Insecticide For Earwigs

Earwigs are common garden pests that may feed on your vegetable crops. While they can be controlled with sprays for earwigs, trapping is also an option. Before you set out to eradicate earwigs, however, consider how much damage they are causing in your garden if any. Some earwigs prey on other vegetable pests, such as aphids and mites, meaning their presence may be beneficial.

Less than an inch long, earwigs can be easily identified by the two pincers that protrude from their abdomens. There are more than 20 species of earwigs in the United States, according to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, one of the most common of which is the European earwig. The striped earwig is considered a particularly beneficial species, as it does not feed on plants and therefore requires minimal control outdoors. In the wintertime, earwigs often make their way indoors.

Some earwigs feed on fruit crops and can cause quite a bit of damage. Seedlings tend to be more vulnerable to earwig feeding than mature plants. Earwigs are most active at night and are attracted to sources of light. Contrary to what a common myth may suggest, earwigs are not known to attack humans out of their own volition, though they may bite if provoked. Earwigs tend to seek shelter in weeds, ivy and mulches, making proper sanitation key to controlling them.

According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, the most effective sprays for earwigs are spinosad sprays. Derived from bacteria, spinosad is an organic pesticide that is considered safe for use around many fruits and vegetables. It is also sold in the form of baits that you can place around plants preemptively to avoid earwig infestations. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, while Spinosad is toxic to bees, it is safe to use when bees are not active, as it does not affect pollinators once it has dried.

According to the Utah State University Extension, diatomaceous earth, a human- and pet-safe powder made from the fossilized remains of algae, can also be effective when it comes to controlling earwigs in a garden. You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the soil around your plants. A disadvantage of diatomaceous earth is that water inactivates the powder, so you will need to reapply it after rain showers or whenever you water your vegetable crops.

One way to control earwig populations without pesticides is by trapping them. This can help reduce the number of earwigs in your garden without eliminating them completely, which could allow the pests on which they prey to multiply excessively.

One way to trap earwigs is with strong-smelling oil, such as fish oil. Pour the oil into a can with low sides, like a tuna fish can. The Utah State University Extension says you can also reuse a margarine tub for this purpose. Whatever container you choose, bury it so that the top is even with the soil. Dispose of the oil and the earwigs every few days and then begin the process again.

Alternatively, you can leave rolled-up cardboard, newspaper or even a piece of an old hose on the soil close to your vegetable plants. In the morning, dump any trapped earwigs into a pail of soapy water.