Do earwigs eat plants. Earwigs belong to the group of omnivorous species.
Do earwigs eat plants
They eat plants as well as insects. The earwigs predate a variety of plants and insects to survive and live.
Earwig food
Insects
It includes;
- Sowbugs
- Mites
- aphids
- eggs of other insects
Plants
The types of plants eaten by Earwigs include;
- Newly grown plants
- Apricots
- Vegetables
- ornamental plants
- Flowers.
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- potatoes
- sweet potatoes
- Peanut pods.
So yes! Earwigs do eat various plants, and you need to keep the plants safe from earwigs attacks. Earwigs may lie in the garden but are native to northern Utah.
Do you know how the earwigs eat the plants?
- They attack the plant by climbing, and when they reach, they start to chew the buds, newly grown leaves, flowers, pollen, and fruits.
- They also opt for vegetable and cane fruits. They chew off the fruits and go inside them by making holes.
- So if you see holes in apricots and peaches, be aware there might be earwigs residing within them.
- Slowly and gradually, they will decompose the fruit, and I guess you won’t be happy with that.
Favorable Time
- You will find the Earwigs active at night. That’s the time you will observe active earwigs chewing your garden fruits.
- They can’t abide by the daytime and seek protection during the day.
- The only benefit is they eat other insects in the garden.
Using traps
Tangle trap
- To keep the earwigs away from the plant, apply Tangle trap™ on the plant’s stem.
- Take the product and spray it around the trunk or stem of the plant.
- The earwigs will find it difficult to climb the plant sprayed with a tangled trap on the trunk or stem.
- You can use a brush to apply the adhesive trap.
Container trap
- This trap is applicable for flower, herb, and vegetable beds.
- Take a plastic yogurt container.
- Punch a total of five holes around the top of the container.
- Add one inch of vegetable oil to the container. The oil must possess the smelly bait of a meat juice.
- You can also go for a liquid of canned tuna, bacon grease, or soy sauce.
- After that, take the container lid and place it over it.
- The lid will protect the container content from water, including rainfall and irrigation water.
- Take the container and bury it in the ground.
- Allow the holes to be 1 to 2 inches above the ground surface.
- The earwigs will be attracted to it. Observe the traps each week.
- In the end, you will find dead earwigs, dispose of them off and replenish the container trap by adding fresh bait.
Hiding Spots of Earwigs
- Earwigs may be found in the buildings to seek shelter. They enter the places through cracks and crevices.
- Seal them and install an under-door sweep and secure them tightly.
- That will prevent the entry of earwigs into the buildings.
- Eliminate vegetation, debris, and mulches growing near building areas.
Insecticides
To eliminate the earwigs, Apply insecticidal solutions around the buildings. Use traps to get rid of the earwigs. Make sure to use insecticides with caution and care.
List of Insecticides effective against earwigs includes;
- Spinosad
- Carbaryl
- Diatomaceous earth
- Azadirachtin,
- Malathion
- Bifenthrin
- Cyfluthrin
- Cypermethrin
- Deltamethrin
- Lambda-cyhalothrin
- Permethrin
- Pyrethrin
Remember to go for the insecticide label.
Look for registered uses, applications, and safety information.
Conclusion
Yes. Earwigs do eat a variety of plants.
Ensure plant’s safety from the earwigs attack. They attack the plant by climbing, and when reached, they start to chew the buds, newly grown leaves, flowers, pollen, and fruits.
They also opt for vegetable and cane fruits. They chew off the fruits and go inside them by making holes. So if you see holes in apricots and peaches, be aware there might be earwigs residing within them.
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