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Earwigs
Earwigs are hard, flattened reddish brown insects that grow
up to 1" long, they have pincers that extend from the back end of their
body. The pincers
on the females are almost straight, with a sharp inward curve on the end. On the
males, the pincers are longer and have a wide curve. The earwigs' pincers are
used for both attacking and defending and can even be used to catch other
insects. Earwigs can prey on Aphids and other insects.
Earwigs feed on plants, ripe fruit and decaying organic
matter. Young earwigs eat holes in leaves. These holes typically have a ragged
edge to them. Older earwigs feed on blossoms and can even climb into fruit trees
to feed on the ripening fruit. Earwigs can also destroy young seedlings and
flower petals.
Earwigs are nocturnal insects, during the day earwigs hide in damp dark places
such as under rocks, boards or flower pots, they can also be found under plant
debris.
Suggested solution
Granular baits are available, such as bug and snail bait.
These
can be used around the areas where earwigs gather. Alternatively, a slug pub or beer
bath works well and we have had considerable success with this method in our
display gardens here in Cambria California.
How to prevent Earwigs
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Eliminate moist, dark breeding sites such as rocks, leaf
litter and plant debris.
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Keep the garden clean by removing weedy areas and dead
foliage.
Products we sell at Cambria Nursery & Florist to control Earwigs
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Cambria Nursery and Florist
