Earwigs
Latin Name:Forficula auricularia
Length:1 in
Color:Light Brown - Dark Black
Sounds:---
Digestive Tract:Yes

PEST OVERVIEW

Earwigs feed on live and dead plants and tiny insects. At times they damage cultivated plants. They will occasionally damages vegetables, flowers, fruits, ornamental shrubs, and trees, and has been recorded as feeding on honey in beehives.

Earwigs have a distinctive disagreeable odor, which is released when they are crushed, but some species can squirt such a liquid. They are gregarious in nature, typically occurring in groups. Earwigs often invade homes, sometimes by the hundreds or thousands.

WHY DO I HAVE THEM?

Earwigs are attracted to lights or to insects attracted to lights. They may enter weep holes through brick facing and beneath siding along the foundation. They also bridge from tree and shrub branches in contact with building surfaces.

The key to control is the removal of unessential mulch, plant debris, and objects such as stones and boards from around the structure. The purpose of this is to establish a low-moisture zone, which is disagreeable to earwigs.

TIPS FOR CONTROL

To get your pest problem under control, inspection is the first and foremost step. This holds true whether you are tackling the situation yourself or you are interested in a free estimate from our trained, experienced staff. Additional tips for prevention:

  • Remove leaf piles, mulch piles or other vegetation around home
  • Seal cracks and crevices on exterior
  • Move landscape timbers, logs, decorative stone and firewood away from foundation
  • Trim trees and shrubs that create damp, shady areas around home
  • Make sure gutters and drain spouts drain away from foundation