How to Rid the Garden of Earwigs (Pincher Bugs)

With a little tenacity, you can get rid of earwigs in your garden.

Earwigs, also known as pincher bugs, can be a real problem in the garden. They eat your lettuce, cut holes into cantaloupe and watermelon and do serious damage to squash, cucumbers and other vegetables you spend your gardening time tending and nurturing. But because it's your garden, you may not want to use pesticides. However, there are a few safe methods you can employ to rid your garden of earwigs.

Things You'll Need

• Diatomaceous earth
• Newspaper
• Bucket
• Dishwashing soap
• Insecticidal soap
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Sprayer

Instructions

1. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around susceptible garden plants. The powder, which is crushed up fossilized skeletons, will pierce the skin of earwigs, resulting in dehydration and death.

2. Roll up a newspaper and place it in the garden in the evening. The next morning, unroll the newspaper over a bucket of soapy water and drop the earwigs -- and possibly other insects and slugs -- into the bucket to kill them.

3. Mix 1 tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol with 1 quart of insecticidal soap in a sprayer. Spray the solution on infested areas every couple of days for two weeks.

References

• GH Organics: Natural Insect Control
• Oregon State University Extension Service; Earwigs Abound in Wet Gardens; Carol Savonen