Earwigs are peculiar insects that have long been associated with various spiritual meanings and omens. These small creatures, known for their distinctive pincers and nocturnal behavior, are often seen scurrying around dark corners and damp areas of homes. While many people may find earwigs intimidating or unpleasant, others believe that their presence holds deeper significance. In this article, we dive into the world of earwig symbolism and explore the spiritual meanings they may hold in your house.
1. Earwigs: Introduction and Identification
Earwigs are so-called due to the common belief that they crawl into your ears at night and burrow into your brain, living there until the end of days. Like many urban legends, this is completely untrue.
There are over 1,800 species of earwigs in the world, and only 30 or so of them live in the US. The most common earwig found in the US is the European earwig (Forficula auricularia).
These are small insects, usually growing to be about 5/8″ long. They are a dark reddish-brown color and have a long set of pincers on their abdomen, which are used for defense.
Earwigs are nocturnal creatures that hide during the day but become active after dark. During the winter months, they can often be found within homes.
2. The History and Cultural Significance of Earwigs
When we look at the symbolism of any creature, it is necessary to comprehend the significance of that creature to various cultures. While earwigs are common in the United States, they have a strong cultural background in Europe. Many cultures have myths surrounding the insect, which can provide insight into how certain animals were perceived by various civilizations.
Earwigs have been a recurring theme in Roman and German mythology. The Germanic people of the 8th century believed that a woman who had been unfaithful to her husband would be transformed into an earwig. Phoenicians regarded the earwig as a symbol of malice, while Aristotle thought it was a symbol of small retribution. In the Middle Ages, the earwig was known as the “witches’ shoemaker,” and it was associated with witches, death, and a negative impact on crops.
In England, there is a different story surrounding this insect. One story claims that earwigs are related to the superstition about St. Anthony, who was known for his travels and was considered a protector against infectious diseases, particularly ergotism. St. Anthony’s Fire is a fungus found on rye that can cause severe illness and death, and it was widely assumed that earwigs would climb into a person’s ear and cause this infection. Because of this, the idea of an earwig in the ear has been passed down through the generations.
3. Spiritual Meanings Associated with Earwigs
Throughout history, earwigs have been associated with several superstitions and spiritual beliefs. Many of these associations are rooted in folklore, and while they may not necessarily hold any scientific weight, they can still provide a fun and interesting way to interpret earwig sightings.
1. War & Battle
Earwigs have been considered omens of war and battle for centuries in various cultures, such as in ancient Rome and France. In most cases, they were viewed as harbingers of forthcoming war, rather than war itself.
There are several theories for where this belief originated. One suggestion is that it’s due to their pincers resembling the pinching action of a human finger, while another theory holds that it’s due to their association with the god Mars/Ares, who represents bloodshed and battle in Roman and Greek mythology.
Specifically in France, earwigs were considered to be bad luck if you mistreated them in any way. As a result, people believed they would call down war and bloodshed upon your household.
2. Death
Similarly to how people associated earwigs with war and battle, they were also associated with death. The reason wasn’t always spelled out clearly. In some superstitions, it was because earwigs were common in graveyards and would bring the dead back to life. In others, it was because earwigs were used as a punishment for the dead, while in yet others, it was simply their appearance that led to their association with death.
One Japanese superstition suggests that seeing an earwig in your house is a sign that someone close to you will die soon. In contrast, in China, if an earwig were to fall into your drink and you drank it quickly enough, you would be immune to death from falling objects for the entire year.
Whether it’s an association with war or bloodshed or death, most spiritual meanings of earwigs are negative, which makes sense given their unsavory appearance and scavenging habits. Usually, they’re not welcome sightings in the home.
4. Earwigs as Symbols of Protection and Good Luck
Though some consider earwigs to be pests, they are also commonly known to be symbols of protection and good luck. This is especially true in Germany, where earwigs are considered a positive omen. It was once believed that earwigs were guardians against evil spirits, providing protection to anyone or anything they came into contact with.
It was also believed that if you killed an earwig, you were essentially defying fate and bringing bad luck upon yourself and your household. This superstition is still believed today in some parts of Europe, particularly Germany and Italy. If an earwig was to crawl through your home, it was considered to be a good omen and a sign of protection from the divine.
Today, in some parts of the United States, you will still find people who believe that finding an earwig in your home is a lucky sign. They are known to bring good weather and are considered to be protectors of flowers, as they are not harmful to plants.
5. Earwigs as Omens of Change and Transformation
Every single one of us will go through periods of change in our lives, it’s inevitable. Though some people will fight these changes for the sake of their comfort zone, others will embrace it, and for some, the earwig is a symbol that should be noticed.
Spiritually, the earwig is a very grounded creature, and it is believed that it will cling to us as we go through significant change. It is thought to serve as a reminder to stay humble and grounded even when things seem to be changing beyond your control.
In this sense, the presence of the earwig in your life symbolizes a transformation or change that is very much necessary. However, it is also a reminder to stay humble through these changes and not let your head be turned by your own egotistical thoughts.
6. Earwigs as Messengers from the Spirit World
Earwigs can also bring spiritual messages from those who have passed on. In some cultures, the appearance of earwigs after a loved one has died can be taken as a sign that they have crossed over to the other side.
It is believed that the earwigs are carriers of these messages and that their presence, rather than being a sign of something bad, could signify that there are those who are watching and are with you in spirit.
While this might be a comforting thought to some, others might have a difficult time processing what they have lost or what has happened to them. It might be wise to seek out professional help if you have experienced a loss, and the appearance of earwigs has triggered an emotional response within you.
7. The Role of Earwigs in Folklore and Superstitions
Earwigs have had a close relationship with humans for thousands of years and can be found in folklore and superstitions around the world.
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The Chinese people have long feared the earwig, as they are known to crawl into people’s ears at night and lay their eggs. To prevent this from happening, the Chinese made small conical bamboo earplugs to wear while sleeping. |
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Another belief is that earwigs are attracted to the earwax in people’s ears, feeding on it and causing infections. However, this is entirely false, as earwigs are not parasitic by nature and do not feed on wax or cause infection. |
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Despite this, the common belief persists, and many people worldwide are still afraid of earwigs. |
The English name for earwigs is said to have been derived from the belief that the insect would enter the ears of sleeping humans. In Old English, these insects were called “earwicga,” where “ear” meant “ear” and “wicga” was a generic term for insects or small creatures.
There are also superstitions that suggest earwigs use their pincers to burrow into the ears of sleeping people and lay their eggs. This belief has been around since before Shakespeare’s time and can be found in his play Much Ado About Nothing.
Some cultures even believe that an earwig sighting is a sign of death or illness. For instance, Irish folklore calls them a harbinger of death and illness. The presence of an earwig in your home might lead to a strict cleaning regime for fear that an illness would befall the house.
But other cultures have far more positive beliefs. For instance, the Navajo people consider earwigs a corn crop pest and view them as protectors from witchcraft. They believe that if an earwig appears in your house, it means you are in good health.
In Italy, folklore tells of a type of elf called the “topo d’orecchi” (literally translated as “the mouse of the ears”) which enters people’s ears and causes headaches. Some believe that, rather than the earwig itself, it is actually the elf in disguise.
There are countless other superstitions regarding earwigs from around the world. Despite what you might believe, however, earwigs do not actually bite or eat human flesh. Although their pincers look menacing, they are used for defense and not for attacking humans. While they can pinch you if provoked, it is not a cause for concern.
8. How to Interpret the Presence of Earwigs in Your House
It won’t be that hard to interpret the presence of earwigs in your house, especially if you know the spiritual symbolism of this insect. For the most part, people disregard the idea that these creatures can be of importance. But, as you can see, there are multiple signs that you need to pay attention to if you want to see things from a different perspective.
You can start by asking yourself these questions:
- How did you feel when you noticed their presence?
- Did they come to you out of the blue?
- Did you notice them in a significant place in your house?
- Was there something more to their story?
Search for the answers within yourself or consult with a specialist if these creatures give you the heebie-jeebies. It’s essential to overcome this feeling before you can understand what they are trying to communicate with you. It’s the first step towards self-improvement and accepting everything that surrounds us, be it spider webs, ants, or earwigs.
9. Tips for Dealing with Earwig Infestations
Although earwigs aren’t dangerous, they are a nuisance. And when they congregate in and around your home in large numbers, their presence can become worrisome. Moreover, the damage they cause to your garden by eating your plants can be a sticking point for your yard.
If you suspect that you have an earwig infestation, you’ll want to take steps to get rid of them right away. Here are some tips for dealing with earwig infestations:
Remove Potential Nesting Sites
If you have an earwig problem, one of the first things you’ll want to do is remove potential nesting sites from in and around your home. Earwigs like damp, dark environments, so these are the areas you’ll want to target. Clean up any dead leaves and other plant debris that may be collecting around your home and in your yard, and trim back any overgrown vegetation that’s close to your house. It’s also a good idea to seal off any exterior gaps or cracks in the foundation, siding, or roofline that the earwigs could use to gain access to your home.
Set Traps
Trapping is one of the most effective ways to get rid of earwigs. Since they’re nocturnal, you’ll want to set traps at night in the areas where they congregate. You can use rolled-up newspapers or cardboard tubes (the kind that comes with a roll of paper towels or toilet paper) as traps. Place them in the pest-prone areas around your house and garden, such as basements, crawl spaces, under porches, and near bushes and flowerbeds. Fill the tubes with a little bit of bait, such as fish oil, vegetable oil, or bacon grease. Since earwigs are attracted to moisture, you can also try setting traps filled with water and fish oil or soapy water as a drowning trap.
Eliminate Moisture
As mentioned earlier, earwigs are attracted to moisture. To get rid of them, try to eliminate moist and damp areas from in and around your home. Repair any leaky pipes or faucets, clean out clogged gutters and downspouts, and make sure water is draining away from your home’s foundation. Removing standing water from birdbaths, fountains and puddles should also help reduce earwig populations outside.
Use Natural Predators
If you’re struggling with an earwig infestation in your garden, you might want to consider attracting some of their natural predators that can help keep their populations in check. Some beneficial insects that prey on earwigs include centipedes, ground beetles, spiders, parasitic wasps, and birds. You can encourage these predators to visit your garden by planting a variety of different-sized plants and flowers that provide shelter and food sources for them or provide them with alternate sources of food such as fruits and nectar-producing flowers or set up birdhouses or birdfeeders nearby.
Try Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural product made from the fossils of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. It’s commonly used as a nontoxic way to control pest insects such as ants, termites, bedbugs, cockroaches, fleas, and more. You can also try using diatomaceous earth to get rid of earwigs. To use it effectively, apply a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the exterior perimeter of your home and garden where you’ve seen the earwigs congregating. Make sure the ground is dry when you apply it because it won’t work when it’s wet.
Use Household Products
There are also some household products that are very effective at getting rid of earwigs. For example:
- Using a mixture of soapy water or ammonia in a spray bottle is an effective way to get rid of massive amounts of earwigs at once.
- Boric acid is another excellent household product that kills earwigs. Apply a thin layer of boric acid around the perimeter of your home where you’ve seen the pests congregating.
Please remember that when using any household products or medications, it is best to read the label first so that there will be no accidents involving children or pets.
Call a Pest Control Specialist
If you’re struggling with an earwig infestation that seems out of control or if you have pets or small children at home and are concerned about using insecticides or pesticides around your family members or pets, it may be time to call in a pest control specialist for help.
10. Embracing or Rejecting Earwig Symbolism: Personal Choice and Beliefs
Should you believe in earwig superstitions or the spiritual meaning behind earwigs? As always, the decision to place significance in such beliefs is entirely a personal choice and is typically influenced by your upbringing, religious beliefs, or culture. One person’s superstition may be another’s religious belief, so take the meaning of earwigs with a grain of salt. It doesn’t matter whether you think the earwig superstition is true or that earwigs have spiritual significance; what’s important is to create a healthy and safe environment in which you can live, no matter what you believe in.
In conclusion, earwigs may carry various spiritual meanings in your house, depending on your individual beliefs and cultural background. While some interpret their presence as a sign of good luck and protection, others perceive them as omens of upcoming changes or warnings. Whether you choose to embrace or fear the presence of earwigs in your home, understanding the different spiritual meanings can provide insight into the significance these creatures hold in your life.
