Earwigs causing Annoyance . 
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Treatment. 
It is most important that all gall-bearing trees in young spruce 
plantations should be felled and the galled boughs burnt in the 
summer. In fresh planted areas the trees should be gone over in the 
summer and the galls carefully picked off and burnt.* 
They are always most abundant where the trees are too thickly 
planted and on cold clay soils ; both thick growth and clay soil 
should be avoided for spruce plantations. 
GROUP F. 
Animals which concern Man as being injurious to his worked- 
up Products of Art and Industry, such as (A) his Buildings 
and larger Constructions and Habitations, (B) Furniture, 
Books, Drapery and Clothing, (C) Food and Stores. 
SUB-GROUP A. 
Earwigs causing Annoyance Indoors. 
Mr. F. W. Carter, of the Board of Agriculture, writes that his 
house at Boxmoor is infested with Earwigs (31.vii.02), which come 
into the house each night in large quantities ; they appeared to be 
living in the crevices between the window-frames and the brickwork, 
and also they seemed to be in the soil. 
What I am anxious to know, writes Mr. Carter, is what they feed 
upon, their habits, etc., and also what, if any, chemicals could safely be 
employed to eradicate them from the window frames. I have tried 
syringing with paraffin and water, but no use. I have also tried spreading 
unslacked lime under the window sills to prevent them creeping into the 
house, but of no use. Can you suggest any means of eradicating them, 
etc. 
The following reply was sent : — 
“Judging from the description you give of the Earwig nuisance, I 
should say the species is the large Earwig ( Forficida auricularia ), which 
