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Have been chasing earwigs in the patch most of the summer. anyone know a good effective pesticide that will kill these guys? Tried Sevin, seemed to work for a couple weeks, now they are back. Have some Ortho Bug B Gone in the garage, has a picture of them right on the package going to dust tomorrow.

7/12/2003 12:54:52 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

You got what Sevin delivers. Two weeks. Now I know someone will chime in & say they lost an entire plant to Earwigs if I make this comment. But I will anyway.

Earwigs eat decaying organic matter. So unless something else is killing the plants, Earwigs are really only in your patch because you have established a healthy little ecosystem. They like cool dark, damp areas near decaying organic matter. (free hotel with unlimited room service)Which sounds just like the area beneath our walking boards to me.

All this aside. If it's been 2 weeks since the last Sevin application. I'd make another one. Not for Earwigs. But rather for SVB around here. Where are you?

Steve

7/12/2003 7:27:18 AM

I live in Denver Colorado. So from what I have heard the SVB doesnt live up here.

I have seen the earwigs on the leaves of the pumpkins at night. I have also seen them on some of the other plants in the yard. Lost an entire pot of Marigolds on the patio, ony bug I saw was earwigs. Now it looks like they are munching on another pot. Dusted them with Sevin as well.

As far as other bugs, only othe thing I have seen are bees and flies. I think the flies all hang out for the water.

I dusted again yesterday, will see what happens. Will keep an eye out for other bugs......

Noticed last night that only the west side of the patch has the damage, seemed strange.....

7/13/2003 8:08:57 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Well I've been wrong about Millipedes before so maybe earwigs are next. Check with your local extension office to make sure. The Earwigs around here only come in like that after something else has caused plant parts to die. They can smell (or otherwise sense) freshly killed plant material & come a running. But you could very well have a different situation where you are. Insect variations are the norm as we move about our vast country. Make sure.

Steve

7/13/2003 10:30:55 PM