Earwig Odor?

Hey all!

I was wondering if anyone could describe what earwigs smell like if they give off an odor. I’ve read this is something they do.

I ask because I’ve been trying to hunt down a Odor that’s in my garage and can’t place what it is. I DO have a ton of earwigs coming in and out and they seem to always be in the grass next to the garage.

Just wondering if anyone knew what this “odor” earwigs gave off actually smells like.

Hi James, and welcome to permies!

I liken the smell of earwigs to the chemical (methyl mercaptan) that is added to natural gas, propane, LPG, etc to make it obvious when there's a leak. More than once I've come across a really strong earwig smell and caught myself checking for a gas bottle nearby.

A funny thing that I've noticed is that earwigs back in Arizona were smelly but the ones here in NZ aren't. At least not the ones around our place, and there is no shortage of them. Dunno what's up with that, as I'm pretty sure they're the same insect.

Maybe it was the gas bottle

Hmmm that’s not really the smell I’ve been smelling and I was honestly kinda hoping it was all the earwigs because then I’d know! There’s so many of them! Thank you for the reply!