Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Supplement/Ear-wig

EAR-WIG.—The following method of extirpating these mischievous insects, is recommended by Mr. Forsyth, who has successfully practised it for several years. Let old bean-stalks be cut into tubes, about nine inches long; then be tied up in small bundles, either with pack-thread, or the pliant twigs of young willows; and be suspended on nails against the wall, in the vicinity of trees. Early in the following morning, a board about 18 inches square should be procured, and a small wooden trowel: the bundles of such bean-stalks are now to be taken down separately, stricken against the board, and the ear-wigs be destroyed with the trowel, as they fall out of the stslks.—If this method be repeated daily, or every second morning, the increase of the insects will speedily be checked.

The propagation of these vermin may be still more certainly prevented, by immersing the shreds taken from trees that have been unnailed in autumn, in boiled soap-suds, for three or four days previously to using them again: in this simple manner, the eggs of ear-wigs, as well as those of other insects, will be effectually exterminated.