Physical Control
Physically removing them from your garden can be a very effective way of reducing damage, and these methods are safe for beneficial insects, pets, and yourself! You can achieve this by trapping them or barring them from entry.
Trapping can be effective since they like to hide during the day and aggregate together. You can make simple, effective traps at home, or purchase traps from Home Depot.
Trap-N-Kill Earwig Traps
Alternatively, cut pencil-width holes in the lid of a used plastic container, such as a small cream cheese tub. Fill halfway with fish oil or vegetable oil, and set around affected plants. You may add soy sauce in with the oil as well, as it adds an extra scent to attract the earwigs. They will drown in the liquid.
Alternatively, try wetting a section of newspaper, rolling it into a tube, and setting it out near the plants just before dark. Shake into a bucket of soapy water in the morning.
You can also catch them on their way up to damage your trees by wrapping some sticky tape, such as duct tape, around the trunks 12 inches or higher from the ground with the sticky side out. This will trap them when they crawl up at dusk. Be sure to replace it regularly.
Biological Control
There are few natural predators of earwigs, since they will emit a nasty smell when attacked, but birds, toads, snakes, and some ground beetles will eat a few.
The tachinid fly Bigonicheta spinipennis will parasitize earwigs, and in wet climates certain fungi such as Erynia forficulae and Metarhizium anisopliae will infect them and provide varying levels of control.
Unfortunately, there are no biological options available for purchase.
Organic Pesticides
Using a combination of cinnamon essential oil and garlic, Gargoil Insect, Mite, and Disease Control is labelled for earwig control and is available at Arbico Organics.
Gargoil Insect, Mite, and Disease Control
Pyrethrin and spinosad-based products will also provide control, and are also available at Arbico Organics, such as this Monterey Take Down Garden Spray and Monterey Garden Insect Spray.
Monterey Garden Insect Spray
Note that pyrethrin will also kill bees and other beneficials, and spinosad is safe for some beneficials but is toxic to bees, so avoid spraying during pollination activities and only if absolutely necessary.
Nighttime sprays, when these insects are active and accessible, tend to be more effective than daytime applications.
Diatomaceous earth products can be effective against these crawling insects. Apply around the base of affected plants and where you know they like to hide.
Perma-Guard Crawling Insect Control
Use a product such as Perma-Guard Crawling Insect Control from Arbico Organics or Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth from Home Depot.
Chemical Control
It is rare to need to resort to chemical pesticides for an infestation of earwigs in a garden setting, thanks to the variety of organic control methods available!
Garden Tech Sevin
If needed, however, chemical pesticides that may be used include carbamates such as carbaryl (Sevin), which is available at Home Depot, organophosphates like chlorpyrifos or diazinon, neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, and sodium channel blockers like indoxacarb.
Just a Tiny Pinch!
Even though we were told as kids that we’d only be pinched by earwigs if they felt threatened, my siblings and I still had an irrational fear of those large gaping forceps. Based on how many people are averse to these common insects, it’s likely you feel the same way.
Knowing that they will feed on another insect I dislike, namely aphids, makes me a little more appreciative of their existence. But I’d still rather they didn’t hide out in the laundry hung out to dry, or chew on my precious flowers.
What about you: do you like or dislike earwigs? Tell me why in the comments section below!
Gardens, in all their lush, tasty glory, attract many unwanted, strange visitors. Learn how to control other creepy pests here: