Every year its something new. This year I have a huge population of earwigs for some reason. They are everywhere - in shrubs, on sedums, in the herbaceous perennials. What will get rid of them?
Earwigs
I've heard that you should take a rolled up newspaper, wet it, and stick it in the area where you're finding them. Then in the morning go out and there should be a whole bunch of them inside and you can throw them away. Of course if you have a major infestation this might be a lot of work!
WAIT WAIT WAIT-
Lets back up. What the heck is the deal with this bug? What does it do? Does it have any redeeming qualities? What does it do to the garden? Why am I finding them in the weirdest places like in my gutters? Those pinchers look tough, anyone ever get bitten? Please explain!
I've always known earwigs to eat detritus and rotting vegetation but now I'm finding them in the flower buds of daylilies and lilies, eating the new flower buds of my Sedum Matrona, even up on a viburnum. The odd thing is I can't figure why there is such a large number of them this year. According to my searches on the net, they move in primarily when other insects have been killed by insecticides because they bounce back quicker. I don't use insecticides to speak of. Last fall I spot sprayed 2-3 trees for webworms but the spray was contained to the target trees which are small. I don't know what to think. There are quite a few toads and leopard frogs in the gardens so you'd think that would indicate the gardens are healthy enough.
I've noticed an unusual amount of earwigs this year, too. I don't know if they are bad, but they sure creep me out, lol! I have been finding them in the blooms of my roses, but haven't looked carefully enough to see if they are doing damage.
I don't spray a lot of insecticides either, and haven't sprayed at all this year. Seems if it's not one thing, it's another...
:)
Dee
They just like water and damp places. They are CREEPY. We get them in our house once in a while, and I looked up organic control, and guess what? There is not much you can do. I told DH to buy a duck...LOL :}
I don't think they usually cause significant damage to plants, they're just sort of icky so I smash them when I see them. I never see more than a few though, so if you have lots maybe they could do some damage.
I have tons in my house, along with spiders, and they both creep me out. I've seen too many science fiction movies, I guess.
I'm going to try the ultrasonic thingies, and I have traps on order. I don't want to use poison more than I can help. I don't want me or the cats breathing that stuff.
I've heard the ultrasonic things don't really work. Could be wrong though! I wonder if boric acid or diatomaceous earth would work on them? Those are the two less toxic alternatives that I usually hear recommended for pests inside the house.
When I lived in Chicago, we tried boric acid powder for roaches. I never noticed that it worked, but there were so many roaches in Chicago that maybe it was just too overwhelming.
I would stay away from poison if you have cats.... just an opinion.
I found that our earwigs were propagating under the fence caps in our front yard. We took off the caps and there are fewer now. They like to hide under pieces of wood, boards, in damp places. I started wiping up every bit of water from my shower and sinks and it has helped. They also say to use rolled up newspaper in the window sills or where they come in and they will hide inside it at night. Then you can throw it away each morning. Ours would crawl into our curtains to hide, or sit on top of the door, yecch. It was awful. But I really feel they are not worth putting poison into the environment for. They don't do much damage. They are just ugly! Diotamaceous earth is supposed to help too, mayybe sprinkled at the door sill, or whatever. Or, you can buy a duck.
I've heard mixed reviews about the ultrasonic pest repellers, and I've heard that you have to give them at least two weeks to work. But I installed two of them Monday, and I have not seen a single bug since then. Not a spider, earwig, or anything else.
Heck, maybe they do work! I wonder if the effect extends out into the garden.