In the insect world so many bugs depend on their defenses to survive. Earwigs actually have few such armaments but still can be the most frustrating insect that keeps coming back time after time. Many home owners fear the earwig and show no mercy when they spot one in their home. Shots of Raid, fly swatters and shoes go flying when the hapless earwig makes its way across a bathroom mat or is found at the front door. The problem is that with each one killed the beleaguered resident finds another and another on a constant basis and in some situations it gets way out of control and people can see many earwigs every single day of the season.
While some insects lay thousands of eggs and that is how their colony size gets so large, earwigs usually only produce one generation per year 50 to 60 eggs at a time. While the earwig is harmless to you and I they can be formidable on other bugs. The female actually protects her nest until they eggs hatch which is quite rare in the insect world. The earwig pincers are a source of fear for most but they are not even powerful enough to cause but a tiny prick. Earwigs do posses fully developed wings but rarely fly. Stories go that the earwig seeks out human ears to crawl in and nest but there is very little truth to the myth. While is does happen that earwigs and other bugs have entered into sleeping peoples ears, it is not something these insects do on purpose in order to lay eggs and bore into your brain.
Earwigs do best in damp situations such as leaf litter or mulch. Home owners oblige this six legged creature by adding more mulch every year on top of old and by constant watering of plants and landscaping that is close to the home. This yearly practice allows the population of the earwig to grow with each new season. Since earwigs survive the winters by hibernating the adults and new born combine to increase the numbers every twelve months. This build up continues until finally the numbers explode and it seems like 'over night' a home can be over run.
Earwigs cannot survive for very long in dry conditions and for that reason they do not purposely intend to come inside. Moisture is key to earwigs and where ever it collects is where you will find them. Mulch and leaf litter is the most common spot to find not only adults but also nesting sites and most of the young. These environments hold a lot of moisture and also provide dark places in which they rest in during the day. In the fall when earwigs prepare to hibernate they dig chambers deep into the soil which is another reason they are very plentiful in this area. Dry spots around your home may have an earwig or two but not for long. As they begin to dry out they will move looking for a damp place in which to nest.
The earwig is not the most agile insect but they are very good at finding ways into a home. Small cracks in the foundation or gaps in doors and windows more than enough for an earwig to enter. Front door thresholds and sliding glass doors are in my experience the most used entry of an earwig. Not only because these areas are difficult to seal but also because we encourage earwigs to be in the general area at all times. Our welcome mats provide perfect cover while our decorative statues or planters do the same. The dampness that collects at the bottom of these objects is a 'welcome mat' of their own for the earwig and since it is so close to the main entries it is only logical that earwigs come in these areas far more often. So it is not that the earwig has built up some great resistance to insecticides or that they are extremely tough and can't be killed. It is however that we the homeowner provide everything they need and continue this long enough until the problem needs major treatments to bring it back down to a acceptable level.
While some insects lay thousands of eggs and that is how their colony size gets so large, earwigs usually only produce one generation per year 50 to 60 eggs at a time. While the earwig is harmless to you and I they can be formidable on other bugs. The female actually protects her nest until they eggs hatch which is quite rare in the insect world. The earwig pincers are a source of fear for most but they are not even powerful enough to cause but a tiny prick. Earwigs do posses fully developed wings but rarely fly. Stories go that the earwig seeks out human ears to crawl in and nest but there is very little truth to the myth. While is does happen that earwigs and other bugs have entered into sleeping peoples ears, it is not something these insects do on purpose in order to lay eggs and bore into your brain.
Earwigs do best in damp situations such as leaf litter or mulch. Home owners oblige this six legged creature by adding more mulch every year on top of old and by constant watering of plants and landscaping that is close to the home. This yearly practice allows the population of the earwig to grow with each new season. Since earwigs survive the winters by hibernating the adults and new born combine to increase the numbers every twelve months. This build up continues until finally the numbers explode and it seems like 'over night' a home can be over run.
Earwigs cannot survive for very long in dry conditions and for that reason they do not purposely intend to come inside. Moisture is key to earwigs and where ever it collects is where you will find them. Mulch and leaf litter is the most common spot to find not only adults but also nesting sites and most of the young. These environments hold a lot of moisture and also provide dark places in which they rest in during the day. In the fall when earwigs prepare to hibernate they dig chambers deep into the soil which is another reason they are very plentiful in this area. Dry spots around your home may have an earwig or two but not for long. As they begin to dry out they will move looking for a damp place in which to nest.
The earwig is not the most agile insect but they are very good at finding ways into a home. Small cracks in the foundation or gaps in doors and windows more than enough for an earwig to enter. Front door thresholds and sliding glass doors are in my experience the most used entry of an earwig. Not only because these areas are difficult to seal but also because we encourage earwigs to be in the general area at all times. Our welcome mats provide perfect cover while our decorative statues or planters do the same. The dampness that collects at the bottom of these objects is a 'welcome mat' of their own for the earwig and since it is so close to the main entries it is only logical that earwigs come in these areas far more often. So it is not that the earwig has built up some great resistance to insecticides or that they are extremely tough and can't be killed. It is however that we the homeowner provide everything they need and continue this long enough until the problem needs major treatments to bring it back down to a acceptable level.
About the Author:
You can Prevent Massive Earwigs with simple changes to your home. Simple easy to use hints that will Keep Your Earwigs Outside.
