Earwigs

[dilettante]

Has anyone noticed an explosion of earwigs this year? Every time I open my shed door, or lift my wheelie bin lid, or refillmmy bird feeder, a shower of the things falls out. They seem to be everywhere. Not my favourite critters, but I expect someone here will tell me why I should learn to love them

[David M]

Not noticed this, but then again, with 28 chickens earwigs don't last long.

[Dave McCormick]

I noticed I was getting a lot in my moth traps this year, when I brought trap indoors after checking it, always found one hidden away I didn't see. Don't think I found as many as you did though.

[ChrisC]

i normally find them at night going round the garden with a torch. (that's me with torch not them) they are benefical as they eat decaying matter and from memory the mothers are actually quite maternal looking after the youngsters. I haven't double checked but i'm sure they can be found in the book "grasshoppers and allied insects of great Britain and Ireland" along with cockroaches. but like i say thats from memory.

CHris

[Michaeljf]

On a similar (or perhaps not) line of enquiry, do Acorn-weavils or Earwigs eat Holly leaves? I've got a Holly at the bottom of my garden, loads of bit-cuttings taken out of it . First I hoped it might be Holly Blues (we do get them in the garden in Spring) but I had a look at the bush one night and I'm sure there were loads of Acorn-Weavils on it .

On the subject of Earwigs, I've not noticed an increase. I did see plenty of Ladybird larvae in the garden this year though

Michael

[Lee Hurrell]

I hadn't seen an earwig for ages. I read this post then found one at home over the weekend!

But only one though.

Cheers

Lee

[Butterfly Gardener]

I have had a load of earwigs living on my bird table all summer. Never had that before.