Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Earwig	Various scientific names	Insecta	Dermaptera	Various

	Size:
	Adults are about 1/4 to 1 inch (5-25 mm) long.
	Characteristics:
	Also known as a "Pincher Bug". Flat, long body; front wings leathery, short, meeting in a straight line down the back; hind wings fan shaped, folded under front wings; rear with forceps-shaped appendage; antennae threadlike, about half the length of body.
	Color:
	Varies from pale brown with dark marks, to plain reddish brown, to black with pale legs.
	Where Found:
	Found worldwide; 22 species in the U.S.
	Comparison:
	Rove Beetle and other beetles with short wing covers do not have the forceps-like appendage. Red-legged Earwig is wingless, adults usually 1/2-5/8 inch (12-15 mm) long, dark brown with yellowish brown underside, yellowish legs with brown stripes. Striped Earwig (Shore or Riparian earwig) is 3/4-1 inch (20-25 mm) long, with pale brown banded abdomen, and forceps darker at tips.
	Habitat:
	Over winter outdoors in pairs beneath the soil surface in 1-1 1/2 inch cells or in burrows. Females lay and tend eggs and newly hatched nymphs underground.
	Food:
	Live on dead plants and insects. European Earwigs have been observed feeding on honey in beehives.
	Biology:
	Typically occur in groups at night (nocturnal), hiding during daylight hours in moist, shady places, under rocks or logs or in mulch. Cannot survive long periods of dryness. Have a bad odor when crushed, and some species can squirt a foul smelling liquid. Forceps may be used to hold prey and for defense. 4-5 nymphal instars (stages). Females lay 30-55 eggs the first time, depending on species. Later laying often much smaller in number. Development takes between 40 and 80 days, depending on species.
	Damage:
	Sometimes damage cultivated plants. May damage vegetables, flowers, fruits, and ornamental plantings. Red-legged Earwigs have infested Irish and sweet potatoes in storage, roots of greenhouse vegetables, flour mills and breweries. Striped Earwigs are not known to damage plants.
	Invasion:
	Attracted to light. European and Red-legged Earwigs may invade homes through cracks or may be brought inside on other items.
	Control:
	This insect is an ‘occasional invader’ into our homes or businesses. Control can be achieved by applications of residual materials around the exterior of the structure. To aid in the control of this insect, areas of high moisture should be addressed. Check under stones, dark areas, between wooden fence boards, and moist areas of the gardens near the structure. Cleaning up accumulated leaves, debris and creating an 18” vegetation free zone around the foundation will aid in control. Check doors that may need weather stripping along the bottom to prevent entry of this pest. Inside areas may need to be treated, however, the source will be the exterior and control should be focused in that area. You can use a vacuum to remove insects found inside in lieu of a pesticide application. If you attempt to control these insects and make an application, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Control with applications of liquid residual pesticides, baits or dusts. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.