Q. I’m having a problem with earwigs. They seem to love my garden vegetables, but don’t leave much for me. I garden organically, so I don’t want to use any pesticides. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the little buggers?
-San Jose, California
A. I found what I hope is good information in a Rodale book about vegetable garden problems. I had a big problem with earwigs in my house but when I started using a dehumidifier in my basement, it was dryer and they moved elsewhere. Now I know why!
They like decaying organic matter and hiding in moist dark places, so keep your garden clear of crop debris, pulled weeds, buckets etc. unless you are using them for a trap.
Best way to trap is to place damp rolled-up newspapers around the garden or stuff old flowerpots with damp crumpled paper. The little critters will go in them during the day. The book says to collect them in the morning but my guess is it will work after the sun goes down…either add the newspapers to your compost (if it is far from the garden) where they will love eating yummy stuff there, or shake them into a soapy water in a bucket to drown. They also suggest that homemade hot pepper garlic spray may help deter them.
Barbara Emerson, Have Green Thumb, Manchester, Massachusetts
