Earwigs can be a real nuisance in the garden, as they love to munch on young plants, flowers, and even ripening fruits. While they do help by eating other pests, their plant-damaging habits often outweigh the benefits. Here are some strategies to keep them in check:
Earwig Image by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster – CC BY-SA 3.0
1. Traps
Rolled-Up Newspaper or Cardboard Tubes
Roll up some damp newspaper or fill a cardboard tube (like from a toilet paper roll) with straw or shredded paper. Place these traps around your garden in the evening. Earwigs love dark, moist places and will hide inside. In the morning, dispose of the traps (far away from your garden!).
Oil Traps
Fill a shallow container, like a tuna can, with a mix of soy sauce and vegetable oil. Bury it so the rim is level with the soil. The soy sauce attracts the earwigs, and the oil prevents them from escaping once they fall in.
2. Barrier Methods
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Sprinkle DE around the base of your plants. This natural powder, made from fossilized algae, has sharp edges that damage the exoskeletons of earwigs, deterring them from crossing the barrier. Reapply after rain or watering.
Copper Tape or Vaseline
Wrapping plant stems or pots with copper tape or applying a ring of Vaseline around the base can deter earwigs from climbing up.
3. Encourage Natural Predators
Birds, frogs, and toads are natural predators of earwigs. Encourage them in your garden by providing water sources, birdhouses, or hiding spots like rocks and logs.
4. Tidy Up the Garden
Earwigs love hiding in mulch, leaf piles, and other garden debris. Keeping your garden tidy and removing potential hiding spots can reduce their population. Consider using fine mulch, like compost, rather than coarse organic materials.
5. Night Hunting
Earwigs are nocturnal, so they do most of their damage at night. Head out with a torch after dark to see where they’re congregating, and you can manually remove them.
6. Repellent Plants
Some plants, like rosemary and bay leaves, are said to repel earwigs. Consider planting these near vulnerable plants to deter earwigs.
By combining these methods, you can effectively reduce earwig damage in your garden without resorting to harsh chemicals.
