What is this? And how do I kill it?

[GoArmy]

Cleaned the coop today (wood shavings) and found these critters:

http://www.visi.com/~dux/hosted/bugs.JPG

Anybody know what they are? And how do I kill 'em without harming the girls?

Thanks!

 

[goldeneggtees]

looks like earwigs, i dont think are any threat.

 

[goldeneggtees]

good reading on earwigs…

http://www.simplepestcontrol.com/earwig-control.htm

 

[GA_in_GA]

I have found a few, before the hens did. As far as I know, they eat smaller bugs (mites, etc.) so they may be a good thing to have in the coop.

 

[chkn]

You've got to show those to your hens and let nature take its course.

 

[GoArmy]

Thanks.

There were a good bit of damp wood shavings in one corner so I cleaned them out and let the sun in there to dry things today. I like the idea of them eating mites, and of the hens eating the earwigs, so I'll chill. I do have a white light in the coop -- it runs off a battery (charged by a small solar panel on the roof). I could probably put an amber lens over the light. I need to run to Ace this afternoon, anyway.

 

[woodmort]

Just don't squash them--they smell awful. To the chickens, however, they're treats.

 

[drumstick diva]

I always squash earwigs, I hate 'em. But I never noticed a smell. I know they look ferocious with that stinger thing on the back but, I read up on them and it is just sexual appartus. They love hiding in moist areas. This year for some reason I've only seen a few.

I pretty much spot kill any icky bugs from earwigs to wasps to houseflies with a spritz of spic and span spray liquid from Dollar Tree. I think the soap clogs their pores (if bugs have any) and suffocates them. It does seem to work better than the BUG sprays I buy, which really makes me wonder what is in spic and span.Oh well....

 

[whoacowboy]

I have those in my mailbox. I give them to my chickens! They take care of the problem.

 

[Chick1043]

My chickens LOVE to eat those! They are just earwigs. They won't hurt your chickens.