Earwigs

jennzee 7/7/2010, 6:09 pm

This is my second year doing SFG (or any type of gardening, for that matter). I didn't get much harvest last year, other than learning a ton. This year is going better, but I've hit earwig season, which is one of the things that took me down last year. We have a TON of earwigs. I set out some traps (rolled newspaper...total fail. little cans of vegetable oil...worked great) but when I go out at night to check things, my plants are still covered with the little buggers. My traps are quite full in the morning, but I fear that the earwigs are only going for a swim after they've had their fill of my plants. Any suggestions for what to try next? All of my boxes are raised up off the ground, if that makes a difference. We're headed out of town next week and I fear that my garden will be devastated after several days of me not being there to tend to it unless I can get this under control in the next few days.

Megan 7/7/2010, 6:14 pm

UGH. I hate earwigs... and I have them too. I will try the little cans of oil. (I seem to have lots of little dishes... borax sugar water, beer... now oil!)

**camprn** 7/7/2010, 6:19 pm

It seems a bumper year for the earwigs as well as a lot of other pests. I suspect them in the chomping of the previously remarkable basil. Rolling Eyes

silverbug 7/7/2010, 7:30 pm

It's been a HARDcore bug season. There was a HUGE earwig that crawled out of my daughter's left over birthday cake. EWWWW. Needless to say, I dumped it in the trash along with mr. mack daddy earwig. My garden...it's being devoured. I can't get too upset because I have not done any real pest control. I feel like the broccoli is a loss, regardless at this point, and it seems like they've sort of slowed down enough for me to get on top of it in a couple days. It's depressing me though, like it's a losing battle.

Megan 7/7/2010, 8:00 pm

I'm about ready to give up and try the Neem oil. We just found egg casings all over several types of plants. Sad

aliciazim 7/7/2010, 8:02 pm

I tried neem oil and did not have the luck others seem to have had.

Megan 7/7/2010, 8:04 pm

I'm going to try to start picking bugs, but I don't know that I can keep up with it. The big vining plants are starting to grow into each other. It's not an impenetrable jungle yet, but it's getting that way.... Shocked

jennzee 7/7/2010, 8:06 pm

I've been using a neem oil product for the last 3 weeks to help control aphids and leafhoppers (and it's done a satisfactory job) but it hasn't seemed to have any affect on the earwigs.

Megan 7/7/2010, 8:12 pm

I'm not sure how big an earwig problem we have, destruction-wise, but just tonight I found striped cucumber beetles. Agggghhh!!!

aliciazim 7/7/2010, 8:29 pm

I have the dreaded striped cuke beetle too, but oddly enough, he seems to like the eggplant better than the cukes. I have never seen him on the cucumber leaves! Neem oil has NOT worked for me. The pests are out in force!

Megan 7/7/2010, 8:37 pm

They are leaving my cukes alone, so far as I can tell, but they are on my Zucchino!

Lavender Debs 7/7/2010, 9:13 pm

Ug, I had them in my beans. The cans of tuna oil and bacon grease in water are working, much less dammage. Catching lots of ants too. Good hunting to you.

Megan 7/7/2010, 9:28 pm

*Envisioning the cat(s) who are raiding her catnip, getting into the tuna oil* Oh, this ought to be interesting! Rolling Eyes

Lavender Debs 7/7/2010, 9:32 pm

Megan wrote:*Envisioning the cat(s) who are raiding her catnip, getting into the tuna oil* Oh, this ought to be interesting!

Bacon greese and terriers.... but the boys like that I need some bacon drippings at night.
Deborah.... getting a little sick of tuna salad

Megan 7/7/2010, 9:35 pm

Lavender Debs wrote:
Bacon greese and terriers.... but the boys like that I need some bacon drippings at night.
Deborah.... getting a little sick of tuna salad

Ander has a FINE recipe for skillet cornbread which uses bacon drippings. We had some last night (and the rest for breakfast!) Oh, wait... that uses up bacon drippings, doesn't produce them. Nevermind....

auntij 7/7/2010, 9:56 pm

diatomaceous earth seems to be helping with my earwigs (and arch enemy). I still have them but they are slowing down. It is worth trying and covers many bases.

**donnainzone5** 7/8/2010, 10:45 am

I use Sluggo Plus for snails, slugs, earwigs, etc.

SFG in Chicago 7/11/2010, 4:50 pm

I've had a few earwigs but not too many so far. I had never seen these things in FL so they're new to me and I hate them! LOL. Insecticidal soap seems to kill them for me. For those that are using DE, where are you finding it? Thanks.

Megan 7/11/2010, 4:58 pm

SFG in Chicago wrote:I've had a few earwigs but not too many so far. I had never seen these things in FL so they're new to me and I hate them! LOL. Insecticidal soap seems to kill them for me. For those that are using DE, where are you finding it? Thanks.

I got my DE in a feed/supply store... and I had to ask around a bit even then, because the first person I asked had no idea what I was talking about. Good luck!

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