There’s nothing worse than stepping out of the shower and grabbing your towel only to see a creepy little bug scuttling along the skirting board.
Slender, dark, and with a pair of pincers at the tip of its body, the earwig has a habit of showing up at inopportune moments — especially in bathrooms.

Here at Pestpatrol, we get more than a few calls from panicked Londoners convinced they’ve stumbled on some exotic tropical invader lurking in their sink. While earwigs may look like they’re from a horror movie, the fact that they’re in your bathroom is more about dampness than drama.

This guide will explain why these nocturnal crawlers are so fixated on your bathroom, what’s really enticing them there, and what you can do to send them on their way.

What Exactly is an Earwig?

Let’s begin with the basics.
Earwigs, or Forficula auricularia (the scientific name) are small insects (1 to 2 centimeters are typical in size) with elongated bodies and distinctive forceps (or pincers) at their rear.
The popular urban legend that earwigs crawl into people’s ears while they sleep is an exaggeration of their high-speed movement; it is silly folklore.

In fact, earwigs are scavengers.
Although they feed on decomposing organic matter, mould, and even other insects, they are not harmful to people. But just because they’re not dangerous does not mean they have to be your guests.
Especially not in your home.

Why Your Bathroom is a Five-Star Hotel for Earwigs

Your bathroom checks off every single box on a typical earwig’s wishlist.

Here’s why they’re so drawn to it:

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture

Earwigs prefer a moist place to live.
These pests are very sensitive to dehydration and are always looking for humid, moist areas. Bathrooms are often poorly veiled and have a moisture level right where earwigs would thrive.

Anything in your bathroom that leaks; a tap that drips, a pipe that leaks, a puddle left behind after you shower is like ringing the dinner bell for earwigs.
Once they locate a bathroom, they will seldom leave until it’s dry, unless of course it’s a busy home, that’ll take a while.

Shelter and Hiding Places

Earwigs are shy, nocturnal insects that go unnoticed until their habitat is disturbed. They prefer to hide during the day in a cool, damp, and dark place uninterrupted.

Bathrooms have plenty of spots for hiding:

under the bath panel, behind the toilet, beneath the sink, or in old shampoo bottles tucked and hidden in the corner of the shower.

Tiles, floorboards, gaps, or cracks in the grout all provide earwigs a place to fit. Add morsels of mould or grime to the equation, and you’ve given the pests, not the ideal, but nonetheless an excellent living space.

Easy Access from Outside

That somewhat magical appearing of earwigs creeping in your bathroom is not as surprising as you think; no doubt the earwigs you encounter indoors are coming from the outside.

If you see earwigs casually wandering around, they’re likely creeping into your bathroom from outside. They may be coming from underneath or between gaps in the door, through holes in brickwork, or around poorly sealed pipes and vents.

When they arrive though, all they care for is the warm moist air emanating from your bathroom; they seldom stray far from what they find.

Is an Earwig Infestation Unsafe?

From a health perspective, no, earwigs do not bite, sting, or carry any diseases. But ultimately their presence is disquieting, primarily from a comfort and hygiene perspective.

More importantly, if you are finding earwigs in greater numbers, it may indicate that there are bigger issues with moisture in the property, particularly if you’re also experiencing persistent headaches with other disgusting pests, such as silverfish, woodlice, or even mould.

Many older London properties seem to have chronic issues with dampness in their bathrooms, a problem, that as a landlord or tenant, you should not ignore.

Signs You Have an Earwig Issue

Finding one earwig might just be sheer chance, but if you keep coming across them, you have a proper investigation to make.

What to look for:

• Reoccurrence in or around the bathroom, especially at night.
• You might find dead earwigs in your plug holes or window sills, meaning they are getting trapped and dying.
• There are moisture problems in your bathroom: foggy mirrors that never clear, peeling paints, musty smells, etc.
• You might find droppings or shed skins in places that cannot be easily accessed, but these evidence are more difficult to come across with no close investigation.

If you are unsure, you can contact Pestpatrol, who offer pest inspections across all of London as pest experts who can confirm what you are dealing with.

How to Stop Them Coming Back

If you are ready to reclaim your bathroom, then focus on the following:

Fix the Moisture

This should be your starting point.
You can spray, trap, and clean everything you want, but as long as the bathroom remains damp, earwigs will remain.

• Fix drippy pipes or taps straight away
• Use a dehumidifier or install an extractor fan, if you don’t have one already
• Wipe wet surfaces after using the bath or shower
• Leave bathroom windows open when you can to encourage airflow

Seal Entry Points

Stop them getting through:

• Seal any cracks in walls, crack in tile grout, skirting boards etc.
• Put sweeps or weather stripping on outside doors
• Check where the pipes go into the bathroom and fill any gaps with sealants

Declutter and Deep Clean

The less hiding places, the better.

• Dispose of any old bottles, boxes or clutter from under the sink or around the bath
• Clean behind fixtures or under furniture
• Keep the floors dry and mop regularly

Use Natural Deterrents

If you are not comfortable with using chemicals, there are some natural solutions that may help:

• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the skirting boards (harmless to humans, deadly to insects)
• Use essential oils like eucalyptus or tea tree as a natural repellent – simply mix a few drops in a bottle with water

Bear in mind these are deterrents; not guaranteed solutions.

When to Call the Professionals

If you have done everything above and you still have earwigs appearing, it’s time to call Pestpatrol. What looks like a small problem in your bathroom may likely be part of a wider infestation throughout your property, or symptoms indicating a broader moisture problem.

Our pest control technicians are spread out across London and trained to see the signs of pest activity quickly and very accurately. We will deal with the earwig problem but will also show you how to prevent it getting back in.

If you need help right away, go to our Earwigs Pest Control page, or call Pestpatrol.

We are happy to help.

In Conclusion: Don’t Let Damp be the Invite to Creepy Crawlers

A bathroom should be a place to relax, not where you side-eye the corners before you brush your teeth.
Earwigs may not be harmful, but a sign that something is not quite right, usually to do with moisture.

• Fix the damp.
• Seal the holes.
• Keep it clean and if they still keep coming back, you know where to find us.

Pestpatrol. Local, quick service who will show your uninvited guests the door.