Earwigs

Earwigs are very common pests around homes in Atlanta and in Georgia. These insects were once believed to crawl into human ears and sew them shut.

Identification

• Earwigs have a pair of forcep-like appendages on the rear of the abdomen which contributed to the medieval belief that the insect could sew the ear shut

Environment

• Earwigs can exist in large numbers around homes that have large quantities of mulch and organic matter around the foundation

• Will enter through cracks in the slab or around door and window frames

Threats

• Do not cause any damage to the structure, but can be a nuisance if in your home

• Some species can emit a noxious odor

• Generally beneficial decomposers of organic matter when outdoors, but some species will attack ornamental plants and vegetables

• Strawberries are a particularly attractive target

• Females will dig a burrow up to 9 inches deep under mulch and lay a cluster of eggs

• Eggs hatch into nymphal earwigs which will leave the burrow and begin the path to adulthood

Treatment

• Granular baits around the exterior perimeter

• Residual spray applications around the perimeter