathroom exhaust fans during and after showers and check that they're actually venting outside, not into the attic or the space inside your walls
Store dry goods in sealed containers. Open bags of pet food, cereal, and pantry staples are one of the most reliable ways to establish an ant or cockroach problem
Check the seals around interior drain lines. Gaps where pipes pass through cabinet floors under sinks are a common cockroach entry route from the crawl space
Inspect window screens for tears and make sure they fit flush. A loose or torn screen on a ground-floor window is an open door during summer months
Check the garage door seal along the bottom. Rodents and insects use garage gaps to stage before entering the living area

The Crawl Space and Foundation

The Most Overlooked Part of the Summer Checklist

In Hampton Roads, the crawl space is where a lot of summer pest problems originate and where homeowners least often look. An unsealed or poorly ventilated crawl space holds moisture, gives pests places to hide and nest, and gives them direct access to the interior through gaps in the subfloor.

A few things worth checking now:

Look for standing water or persistently wet soil under the house after rain. If the crawl space doesn't drain well, you have a moisture problem that will keep attracting pests regardless of surface treatment
Check the crawl space vents. They should be open in summer to promote airflow, and the screens should be intact to prevent rodent entry
Inspect the vapor barrier if you have one. Tears or gaps in the plastic sheeting allow ground moisture to rise directly into the floor above you
Look for mud tubes along the foundation wall or pier blocks. Pencil-width tunnels of dried mud are the clearest sign of subterranean termite activity and warrant a professional inspection

If your crawl space has no moisture barrier and stays damp, that's worth addressing before summer gets into full swing. Crawl space moisture is the root cause of a range of summer pest problems, from termites and carpenter ants to cockroaches and rodents, and it's one of those conditions where fixing it once prevents recurring treatment calls.

When a Checklist Isn't Enough

Some Problems Need More Than Maintenance

A thorough exterior seal, reduced moisture, and removed hiding spots will handle a lot of summer pest pressure on their own. But if you're already seeing activity inside: ants trailing from an unknown source, cockroaches at night, or evidence of rodents. The problem has likely progressed past what a maintenance pass can resolve.

Our pest control service covers the full perimeter of the home and targets the pests most active in Hampton Roads during summer. If you've worked through this checklist and are still seeing activity, or if you'd rather have a professional assessment before the peak of the season, we're glad to take a look.

Call us at (757) 420-4800 to schedule. We serve homeowners throughout:

Chesapeake
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
Portsmouth
Suffolk