Earwigs may be tiny, but they can create some pretty big headaches in your garden. If your plants are looking worse for wear and you’re stumped about the cause, earwigs might be the sneaky culprits. But don’t stress—you’re in good company! In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about earwigs: how to spot them, what draws them to your garden, and the best ways to send them packing for good. By the end, you’ll have all the tips and tricks you need to keep your garden healthy, happy, and earwig-free!
About Earwigs
Earwigs are pretty easy to spot, thanks to their funky pincers sticking out from the back of their bodies. These pincers aren’t just for show—they help with defense, catching prey, and even impressing mates. Most earwigs are brown or black and grow to be about half an inch to an inch long. While their pincers might look a little creepy, don’t worry—earwigs are totally harmless to humans.
What Do Earwigs Eat?
Earwigs are omnivores, so they’re not picky eaters—they’ll munch on both plants and animals. They love snacking on decaying organic matter, dead insects, and unfortunately, your garden’s lovely flowers, delicate seedlings, and lush leaves. On the bright side, they also eat pests like aphids, but their appetite for your plants often makes them more trouble than help!
What Attracts Earwigs to Your Garden?
Earwigs love damp, dark spots, so you’ll often find them hiding under mulch, rocks, garden pots, or piles of leaves. They’re especially drawn to moist soil and areas full of organic material, like compost heaps. These sneaky pests come out at night to feed, so if your plants are mysteriously damaged and you haven’t seen who’s behind it during the day, chances are you’ve got earwigs! They especially like these plants:
- Lettuce
- Petunias
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Sunflowers
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Beans
- Hostas
- Strawberries
How Long Do Earwigs Live?
Earwigs don’t stick around for long—most live about a year. They lay their eggs in spring, and in a few weeks, their hungry offspring are ready to start snacking on your garden. Even though their lifespan is short, it’s crucial to tackle them early before they have a chance to multiply and spread!
The Pros and Cons of Earwigs in the Garden
Earwigs can be annoying, but they aren’t all bad. They help break down organic material like dead leaves, improving soil health, and they even snack on pests like aphids, which can be a bonus for your garden. The catch? They also love munching on your plants, especially fragile seedlings and flowers, which can cause serious damage. So, while they have their perks, they can quickly become more trouble than they’re worth!
Signs of Earwig Damage in Your Garden
Not sure if earwigs are the ones wreaking havoc in your garden? Here’s what to watch for:
- Chewed Leaves: Look for ragged edges or small holes on your plant leaves—classic signs of earwig snacking.
- Seedling Damage: Young plants are easy targets for earwigs, which can stunt their growth or even destroy them completely.
- Damaged Flowers: Earwigs love tender flower petals, often leaving them looking torn or chewed-up.
During the day, earwigs like to hide in cool, dark spots such as under flower pots, piles of mulch, or cracks and crevices around your garden. If you find them in these places, it’s a good clue that they’re the ones causing damage to your plants.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden
Let’s jump into some effective ways to get rid of them for good.
Natural Methods
Luckily, there are lots of natural and eco-friendly methods to deal with earwigs that won’t harm your garden or the environment.
- Oil Traps: Create simple traps by filling a shallow dish with vegetable or fish oil. Earwigs will be drawn to the oil and get stuck in it. For extra attraction, try adding a little soy sauce to the mix!
- Rolled-Up Newspaper: Another easy DIY trap is rolling up some damp newspapers and placing them in your garden overnight. Earwigs love dark, moist spots, so they’ll crawl into the newspapers for shelter. In the morning, just pick them up and dispose of the earwigs inside.
- Natural Predators: Bring in some natural pest control by encouraging beneficial creatures like birds, toads, and certain beetles that feast on earwigs. You can even introduce nematodes—tiny worms that target earwigs and other pests. These natural solutions help keep your garden’s ecosystem balanced!
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from tiny, fossilized aquatic organisms. When sprinkled around your plants, it works as a natural insecticide. It’s safe for humans and pets but deadly to pests like earwigs. The powder damages their exoskeletons, causing them to dry out and die. Simply apply it where earwigs are most active, especially around plant bases and in the soil.
Insecticides
If natural methods aren’t cutting it, you can try insecticides. Make sure to choose products that are safe for garden use and follow all the safety instructions. While insecticides can help control earwigs, they may also harm helpful insects like bees and ladybugs. Use them sparingly and only as a last resort to keep your garden healthy.
How to Prevent Earwigs from Coming Back
The best way to deal with earwigs is to stop them from returning in the first place. Here are some tips to keep earwigs from infesting your garden:
- Keep Your Garden Clean: Earwigs love to hide in piles of debris, mulch, and leaves. Make sure to clear away these hiding spots regularly to reduce places where they can thrive.
- Moisture Control: Since earwigs are drawn to moisture, try to keep your soil on the drier side. Water your plants in the morning so the soil has time to dry out before night. Fix any leaks or areas where water pools to avoid creating the perfect earwig habitat.
- Barriers and Traps: Set up physical barriers like copper tape or sticky traps around your garden to help keep earwigs out. You can also try wrapping a strip of tinfoil around plants to make them less appealing to these pests.
- Mulch Smartly: When using mulch, don’t pile it right against plant stems. Spread it evenly around your garden, leaving space between the mulch and plants to make the area less inviting for earwigs. Unfortunately earwigs like to hide in mulch
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of earwigs permanently?
To get rid of earwigs for good, keep your garden clean and dry, remove debris, and seal cracks where they can hide. You can also use natural traps like rolled-up newspapers or oil traps. For stubborn infestations, try using diatomaceous earth or an eco-friendly insecticide.
Do coffee grounds keep earwigs away?
Coffee grounds might help deter earwigs by drying out the soil and making it less inviting. However, they’re not a foolproof solution on their own. Combining coffee grounds with other methods like traps or diatomaceous earth works best.
What is the best natural repellent for earwigs?
Diatomaceous earth is one of the best natural repellents for earwigs. It’s harmless to plants and pets but deadly to pests. You can also use essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil mixed with water as a spray.
