Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Ear-wig

EAR-WIG, or Forficula auricularis, L. a well known insect, which has received its name from penetrating into the human ear, where it causes the most acute pains, and even, as some have asserted, eventual death.

Various remedies have been applied to extract this noxious insect, such as the holding of a slice of apple to the ear; pouring of Madeira wine or brandy into that organ, &c. But the safest, and we conceive, the best remedy is, to pour olive-oil into the part affected, and to avoid on every occasion sleeping on the ground, particularly during the autumnal months.

Ear-wigs are likewise extremely destructive in gardens, especially where carnations, nuts, or filberts, pears and apples are reared. They are so peculiarly fond of the flowers first mentioned, that if they be not timely prevented, they will entirely destroy them, by consuming the sweet part at the bottoms ot the petals or leaves. To prevent these depredations, the usual practice is, to put the bowl of a tobacco-pipe, or the claws of lobsters, upon the sticks supporting the flowers, because ear-wigs creep into cavities and dark places during the day. The placing of hollow reeds behind the twigs of wall-trees, has been found of considerable service, if they be examined and cleared every morning. A visit at midnight, however, is preferable, as more vermin may then be destroyed in one hour, than can be exterminated in one week by the other means; and the garden will in a short time be, in a very considerable degree, if not totally, freed from their depredations.