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Residences, Structures and Communities |
Earwigs can be an indoor or outdoor complaint. Either way, they rarely do any damage, but do evoke a response from many homeowners. It is not true that they can get into the head and damage the brain. It is more likely that over exposure to chemicals trying to kill them would cause brain damage.
Earwigs are normally found outdoors in mulch, flower beds, under rocks logs, etc. When the weather turns dry, they search for sources of moisture. Watered and mulched gardens, along with water dripping from exterior spigots or the condensate lines of an air conditioner will attract earwigs. On occasion, when earwig populations build up in gardens, they may feed on (and damage) tender foliaged small plants. Indoors, they may show up in bathrooms and kitchens, particularly around sinks, tubs, dishwashers, etc. Since they don't do the dishes, they are usually not appreciated. Because they simply climb the foundation walls, they may also occur in almost any room. They will also occur in garages, quite often in corners or under stored objects (such as boxes or equipment).
Because earwigs are most active at night, using bug lights or changing to sodium vapor lights (instead of metal halide) may reduce some earwig activity around the porch.
Earwigs normally do not survive well indoors, unless they can find adequate moisture. People who want to spray should focus on treating the foundation, around the door and window sills and, if they are so inclined, a 3 to 5 foot band around the foundation. Common insecticides can be used, as well as the pyrethroid insecticides, such as cyfluthrin (Tempo or Bayer's Advanced Home Pest Control product). Many stores may also carry Ortho's granular bait, which is used outdoors for cockroaches, crickets and earwigs. Sprinkle the bait along the foundation. If the bait is used, do not apply any liquid insecticides to the area. Observe normal precautions when using baits.
For the non-chemically inclined, you can put out a bait consisting of oats or grits in a box that has pencil-size holes near the bottom edge on the sides to allow the earwigs to enter. You can also put out old canvas bags or wet newspapers or anything else. The earwigs will collect in/under these items (including the bait boxes) and you can either shake the earwigs into a bucket of soapy water or just in the open somewhere away from the house.
Being an earwig is not normally a treatable offense. For more information, see Residential, Structural and Community Pests Insect Note No. 28.
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Last modified on May 31, 2005 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.