Earwig

5859  Hi I’m Shannon and I have been finding these bugs regularly on the main level of my home in Kitimat, BC. The odd time, I have also discovered a few on the outside Windows or along the house. I have noticed them year-round, I believe, if I can recall correctly. But sometimes my memory doesn’t serve me well so I can say I’ve definitely noticed them in summer, fall and now getting into winter.  I am wondering what this is so I can research if they provide a big threat of infestation that would need to be dealt with. Thank you for any help in identifying it.

This is an earwig (order Dermaptera), possibly a European earwig, Forficula auricularia; see http://tinyurl.com/h97cy58 for an image. Earwigs seldom do any real harm, and may even be of some benefit in the garden, as they will feed on the eggs and young of other insects. See http://tinyurl.com/h5m54vn for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.