Ikeep finding these insects in our mailbox. My daughter told me they are earwigs and can do a lot of damage in the garden. Are they dangerous to humans? How do I keep them out of my flower garden?

Your daughter is correct. These mailbox invaders are earwigs. The name comes from an old English term (ēarewicga) which means “ear insect” because they were thought to burrow into people’s ears as they slept at night.

Adult earwigs have elongated reddish-brown bodies, about one-half inch in length, and long antennae. They are most readily identified by the pair of pincers (called cerci or forceps) at their tail end. The pinchers are used to defend earwigs from predators, for mating, and to catch prey.

Earwigs are not dangerous to humans. They attack people only when threatened or handled rough

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