Earwigs — Organic Prevention & Treatment

Type

Insect

Severity

Low

Peak Season

Spring

Plants Affected

4

How to Identify Earwigs

Nocturnal insects with distinctive pincers on their rear end. They feed on soft plant tissue, seedlings, and ripening fruit at night. Despite their fierce appearance, earwigs are also beneficial — they eat aphids, mites, and other pests.

🔍 Elongated brown insects (about 3/4 inch) with pincer-like cerci at the tail

🔍 Irregular holes in leaves, flowers, and soft fruit

🔍 Damage occurs at night — pests hide during the day

🔍 Found hiding in dark moist spots: under pots, boards, mulch

🔍 Chewed seedlings and flower petals

🛡️ Organic Prevention

The best defense is prevention. These organic methods help keep earwigs from becoming a problem in the first place.

🌿 Reduce hiding spots — clear debris, elevate pots, use less thick mulch

🌿 Water in the morning so soil surface dries by evening

🌿 Set newspaper or cardboard roll traps — they crawl inside at dawn

🌿 Encourage natural predators: birds, toads, ground beetles

🌿 Keep garden tidy and free of decaying organic matter on the surface

💊 Organic Treatment

If earwigs are already present, these organic treatments can help get them under control without synthetic chemicals.

🧪 Set out oil traps: shallow containers with 1/2 inch soy sauce + vegetable oil

🧪 Roll up damp newspaper or cardboard — collect and dispose of trapped earwigs each morning

🧪 Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth around affected plants

🧪 Use inverted flower pots stuffed with straw as traps

🧪 Spray a light coat of neem oil on affected plants at dusk

Plants Affected by Earwigs

Earwigs commonly affects these garden plants. Click any plant for its full growing guide.

Artichokes 150–180 days · Annual Lettuce 35–60 days · Spring Strawberries 60–90 days · Spring Basil 45–70 days · Summer

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of Earwigs organically?

Set out oil traps: shallow containers with 1/2 inch soy sauce + vegetable oil Roll up damp newspaper or cardboard — collect and dispose of trapped earwigs each morning

What causes Earwigs in the garden?

Nocturnal insects with distinctive pincers on their rear end. They feed on soft plant tissue, seedlings, and ripening fruit at night. Despite their fierce appearance, earwigs are also beneficial — they eat aphids, mites, and other pests.

How do I prevent Earwigs?

Reduce hiding spots — clear debris, elevate pots, use less thick mulch Water in the morning so soil surface dries by evening

What plants do earwigs affect?

Earwigs commonly affects Artichokes, Lettuce, Strawberries, Basil.

Is earwigs harmful to my garden?

Earwigs is a low-severity issue. While it can be unsightly, it rarely causes serious damage. Many gardeners choose to tolerate it and focus on prevention.