Earwig O

Earwigs look worse than the bites they take out of plants. Some years there may be large infestations.

Earwig Problems

• Whilst Clematis, Dahlia and Chrysanthemum plants may be a bit chewed  and ragged by an earwig they will not come to great harm unless you are growing show blooms.
• Larger infestations  can strip the soft green parts to a network of veins.
• Earwigs eat large irregular holes in the leaves and petals can be damaged by droppings.
• Earwigs feed their newly hatched young on aphids and other small insects.
• During the day earwigs hide amongst the petals. The leaves of Dahlias can be ravaged by
• Earwigs do not bite or spread disease.

Earwig Control

• To catch these night feeders use a torch.
• The inverted plant pot on a cane method with the pot filled with straw or well crumpled newspaper will act as a trap. You can then collect the earwigs for destruction.
• Birds, frogs and toads that prey on earwigs will help reduce the population of earwigs and keep it under control.
• Chemical controls such as permethrin should be applied at dusk on warm evenings. Treat the leaves blooms and the  soil below the plants.
• Prevention by removing moisture and decaying vegetation will make conditions less hospitable for earwigs.