Do Earwigs Eat Plants? Find Out Here.

Earwigs are small, flattened insects with long antennae and pincers on their abdomen. They are a common pest in gardens and homes, and many people wonder if they eat plants. In this article, we will explore the diet of earwigs and whether or not they are a threat to your garden.

What Do Earwigs Eat?

Earwigs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet consists of a variety of insects, such as aphids and mites, as well as decaying plant matter. Earwigs also feed on fruits, vegetables, and flowers, making them a potential threat to garden plants.

Earwigs are most active at night and will hide during the day in dark, moist places such as under rocks, debris, and mulch. They are attracted to light and can often be found near porch lights or other outdoor lighting fixtures.

Are Earwigs Harmful to Plants?

While earwigs do eat plants, they usually only cause minor damage. They prefer to feed on decaying plant matter and insects rather than healthy plants. However, if earwig populations become too large or if there is a shortage of other food sources, they may turn to feeding on the leaves, flowers, and fruit of garden plants.

Earwigs are also known for chewing irregular holes in leaves and flowers. This can be unsightly but usually does not affect the overall health of the plant.

How to Control Earwig Populations

If you notice earwigs in your garden, there are several steps you can take to control their population:

• Remove debris and mulch from around plants to eliminate hiding places.
• Use yellow sticky traps to capture earwigs attracted to light.
• Set up traps using rolled-up newspaper or cardboard tubes filled with straw or shredded paper. Earwigs will crawl into the tubes to hide during the day, and you can dispose of them in the morning.
• Apply a natural insecticide, such as diatomaceous earth or neem oil, to garden plants to deter earwigs from feeding.
• Handpick earwigs from plants in the evening when they are most active.

FAQ

Can earwigs fly?

No, earwigs cannot fly. They have wings but are not strong enough to lift their body off the ground.

Do earwigs bite humans?

Earwigs do have pincers on their abdomen, but they are not venomous and rarely bite humans. If provoked or threatened, an earwig may use its pincers to defend itself, but this is uncommon.

Are earwigs harmful to humans?

No, earwigs are not harmful to humans. They do not transmit diseases and are not known to cause any health problems.

How do I prevent earwigs from entering my home?

To prevent earwigs from entering your home, seal cracks and gaps in doors, windows, and walls. Keep your home clean and dry, and eliminate clutter where earwigs may hide. Use weather stripping on doors and windows to keep them tightly sealed.

In conclusion, while earwigs do eat plants, they usually only cause minor damage. By taking steps to control their population and protect your garden plants, you can successfully coexist with these common insects.