The females turn, lick, and reposition their eggs. They also bring food to the newly hatched young and protect them in the nest. It takes about 2 months for nymphs to mature. Earwigs' nocturnal activity, quick movements, size, and color often cause them to be mistaken for cockroaches. Although, like some cockroaches, earwigs have wings, they fly very badly.
Earwigs spread largely by infested plant material, cut flowers, and other human activities.
Earwig problems The earwigs' habit of hiding leads them into trouble with people. They often come indoors to hide, or they conceal themselves under outdoor furniture, hoses, garbage cans, or poor-fitting well caps. They do not breed indoors but simply hide, then become active at night. Once inside a well cap, an earwig may fall into the water, die, and decay, thereby increasing bacterial contamination of the well. Plant damage Earwigs eat small holes in plant leaves during the night.