Last updated: January 2016 Site Created by: Andre Chagljevich
The European earwig is one of the common pests in homes and gardens. If present in large numbers, the earwig may damage flowers, fruits, and vegetables.Adult earwigs are 1/4 to 1 inch long and typically dark brown to black in color, with a red head and pale yellow-brown legs.
The female earwig lays broods of 300 eggs, twice a year, which hatch in about three months. Eggs are laid in small batches 5 to 8 cm (2" - 3") beneath the soil. The female guards the eggs and newly hatched young until the first molt, when they leave the nest. Since they multiply fairly quickly, an infestation can soon number in the thousands.
Earwigs generally live outdoors and feed on plant material. They are highly active at night and hide during the day under stones and other objects. Earwigs are outdoor insects which become household pests when they invade structures, usually in the fall or at night. Indoors, they are usually found in cracks and crevices and under furniture and carpeting.
Earwig control and prevention begins outdoors by removing
moist harbourages such as wood piles, landscape timbers,
mulch, etc. In order to achieve control, Target Pest Control
will perform a crack and crevice application outside your
home and inside in areas where earwigs like to hide. i.e.
laundry, storage, kitchen, and bathroom areas.