Earwigs

[JonnyPicklechin]

Ive noticed these collecting in (currently?) small number of the roofs of 4 out of 5 hives at my new out- apiary. Anything to worry about?

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[Beefriendly]

Very common, nothing to worry about.
I think they like the warmth and the protection from earwig predators.

 

[Angry_Mob]

They don't have the most pleasant smell I find.

If you rub some vaseline around the edges of the crown board it keeps them away.

 

[Millet]

They don't have the most pleasant smell I find.

If you rub some vaseline around the edges of the crown board it keeps them away.

Why mess on doing that they are harmless unless you like growing roses..

 

[Erichalfbee]

Omnipresent in my roofs
Get lots over winter.
I love the big mummy wigs with lots of tiny babies.

 

[Swarm]

Can't say I've noticed an 'unpleasant smell' from Earwigs, certainly an unpleasant smell on vaseline.

 

[Beefriendly]

Can't say I've noticed an 'unpleasant smell' from Earwigs.

I cant say I've ever felt the need to sniff earwigs. Various white powders perhaps!.

 

[Angry_Mob]

Why mess on doing that they are harmless unless you like growing roses..

Bit of a binary fallacy in your logic there. I don't like the smell is a good enough argument to prevent them. They aren't completely harmless either as they will nip you.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Bit of a binary fallacy in your logic there. I don't like the smell is a good enough argument to prevent them. They aren't completely harmless either as they will nip you.

Might well nip the odd SHB one day if you’re lucky. There are bigger things to worry about.


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[Millet]

Bit of a binary fallacy in your logic there. I don't like the smell is a good enough argument to prevent them. They aren't completely harmless either as they will nip you.

Dear Lord above.. you keep bees and you are worried about getting nipped from a earwig..

 

[deemann1]

Earwigs and cockroaches (order Blattodea) can be found both on bottom boards and inner covers. These insects look somewhat alike, have similar lifestyles, and are commonly mistaken for one another. I have always classified them in my mind as transients, however your question motivated me to consult my copy of Honey Bee Pests, Predators and Diseases. One of the sources cited in this excellent reference states that earwigs “. . . may pierce cappings and spoil comb sections with excreta, food fragments, and the skins of nymphs.” The book makes similar observations concerning roaches, with the addition of a warning about odor problems. Another source notes that earwigs may carry honey bee diseases, including European foulbrood. It seems that from now on I may have to consider both species as pests rather than transients. As with other pests, the best way to control them is to maintain strong colonies. However, last Summer, I had a new colony die out and I stored the hive bodies which contained some nice drawn comb. There must have been a dozen roaches or earwigs in the boxes. After learning more about them, I may be quicker next time to squash these pests with my hive tool.-
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[Millet]

Earwigs and cockroaches (order Blattodea) can be found both on bottom boards and inner covers. These insects look somewhat alike, have similar lifestyles, and are commonly mistaken for one another. I have always classified them in my mind as transients, however your question motivated me to consult my copy of Honey Bee Pests, Predators and Diseases. One of the sources cited in this excellent reference states that earwigs “. . . may pierce cappings and spoil comb sections with excreta, food fragments, and the skins of nymphs.” The book makes similar observations concerning roaches, with the addition of a warning about odor problems. Another source notes that earwigs may carry honey bee diseases, including European foulbrood. It seems that from now on I may have to consider both species as pests rather than transients. As with other pests, the best way to control them is to maintain strong colonies. However, last Summer, I had a new colony die out and I stored the hive bodies which contained some nice drawn comb. There must have been a dozen roaches or earwigs in the boxes. After learning more about them, I may be quicker next time to squash these pests with my hive tool.-
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No wonder it was a load of *****..

 

[Walrus]

Calm down children

 

[Angry_Mob]

Dear Lord above.. you keep bees and you are worried about getting nipped from a earwig..

I'm not worried about being nipped; I was replying to your point that they are harmless; which they are not.

 

[Millet]

Calm down children

..Good night Mr Ivory..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Ive noticed these collecting in (currently?) small number of the roofs of 4 out of 5 hives at my new out- apiary. Anything to worry about?

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Nothing at all to be worried about - they just like the heat from the hive got them at most of my apiaries, they do no harm to me or the bees

They don't have the most pleasant smell I find.

Never got that close to them - what do you do - stuff them up your nose? no wonder you got a nip

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Earwigs and cockroaches (order Blattodea) can be found both on bottom boards and inner covers. These insects look somewhat alike, have similar lifestyles, and are commonly mistaken for one another. I have always classified them in my mind as transients, however your question motivated me to consult my copy of Honey Bee Pests, Predators and Diseases. One of the sources cited in this excellent reference states that earwigs “. . . may pierce cappings and spoil comb sections with excreta, food fragments, and the skins of nymphs.” The book makes similar observations concerning roaches, with the addition of a warning about odor problems. Another source notes that earwigs may carry honey bee diseases, including European foulbrood. It seems that from now on I may have to consider both species as pests rather than transients. As with other pests, the best way to control them is to maintain strong colonies. However, last Summer, I had a new colony die out and I stored the hive bodies which contained some nice drawn comb. There must have been a dozen roaches or earwigs in the boxes. After learning more about them, I may be quicker next time to squash these pests with my hive tool.-
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American - usual drivel

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

I'll leave em for now.

Wasnt it Eddie Izzard who quipped that if bees create honey, earwigs make marmite....good side crop?

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[Angry_Mob]

Never got that close to them - what do you do - stuff them up your nose? no wonder you got a nip

Lift the roof off, can smell it instantly.

 

[Murox]

bees generally coexist happily enough with earwigs - mine chase the wigs away from comb areas so I only ever find them in very small numbers (1-2's) at the hive extremities, get the odd slug as well from time to time.