Earwig problems. :(

Ainat

Not sure where to post this one really...

Over the past week or so we suddenly seemed to have gotten an earwig problem. I'd seen the odd one or two around, but now we're getting heaps of them!

I've read a bit online which says they like dark, damp places, things like that and also that insecticides can work to kill them off. The place they seem to congregate in is around the dogs water bowl late in the evening though I see the odd one kicking around somewhere else. I can't not put the dogs water bowl down, and I am worried about using insecticides because of the dog.

We've not really got any cracks or anything for them to be getting in the house through, but with the hot weather doors and windows have been open a lot.

Is anyone else having bug related problems? Any tips/ideas on how to get rid of them?

wallbash

First question , are you certain about them being earwigs?
Not silver fish, which I would have thought more likely.

In the garden an upturned flowerpot filled with straw is often suggested

Ainat

After Googling silverfish and earwigs I'm still pretty certain they are earwigs.

After vacuuming up a whole bunch of them a couple of nights in a row (emptying the vacuum in the outdoors bin each time) we seem to have reduced them dramatically... But maybe they've just gone in to hiding? I'll be keeping an eye out.

sunnysurrey_2

I've not seen any inside but I've noticed a massive increase in my garden this year - can't stand the things! Sorry I can't be of any help though!

manda1205

I've noticed we have had quite a few this year. Like you, they have been around the cat and dogs dishes too. We usually have odd ones now and again, but I had noticed more this year. At a guess it may be because we had a mild winter, though I've no idea if it does effect them of not, just a guess.

peachyprice

I've found two in the house this week, both near the washing machine.

I remember when I was a child, my mum left my socks on the washing line overnight, when I put them on for school I felt something crawling between my toes, when I took the socks off out fell 2 earwigs _pale_

manda1205

peachyprice wrote: »

I've found two in the house this week, both near the washing machine.

I remember when I was a child, my mum left my socks on the washing line overnight, when I put them on for school I felt something crawling between my toes, when I took the socks off out fell 2 earwigs _pale_

Oh yes, now you say that, I have been putting washing out at night as its been so hot, its then dry by mid morning. Maybe I'm bringing them in with me....

Ainat

We didn't have any by the dogs bowl last night, but I did find one this morning on the coffee table. Ick.

I'm hoping that we've at least got rid of the worst of them.

Our washing hasn't been out overnight, but it has been out quite late a couple of nights as it's been so warm. Maybe that's how the problem started? As long as the numbers go down. I don't want any little creatures in my house. Other than my Jack Russell of course. :P