Identifying a Household Bug?

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

July 6, 20180 found this helpful

It looks like some kind of a beetle. Put it in a sealed plastic bag and go where pesticides are sold. They will help you identify it and sell you the right pesticide.

Pghgirl40
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks

July 6, 20181 found this helpful

He looks like an earwig www.orkin.com/.../

A garden center or hardware store can confirm.

Despite their creepy name, if that is what it is they are harmless. If you have pets or children or allergies you may want to avoid chemicals and try more natural repellents. This site has some suggestions:

www.goodhousekeeping.com/.../

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

July 7, 20181 found this helpful

Creepy looking things arn't they?
I agree that it looks like an earwig and there are quite a few "varieties" so not all will look exactly alike.

• Examples:
• www.google.com/search?q=earwigs&client=firefox-b...
• First; they are usually harmless to humans or pets but can be a nuisance and can increase in numbers if not eliminated.
• They can be a big annoyance when indoors. Be sure to not crush them (or even disturb them) as they usually produce a foul odor so be careful and have a solution ready and shoot to kill.
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• Adult earwigs may or may not have wings, but they rarely fly.
• Usually less than an inch long, but their colors vary from light red-brown to black.
• It seems they can come in through crevasses under doors or windows but usually get inside when a plant is brought in from outside. They like moisture and can be hiding in the tray under a plant. Earwigs are nocturnal so they are not often seen during the day.
• Earwigs are most often outdoor creatures and so most web sites will only give solutions for getting rid of them in an outdoor setting. Rare to find a solution for how to deal with indoor problems.
• Here is my suggestion for killing earwigs indoors without doing harm to carpets but is still safe for humans and pets.
• Make an insecticidal spray; mix equal parts 70 percent alcohol and water, keep handy in a spray bottle and use when necessary.
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• Also, keep plant saucers dry as possible, vacuum and keep check on "damp" areas, like bathroom and kitchen cabinets.