Gardeners’ Forum: “Earwigs eating my flowers”
Back to Gardeners’ ForumEarwigs eating my flowers
Posted by carla Stuckey on Monday, August 20, 2001 11:47 am ADTI have a problem with earwigs. They are eating the leaves on a number of my flowers including sunflowers, zinnia and dahlias. Does anyone know of a good method to trap them, or an organic method to control them?
re: Earwigs eating my flowers
Posted by Howard Harvey on Tuesday, September 4, 2001 12:19 am ADTI think trapping earwigs is a waste of time! It's like squirrels - you never know how many are around until the problem stops. The best way is the spray or dust ( I prefer spray) with a BT mixture (organic) as soon as you see holes in any leaves. The BT stops the digestive system of the earwig, and it starves to death. Spray on top and under all leaves - important! All forms of trapping are helpful, but I have never found that it solved the problem. I have dealt with earwigs for 15 years now - they seem to be less of a problem in the Montreal area now, but they are still around.
re: Earwigs eating my flowers
Posted by Krista on Friday, September 7, 2001 11:58 am ADTI found that earwigs are just as attracted to beer as are slugs. I collect quite a few, but there seems to be just as many waiting in the shadows.
re: Earwigs eating my flowers
Posted by Carla on Thursday, September 13, 2001 2:49 pm ADTI agree. The trapping thing didn't work. They are not so much of a problem now, since it is starting to get colder now. The best method I found was to go out each night with a very diluted mixture of dish liquid (Sunlight). Any that I saw on my flowers I would spray! Have to be careful that it isn't mixed too strong. The first time I burned a couple of the leaves with the dish liquid!
re: Earwigs eating my flowers
Posted by Walt Latham on Thursday, October 4, 2001 11:07 am ADTThanks to our hot and dry weather, earwigs weren't that big a problem this summer around my little piece of paradise! Unfortunately, that may not be the case again next year, so I am prepared to do battle against the little beasties if necessary! I believe in "THE TRAP"...a 2-foot length of hose placed in the garden will do the trick. Empty the hose every morning into a bucket of soapy water and bid your earwigs adieu! A soap and water solution in a spray bottle is also very effective, but it requires more work on your part. (40 parts water to 1 part dishwashing soap) Earwigs are nocturnal creatures-they feed at night-so you have to take your spray bottle out to the garden under cover of darkness. Blast the critters where you find them...you have to make contact in order for the solution to be effective. Do this for a few nights and your earwig problems will be greatly reduced. Good Luck and Happy Gardening!
