- Get rid of earwigs in the water well - Bugboy52.40
Earwigs are common garden insects found all over the world except in extreme climates. Different species have different dietary preferences, but they can eat decaying organic matter (of both plant and animal origin), fruit, vegetables, and other garden plants, fungi and the secretions of other living things.
Particularly when the weather is hot and dry, earwigs seek out moist places and small cracks and crevices to hide in. This results in the insects sometimes finding their way into flower blossoms, growing plants such as cabbages and lettuce, homes, and well casings.
Earwigs in the water well
Although various kinds of insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates can find their way into a well casing that isn’t properly protected, earwigs are found there more commonly than most because of their habit of seeking out moisture. In some cases, vast numbers of earwigs congregate in a well.
Many properties with private water wells also have septic tanks and fields. Though septic systems will be located a safe distance from the well, insects like earwigs can easily carry contamination that far. Because they feed on decaying material, it’s not unlikely that earwigs will visit the septic system as well as the well.
Well maintenance – keep earwigs out
The best way to avoid well contamination by earwigs is to keep them out of the well in the first place:
- avoid leaving brush piles or any other decaying organic material near the well
- have a vermin proof well cap installed
- check the condition of the well cap at least once a year to verify that it is in good condition and will continue to keep earwigs and other organisms out of the well
Finding earwigs in the well
If contamination of a well is suspected, the well casing and plumbing should be inspected for signs of insect activity:
- Is the well properly capped with a vermin-proof seal? In North America, wells drilled as recently as the 1980s may not have had vermin-proof caps installed and could be vulnerable to invasion by earwigs and other small creatures.
- Inspect the inside of the well casing and cap for signs of insect activity. Webs and/or cocoons may be visible.
- Shine a bright light down the well casing. Insects may be seen fleeing the light.
- Check filters, pumps, and screens in faucets for insect parts.
Getting rid of earwigs in the well can be difficult because dead insects often fall to the bottom of the well where they break down slowly and are not disinfected by water treatment chemicals.
Get rid of earwigs in the well
When earwigs or other insects are found in a well, remember that this is a drinking water supply and don’t use insecticides or other pesticides to remove them. Unfortunately, even the use of chlorine may result in increased contamination because many dead insects may fall to the bottom and provide an ongoing source of bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms.
Contact a professional well drilling company for help:
- install a vermin proof well cap
- treat the well with chlorine and then test for contamination
- if contamination persists, it may be necessary to have a professional physically remove the dead insects
- inspect and clean all pumps, filters, and screens to remove insect parts
- practice good well maintenance and protect the well from reinfestation on an ongoing basis
Sources
Iowa State University Department of Entomology. “Earwigs.” ipm.iastate.edu Accessed Feb 06, 2011
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. “Insects in Your Water Well.” michigan.gov Accessed Feb 6, 2011
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Earwigs in Wells.” dnr.state.wi.us Accessed Feb 06, 2011
Rosemary Drisdelle - Rosemary Drisdelle has been published many times as a nonfiction writer and several times as a poet. Her first book, Parasites: Tales of ...
