Earwigs can be both a garden pest and helper at the same time. They’re beneficial in compost piles because they eat nuisances like aphids, mites, and undesirable nematodes, as well as other insect larvae. However, earwigs also eat ornamental and vegetable plants, particularly dahlias, zinnias, butterfly bush, hollyhocks, lettuce, strawberries, potatoes, roses, and seedling beans and beets, as well as the silk of sweet corn. They can become serious pests when they come indoors, and also when outdoor populations get out of control and do major damage to your garden.
That is the reason why in the article today, we want to share 8 natural ways to control earwigs in your garden. These ways are safe, cheap and so effective. So, let save these ways and apply them for your garden if these trouble makers appear in your garden. Furthermore, if you use an incorrect pest control product to destroy them, it is a waste of time and money but these ways are in contrast. Read them!
#1 Canola Oil Trap
Canola oil can catch over 500 earwigs in one night. Simply dig a shallow hole (at least an inch below the soil) in the garden and putting a small cup of the canola oil inside the hole. The earwigs fell into the cup and drowned.
#2 Newspaper Trap
Wet newspaper and roll it into a hollow tube. Lay the wet newspaper on top of the area or areas where you’ve seen the earwigs and leave it overnight. The damp paper will attract insects since they love dark, damp spaces. In the morning you should see several earwigs trapped in the newspaper.
#3 Boric Acid
Boric acid is an effective home remedy for a number of different things, including getting rid of earwigs. Sprinkle the solution around any areas that the insects tend to frequent. It works when the insects ingest the acid which affects their metabolism and prevents them from excreting. They die soon after. This natural insecticide won’t affect you, and if you have pets it won’t cause them any harm either.
#4 Cardboard and Oil Trap
Make corrugated cardboard (the ones with ridges) and a piece of string. Much like the newspaper trap, you’ll need to wet the cardboard and rub oil on one side, then roll it into a tube ensuring that the oily part remains on the inside. Then, use a string to tie the roll to the tree that is being affected by the earwigs. They will be attracted to the damp, cool space and once they climb inside they will be trapped in by the oil.
#5 Sticky Barrier Trap
Some gardeners have had success using sticky barriers such as sticky tape, petroleum jelly, or Tanglefoot to trap the insects. You should apply the sticky barrier at the root of the plant or tree and the earwigs will get trapped while trying to climb up.
#6 Diatomaceous Earth
This natural insecticide is actually made from calcified shells and comes in the form of a powder. Diatomaceous earth works by affecting the earwig’s exoskeleton; water leaves its body and it eventually dies of dehydration. Just sprinkle the powder around the areas that the insects frequent.
#7 Essential Oils
Neem oil and cedar oil are also two great natural insecticides for ridding your home of these insects. Neem oil works by entering the body of the earwig and weakening the functioning of its hormonal structure. It disrupts the entire life cycle of the insect by causing it to stop eating and mating. Cedar oil kills off earwigs by causing them to suffocate and suffer from osmotic dehydration. Simply put 15 drops of either oil in a spray bottle with a little water and spray the area.
#8 Vacuuming
Vacuuming is a good method for ridding your garden of earwigs. When trapping the insects inside any of the traps, it is suggested that you put them in a plastic bag before throwing them away in the garbage. After all, you want to make sure that they can’t get out!
