Heres what to about these infrequent indoor pests.
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Its unsettling when an earwig scuttles across your floor with its fearsome-looking pinchers.
But spotting one doesnt mean you necessarily a huge problem.
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If you see one in your home, its lost and wandering around looking for food or shelter.
Theyre not normally found in large numbers indoors.
Generally, earwigs are annoying but far less worrisome thanantsin your pantry orcockroachesrunning across the kitchen floor.
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Theyre found any place that retains moisture and has organic matter for them to eat.
Thats simply an urban legend.
Some types have stripes, and adults have small wings, though they rarely fly.
Unlike many insects, earwigs care for their young for a short time after they hatch.
Earwigs eat mostly decaying plant matter.
But, in large numbers, they can damage crops, ornamental plants, and vegetables, says Benson.
Some types of earwigs also eat other insects, such asaphidsormites.
Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and prefercool, damp areas.
Sometimes you may find them under carpeting thats gotten wet, such as in a basement, says Benson.
They also may hitchhike indoors on potted plants or firewood.
