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opiate69

(10,129 posts)
Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:09 PM Aug 2013

Earwigs in my corn :(

Dammit.. we had some nice corn coming in, and my wife pointed out to me that there were earwigs setting up camp in the leaves.. closer inspection leads me to believe they've made their way into the ears as well... so not cool.. I just sprayed the lot down with a dish soap solution, but I fear it's probably too late.. I also have some squash, beans and peppers in that area of the garden, and I'm hoping against hope that those'll be safe.

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Earwigs in my corn :( (Original Post) opiate69 Aug 2013 OP
There's usually earwigs in my Artichokes. Mr.Bill Aug 2013 #1
Thank you! They have had a feast with my basil. -nt CrispyQ Aug 2013 #2
I grow lots of Basil Mr.Bill Aug 2013 #3
We used to have a lot of toads in our area. CrispyQ Aug 2013 #7
My little dogs chase them around my yard. Mr.Bill Aug 2013 #8
Yeah... that was one of the sites I saw when I was googling.. some intersting ideas... opiate69 Aug 2013 #5
Oh, I hate earwigs! Curmudgeoness Aug 2013 #4
they'll eat the silks. mopinko Aug 2013 #6

Mr.Bill

(24,334 posts)
1. There's usually earwigs in my Artichokes.
Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:16 PM
Aug 2013

They don't seem to do any harm. I'm not sure, but I thought they eat other insects.

Just did some googling. They eat insects and plants. Here's some good info on getting rid of them.

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Earwigs

Mr.Bill

(24,334 posts)
3. I grow lots of Basil
Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:27 PM
Aug 2013

and never saw them there. I do have a unique situation in my garden, though. I have a huge amount of lizards and frogs that generally control the insects. We always see a few earwigs in the Artichokes, probably because the reptiles can't get to them in there.

CrispyQ

(36,538 posts)
7. We used to have a lot of toads in our area.
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 08:36 AM
Aug 2013

Until recently, I hadn't seen one in over a decade. Then one day, my cat was plastered against the basement window & lo & behold, there was a little toad stuck in there, hopping away, trying to get out. I rescued him & put him in our backyard. It was heartening to see one after so many years.

Mr.Bill

(24,334 posts)
8. My little dogs chase them around my yard.
Wed Aug 21, 2013, 12:20 PM
Aug 2013

But they don't know what to do with them once the catch them.

 

opiate69

(10,129 posts)
5. Yeah... that was one of the sites I saw when I was googling.. some intersting ideas...
Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:37 PM
Aug 2013

I might try the tuna can trap, I just question whether it'd attract them away from the buffet they're already gorging on...

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
4. Oh, I hate earwigs!
Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:31 PM
Aug 2013

They really do a lot of damage. I often find that they bore into my peppers but at least I can salvage the peppers by cutting away the parts that are eaten. I have never grown corn, but it sounds like a perfect place for them to hide and feast. Sorry I have no help for you.

mopinko

(70,265 posts)
6. they'll eat the silks.
Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:55 PM
Aug 2013

you wont get pollination. then they'll eat the tender parts of the ear.
they are why i don't grow corn.

eta- i am sure there a lot of diy traps out there. they are quite stupid.

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