Earwigs are reddish-brown, approximately 2 cm long with antennae and a noticeable set of pincers which protrude from the abdomen. The pincers of the male are curved whereas those of the female are straight. Earwigs have wings but they are rarely used for flying.
Habits and Behaviour
Earwigs are one of the most disliked insects and can be found outside and sometimes inside our residential, recreation/cottage and commercial properties throughout Ontario. Earwigs migrate in groups and prefer to live in dark, moist areas beneath stones, boards, sidewalks and debris. They prefer to live outside, but when food is scarce and climate is dry, they may enter our properties through existing holes and cracks or on humans in search of food and damp condition. They are most common in the warm summer months, June, July and August and become dormant during the winter.
Why They are View as a Pest
Earwigs prefer to live outside and are not known to cause significant damage inside our properties. However, they can cause extensive damage to vegetable and flower gardens outside our properties. When earwigs do invade homes, they are more a nuisance as they can get into everything, including laundry, furniture, food and even clothing and bedding. They will hide in cracks and crevices throughout the home and are most likely to be found hiding in basements, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, storage areas and other damp, dark areas.
Treatment & Prevention
To eliminate and reduce the risk of earwigs invading your residential, recreational/cottage or commercial properties, treatment and exclusion is the best prevention.
Solace Pest Solutions can provide you with treatment, exclusion and prevention solutions.
