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Earwigs
Description
Approximately 14mm long, dark brown with a conspicuous pair of "pincers" at the rear end. It lives in the soil or beneath stones and in/under bark of trees but will often enter houses.
Life Cycle
In the autumn earwigs form cells beneath the surface of the ground, in tree stumps or in rotting wood. Eggs are laid in January or February which hatch about two months later. The young nymphs reach maturity in a further three to four months.
Food
The earwig seeks its food at night and lives mainly on vegetable matter, often destroying flower petals and other tender foliage. It may also eat living and dead insects. Indoors it is a harmless nuisance but will occasionally attack foodstuffs.
Significance
This pest has no public health significance and will not bite humans or pets.
Control Measures
Within properties, infested food should be removed and disposed of. The affected area can be sprayed with an aerosol or insecticide powder which can be purchased from a chemist, hardware shop or garden centre. You should choose one designed for crawling insects and one that is designed for use inside the house. There are many different makes and brand names available, however, whichever brand used the instructions should be read carefully and only apply as indicated.
Insecticides should not be used close to potted plants or goldfish bowls. Powders and sprays should not be applied where pets and children can come into contact with them either directly or by crawling over treated areas.
Insecticides should not, generally, be used in kitchens or food storage areas.
