Are Earwigs a real problem?

Question

I just moved into an apartment in West Palm Beach, and I have seen a couple of bugs which look like the one pictured here http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/jndell_1197746795_680_tn.jpg&imgrefurl=http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/575/&h=100&w=100&sz=4&hl=en&start=8&sig2=tve6qBH-kaW7FZVoxPhogQ&um=1&tbnid=2nx4X7zvbTxy8M:&tbnh=82&tbnw=82&ei=WPupSKKbFab8ggLW1bzuDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddoru%2Bearwig%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGGL,GGGL:2008--3,GGGL:en%26sa%3DN , in the apt, and I am assuming they are earwigs. One even crawled on me lol. I am from NY and not used to seeing these things. I'm just wondering if they are part of everyday life in Florida and I should just deal with it, or if this is something I should be contacting my landlord about. I respect life, but I prefer that bug life stay outside lol. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

They hide in dark places during the day - eating vegetation at night. However they seem to like my dog food bowl and will gather in the bottom so I'm not to sure they don't eat meat too.  I have been bitten on more than one occasion. Not sure how or why they come in the house but they are not a pleasant surprise in your clothes or bedding. The warm humid climates have more bugs so many people have exterminator on a regular schedule - but I wouldn't bother if it is just an occasional earwig.

Answer 2

ugh yes those are earwigs!! they are soooo nasty!!!! yuck just thinking about it sends a chill down my spine. a few years ago i was power washing my walkways outside and when i hit the edge and some of the grass, TONS OF EARWIGS STARTED COMING OUT! it was like attack of the earwigs omg!!! it was so nasty, i went to home depot that night and got stuff to spray all around my house. i had nightmares...

the truth is, earwigs are EVERYWHERE! they live usually in the siding of houses and such and all in the ground around them. they like dark and damp places. they most likely had them where you were in new york, you just didnt have any run-ins, but they're always there, everywhere! just be happy that there arent roaches where you live because this is a common thing in florida even in the nicest of houses. if they're like...everywhere and interuppting your life, then id bring it up to the landlord. btw, just buy a dust buster to keep around for when you see creepy crawlies- then you dont have to touch em EEEWW!!!! good luck!

Answer 3

Earwigs are not for YOUR ears.   They are found mainly in ears of corn.   That is how they got the name.  They are also found in peach trees and in some gardens.    They look more evil than they really are.   Pincers can't do anything.    They fit in the finest of cracks, under baseboards and some places like that.  See them squish them, 1000 will not follow.  You may have got the whole herd.   Could have come in when somebody bought corn on the cob.