Getting Rid of Earwigs in the Garden

Absolutely one of the creepiest pests that can invade your gardens or orchards are earwigs.  Earwigs are omnivores with a diverse diet including insects such as aphids or caterpillars, organic matter, fruits, blossoms, vegetable leaves and fruit.  In some instances earwigs are actually considered beneficial; however they can congregate and feed in large numbers causing extensive damage.  The very creepy claspers or pinchers in the rear of their body are used for defense and to hold prey.  

Earwig feeding leaves ragged leaves with a random feeding pattern.  They are nocturnal so if you suspect earwigs go outside at night with a flashlight and observe your plants.  You may also find their grass (poop) left behind on stems and leaves.  It is small black dots.  The frass actually emits pheromones which attract other earwigs to the feeding frenzy.  Scary! This is why they often are seen in large numbers.

That's enough information of earwigs to give you nightmares. Let talk about managing them.  One of the most effective methods is trapping.

Trapping:

1.  Trapping gives best results if you are diligent and stick with it.  For fruit trees corrugated cardboard can be wrapped around trunk or rolled up and laid on the ground.  They seek shelter in the cardboard.  You remove the cardboard early in the morning and throw it away or if you are brave dump the hickhickers in soapy water.   Cardboard roll into small logs and placed perpendicular to branch.  or roll up newspaper dampen slightly can be secured in upper branches of your fruit trees if they are eating your fruit.  The important point is you have to remove and dispose of the earwigs in the morning otherwise you are just providing shelter for them. 

2.  Another successful trap uses oil with soy sauce, bacon grease, or tuna oil.  Place the bated trap in a shallow dish or pan at dusk within and throughout your plants. It may be more effective to bury the dish  and have it level with the top of the soil.  Continue trapping until numbers of earwigs in the trap are small.   A possible down side of oil traps is they may attract raccoons or feral cats. Ants and sow bugs are also attracted to oil traps.

3.  You can also purchase earwig traps if you don't want the DIY approach.  Remember consistency is key to ridding yourself of these pests.

Exclusion

Duct tape and tangle foot.  Duct tape can be wrapped around a trunk and sprayed or painted with Tangle Foot.  This traps numerous insect including earwigs.  Be sure to change frequently.

Insecticides

• Spinosad which is a metabolite from naturally occurring bacteria in soil may be effective on nymphs

• Sluggo Plus 

• Pyrethrin is also an option

I fortunately don't have theses so pictures and info from USU Extension