The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
One of the more ominous-looking garden insects is the earwig.
These small insects have long abdomens and pincer-like appendages.
They roil around in moist garden mulch or beneath logs and other debris.
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
Earwigs incite fear because of this myth and appearance rather than from their behavior.
Identifying Earwigs
Earwigs are about 1/2 inch long and have flattened, elongated bodies.
They can be pale, brown, reddish, or black.
Some are winged and some are not.
Silverfish, firebrats, and rove beetles are often mistaken for earwigs.
However, only earwigs have two distinct appendages on their backside that form a pincer shape.
Life Cycle
Earwigs live about one year after hatching.
Eggs are laid in late winter or early spring and hatch in seven days into nymphs.
Through a series of molts, the nymphs transform into adults, which will mate in the fall.
The previous generation typically dies out sometime during the growth of the nymphs into adults.
Warm climates may see two generations of garden earwigs each year.
Because cold weather kills off most earwigs, relatively few mating couples survive the winter to reproduce.
These insects are not usually found in large numbers in cooler climates.
However, a large infestation can be detrimental to plants.
They also emit an unpleasant odor when crushed.
As bad as earwigs look, they are not serious garden pestsand sometimes are more friend than foe.
You only have to do this temporarily, until the earwigs move on.
Then, replace the mulch on yourgarden soil.
Earwigs feed at night and look for a damp, sheltered spot to spend the day.
you’re able to pick up quite a few in the newspaper the next morning.
These conditions, along with a supply of food, will tempt earwigs into your garden.
However, since they are considered beneficial insects, they are only treated as pests when they cause damage.
These insects commonly eat plant debris they find on a garden floor and under containers.
They can also be a pest of fruits such as berries, apricots, and peaches.
Unfortunately, if none of their favorites are available, earwigs may feed on whatever plants they can find.
Earwigs are often considered beneficial insects and are sometimes deliberately introduced to control aphids and other damaging insects.
Seeing only a few is more a cause for celebration than for panic.
Garden earwigs require control only when their damage outweighs their benefits.
Preventing Earwigs
Earwigs prefer dark, damp areas.
Look for leaky hoses that can be corrected or damp piles of wood that can be moved.
Remove excessive debris and trim overgrown plants to remove potential earwig habitats.
Any weeds near the garden should be pulled, as they could harbor earwigs.
Diatomaceous Earth.National Pesticide Information Center.
Michigan State University Plant & Pest Diagnostics.
