Landscaping Tips: Perfect insect mothers can be nuisance in Wyoming homes and gardens

By Alexandre Latchininsky, Extension entomologist, UW CES

Late summer is when different insects attempt to crawl into houses. Earwigs are infamous for this annoying behavior. 

These flattened, blackish creatures are about 1/2-inch long, and they are easily recognized by a pair of ominous looking pincers on the end of the abdomen.

The name originates from an old belief that earwigs crawl into the ears of sleeping persons and then bore into the brain. This superstition is totally unfounded. Although earwigs appear somewhat dangerous, they are harmless to humans and animals and can only give a slight pinch with their pincers, which are actually a mating structure.

Earwigs are generalist feeders. They can be beneficial when they feed on insects like aphids, but in large numbers they can become important garden pests. Serious feeding damage may occur to ornamental flowers and vegetables, giving the leaves a ragged appearance with numerous, small, irregular holes. Flowers and seeds can be severely damaged, but earwigs are rarely seen feeding on plants since they are nocturnal.

Earwigs require moist, cool and dark places to spend the days and are found in lush gardens, mulch, compost piles, trash and wood piles. After entering houses, they will feed on sweet, oily or greasy foods or houseplants. 

Earwigs have remarkable life habits. They are among few insects that provide parental care for their brood. Females lay up to 50 oval, cream-colored eggs in a below-ground chamber.  The caring mother moves, cleans and protects the eggs and newly hatched offspring for several weeks until the earwig youngsters are ready to start life on their own.

There are several control methods.

For best results indoors, one must first control earwigs outdoors. Carbaryl or boric acid baits can decrease earwig numbers in the garden. Since they are attracted to lights, reduce lighting around doors and windows. Use yellow lights, which are less attractive to insects.  Eliminate damp conditions adjacent to and under the house. Gravel or ornamental stones around a home’s foundation can make a good barrier against earwigs.

An efficient earwig trap can be made out of an old, damp, rolled newspaper.  Place it overnight in potentially infested areas, and the earwigs will readily crawl in. Then destroy the “trap,” or empty it far from your house or other houses. Vacuuming is also an effective way to collect earwigs indoors. 

Many home and garden insecticides containing synthetic pyrethroids (bifenthrin and others) are labeled for earwig control; however, they usually provide temporary relief, and applications need to be frequently repeated. Always carefully read the label, and follow instructions when applying insecticides.

Contact your local University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service office for more information. Addresses and telephone numbers are at http://ces.uwyo.edu/Counties.asp.

Alexandre Latchininsky is an assistant professor in the UW College of Agriculture’s Department of Renewable Resources, and he’s an extension entomologist with the UW Cooperative Extension Service. He can be reached at (307) 766-2298 or latchini@uwyo.edu.

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor
Phone: (307) 766-3571
E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

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